Skip to main content

The Highest Degree of Iḥsān

Imām Ibn Rajab

A discussion surrounding the reality of iḥsān (attaining perfection in worship).

Al-Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Rajab relates:

“Ibrāhīm ibn Adham said: ‘The highest degree [of Iḥsān] is to cut off [from everything] except your Lord. To seek comfort from Him with your heart, mind, and all your limbs. To the point where you do not possess hope from anything except your Lord. You do not fear except your own sin. Your love for Him becomes so firmly rooted in your heart that nothing could ever cause it to waiver. If you were to reach such a state, you would find yourself lacking concern over [your place on earth], be it land or sea, plain or mountains.

Rather your yearning to meet your beloved [Lord] is like a thirsty person before [drinking] cold water, or the yearning of a hungry person before [eating] a wholesome meal.

Ibrāhīm ibn Adham

The remembrance of Allāh would be sweeter to you than the taste of honey or pure uncontaminated water for a thirsty person on a hot day.'”

Source: Jāmiʿ al-ʿUlūm wa-al-Ḥikam: 136
Translated by: Riyāḍ al-Kanadī

Published: October 19, 2022
Edited: October 23, 2022

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Most Popular: Last 30 Days