MEMAHAMI ISLAM || HAKIKAT DAN CARA MENCAPAI IKHSAN DALAM BERAMAL.

Summary

This sermon explores the Islamic concept of **Ihsan**, which means worshipping Allah with the highest level of sincerity and excellence. The speaker emphasizes that true **Ihsan** is achieved by recognizing that we are always under Allah's observation, purifying our intentions, and acknowledging His infinite goodness. Using the story of Khalifah Umar bin Khattab and a young shepherd as an example of honesty and integrity, the speaker encourages Muslims to strive for excellence, act with sincerity, and be mindful of their actions and words, knowing that they are always seen by Allah.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ihsan means worshiping Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, remember that He is always watching you.
• 😀 To achieve Ihsan, one must feel the presence of Allah in their actions and always strive for excellence in their deeds.
• 😀 The intention behind every action is crucial. Every deed is judged by its sincerity and intention (niyyah).
• 😀 Sincerity in deeds is essential—do everything for the sake of Allah, not for worldly recognition or status.
• 😀 Recognizing Allah’s mercy and kindness motivates us to repay Him through acts of worship and good deeds.
• 😀 Even small acts of worship, when done sincerely, are highly valued by Allah, whereas large acts with wrong intentions may not be accepted.
• 😀 A story of Khalifah Umar ibn Khattab illustrates the concept of Ihsan: even if no one is watching, one should act as if Allah is observing them.
• 😀 Strive to act excellently in everything, whether it is worship or worldly tasks, as everything is an opportunity to please Allah.
• 😀 The importance of being aware of Allah’s omnipresence—whether we are in public or private, our actions should be consistent and sincere.
• 😀 Achieving Ihsan requires working with excellence and integrity, ensuring that our deeds are always aligned with Allah's commands.

Q & A

What is Ihsan in Islam?

Ihsan in Islam refers to worshiping and obeying Allah as if you can see Him. If you cannot see Him, you should know that Allah is watching you. It emphasizes a higher level of devotion, where actions are done with sincerity and awareness of Allah’s presence.

What is the first step to achieving Ihsan?

The first step to achieving Ihsan is to feel that you are constantly being watched by Allah. This sense of being 'controlled' or observed by Allah ensures that your actions are sincere and aligned with His will.

How did the story of Khalifah Umar bin Khattab illustrate the concept of Ihsan?

The story of Khalifah Umar bin Khattab highlights Ihsan through the example of a young shepherd. Despite being alone with his sheep, the shepherd remained honest about the number of goats he owned, showing that his consciousness of Allah kept him truthful even when no one else was watching.

Why is sincerity (niyyah) important in Islam?

Sincerity, or the correct niyyah, is crucial because every action in Islam is judged by its intention. Even if an action appears large or significant, if the intention behind it is not for Allah’s sake, it may not be accepted. The focus should always be on doing things for the sake of Allah, not for worldly recognition.

What does the phrase 'Innamal A'malu binniyat' mean and why is it significant?

'Innamal A'malu binniyat' translates to 'Actions are judged by intentions.' This phrase highlights the importance of having a pure, sincere intention behind every action. It is significant because it determines whether the action will be accepted by Allah, even if the outward action seems insignificant.

How can we improve our niyyah (intention)?

To improve niyyah, we should constantly remind ourselves that everything we do should be for the sake of Allah. We must purify our hearts and renew our intentions regularly, avoiding any desires for worldly recognition or rewards.

What is meant by recognizing the goodness of Allah (Ihsan) in our lives?

Recognizing Allah’s goodness involves understanding that all the blessings in our lives—health, wealth, and opportunities—are from Allah. This awareness should motivate us to show gratitude by obeying Allah and fulfilling our duties with sincerity and devotion.

Why do some people fail to fully obey Allah?

Some people fail to fully obey Allah because they do not recognize or appreciate His goodness. If they fail to realize that Allah is the source of all their blessings, they may not feel motivated to worship Him sincerely or follow His commands wholeheartedly.

What is the importance of doing work to the best of our ability in Islam?

In Islam, it is important to do work to the best of our ability because we are accountable to Allah for every action. Work should be done with excellence, sincerity, and integrity, regardless of whether others are watching. It reflects the sincerity of our devotion to Allah.

What are the three main principles of achieving Ihsan in Islam?

The three main principles of achieving Ihsan in Islam are: 1) To act with sincerity and purity of intention (Ikhlas), 2) To perform actions with excellence and to the best of one’s ability (Ittqan), and 3) To avoid harming others while striving to improve oneself and help others (Ihsan to others).