Islam, Iman, and Ihsan

• The following exchange, as related by Omar Ibn al-Khattab, between the Angel Gabriel and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon both of them) gives us a concise description of Islam (submission), Iman (faith), and Ihsan (perfection of goodness).

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"One day, while we were with the messenger of Allah, a man approached with intensely white clothes and intensely black hair, no visible signs of travelling, and none of us knew him. He sat facing the Prophet (peace be upon him) and rested his knees towards the Prophet's knees and placed his palms on the Prophet's thighs and he said:

"O Muhammad, inform me about Islam (submission)."  The messenger of Allah replied, "Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah (God) and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), to establish the prayers, to give the zakat (alms), to fast Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House (the Kaaba in Mecca) if you are able to do so."   He (the man) said, "You are truthful," and we were puzzled at his asking, then affirming.

He said: "So, inform me about Iman (faith)."   He replied, "To believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day; and to believe in divine destiny, providential (good) and direful (bad)." He said, "You are truthful."

He said, " So, inform me about Ihsan (perfection of goodness)."  He said, "To worship Allah as though you are seeing Him - for if you do not see Him, He sees you."

He said, "So, inform me about the Hour." He replied, "The one questioned knows no more about it than the questioner."  He said, "So, inform me about its signs."  He said, "The slave will give birth to her mistress and you will see the barefooted, naked, destitute herdsman competing to build lofty buildings."  Then the man set off, and I stayed for a while.  Then he (the prophet) said, "O Omar, do you know who the questioner was?"  I said, "Allah and His messenger know best." He replied, "It was Jibreel come to you to teach you your religion."

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