The Third Dimension: Ihsan and Sufism (week 9)

Question 1

What is ihsan?

Answer 1

it means doing what is good and beautiful but more importantly it is:

“Doing what is beautiful means that you should worship God as if you see Him, for even if you do not see Him, He sees you.”’

• Hadith of Gabriel

Question 2

What is a muhsin?

Answer 2

Someone who does what is good and beautiful

Question 3

What are the three levels of perfection?

Answer 3

1. Islam
2. Iman
3. Ihsan

Question 4

How can this be related to practicing Islam?

Answer 4

1. islam - muslim - one who submits.
2. iman - mu-min - one who has faith
3. ihsan - Muhsin - one who does what is good and beautiful

Question 5

provide a quote about doing what is beautiful

Answer 5

Do what is beautiful, as God has done what is beautiful to you (Q 28:78).

Question 6

What does ihsan complement?

Answer 6

it complements islam and iman just like how right motive compelemts right action and understanding

Question 7

Why is a muhsin loved by God.

Answer 7

they are a sincere worshipper of God who does things out of love voluntarily and not as a duty.

Question 8

How does a muhsin live?

Answer 8

Muhsin lives as if in constant divine presence (‘Ihsan is to worship God as if you see Him’) = in constant remembrance (dhikr) of God

Question 9

What are some concepts closely associated with ihsan?

Answer 9

seeing God
sincerity
God-wariness
love
wholesomeness
fitra
the trust
the most beautiful names of God

Question 10

What can be formulated as the goal of Sufis?

Answer 10

1. to know and experience God directly
2. to experience the oneness of God through devotion to God.
3. to have a direct personal encounter with God
4. to beauty yourself to a perfect person so that God is content with you
5. to have inner certitude - soul at peace.

Question 11

What is the moth image?

Answer 11

• the moth image: Sufis see themselves as lovers of God in ways moth is attracted to light.

Question 12

What can it be characterised as?

Answer 12

islamic mysticism

Question 13

What are some key characteristics of Sufism?

Answer 13

regular social responsibilites

strong mater-disciple relationship

Question 14

What is sufism subject to?

Answer 14

they are subject to false accusations - antimoniansim - disliked by literalists and ultra conservatives

Question 15

what are some common characteristics of sufis?

Answer 15

Love of beauty (often expressed in beautiful poetry)

Discussion of the heart and the qualities (i.e., virtues) that should adorn it (polishing the mirror of one’s heart)

Self-blame rather than criticising others

Emphasis on divine mercy while recognizing divine wrath

Selfless action (no egotism > chivalry/futuwwa)

Question 16

What is futuwwa?

Answer 16

it is the ethics followed by sufis in order to attain the spiritual perfection they desire