I always wondered who a ‘Muhsin’ was? I had heard this word often, yet I really didn’t know what entailed the characteristic of a true Muhsin. When I came across a verse in the Qur’an, I found my answer.
الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٣٤﴾۔
“Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good۔”
[Al i Imran: 134]
I have reflected on the concept of being the ‘doer of good’ deeper. This verse ends beautifully with a profound statement: “Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) loves those who are Muhsineen”.
A Muhsin is defined as a person who is truly kind, compassionate and loving. He is one, who does ihsan on others. He is one who continues to do without expecting anything in return.
The answer to what constitutes ihsan is very clearly and wonderfully provided in the very same verse. I mapped this to myself being a Muhsin; What do I need to do?
Ihsan is:
1- Spending (in the way of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) from my possessions that He has blessed me with. Be it:
- wealth
- time
- talent
- knowledge
- ability
Ihsan calls for spending in all kinds of situations; whether I am comfortable in life or facing a difficult, tough or highly challenging condition, I must spend from what I have.
Ihsan is to facilitate others (especially those who are my relatives, neighbors, friends, associates, ordinary folks etc) and fulfill their dire need/s with real sincerity.
2- It includes surmounting my most detrimental emotion of anger/rage that is aimed against the person who has actually (or perceptually) wronged me. It is becoming neutralized and calm in the moment when I would rather express. This is doing a real favor on the other person, especially if s/he has harmed me (or have hurt immensely).
Anger could also be against a system, opinion, decision, preconceived notion, idea, etc. that can easily result in a strong bias or prejudice. So, to be able to curtail that and channel it positively is the key to being a Muhsin.
3- Ihsan is softly forgiving others — for whatever wrong/s they may have done mistakenly knowingly. They may have not directly wronged me, but maybe they have wronged someone I love. Yet, I must forgive if I want to become a Mushin.
What Does Not Place Me in the Rank of a True Muhsin
- Spending my blessings sparingly, partially or whenever that is easily available is fine, but that would not place me in the ranks of the Muhsineen.
- Overcoming my anger with any other (as a reaction) after taking revenge would NOT place me in the ranks of the Muhsineen. Forgiving completely will.
- Leaving the matter to Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) to take care of anyone for the actual (or perceived) wrong that has been done to me is fine, but that would not place me in the ranks of the Muhsineen. Completely forgiving and never looking will.
So, Ihsan entails:
- Being honest with my divinely given, prime, earthly responsibility of obeying Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ)
- Performing the righteous deeds as ordained by Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ)
- Holding on to the truth at all times
- Striving with perseverance and patience to please Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ)
This is, in fact, the success formula for mankind is given clearly in Surah al-Asr.
إِلَّا الَّذِين آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ ﴿٣﴾۔
“Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.”
[Al-Asr:3]
May I take heed and submit to Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ)’s will and succeed eternally by receiving His love for each one of us as a consequence of becoming genuinely Muhsin (in this life). Aameen.
