RECLAIMING THE BEAUTY OF AHSAN

DAY 8 

RECLAIMING THE BEAUTY OF AHSAN 

Why is this concept not so widely known?

It is probably not such a case that we have not heard the words Ahsan, Adl or Tawheed or Khalifa. The problem is the application of it. And the problem is the inability and unwillingness to apply these concepts while engaging with women’s issues, especially the issues emanating because of discriminatory personal law. So there is a layer of non-applicability. There has been so much discussion around the Islamic legalities and jurisprudence that nobody really knows that there is something like an Islamic philosophy and theology and cosmology. There are multiple verses in the Quran on goodness, kindness, charity, patience, tolerance, love and compassion. We do talk about it as well but when it comes to women’s issues, all is conveniently forgotten. And we do not use it as a framework of reference for all our laws and jurisprudence. They come first but are actually not even spoken about. 

What is Quran’s take on the intellect/mind/thinking?

There has been so much emphasis in the Quran itself on thinking, reflecting, using ones intellect, on reasoning and use of akl. Faith does not simply mean observance of rituals but also using our intellect, to see, to hear, to sense, to understand, observe, seek and to inquire. Verse 47:24 says, Do they not reflect upon the Quran? Or do hearts have locks upon them? The verse 8:22 says, the worse creatures in the eyes of Allah are those who do not use reason. Hence it is our responsibility to not just highlight these concepts but also looks at ways in which they can be applied in our daily lives and interactions. 

What do you mean by the ethical framework of Islam?

The ethical framework involves looking at Islam from a value based perspective. What are basic values and principles of Islam. What ideology does it propagate? In the previous articles we looked at Tawheed not just as a religious concept but as a concept which has value also in its applicability in human interactions. We saw the concept of Khalifa, Qiwamah and Wilaya - where all human beings are agents of Allah meant to maintain harmony, protect and support and balance. Similarly the values of justice and equality; how can we make them real for us in our daily lives? As we live our lives today, we see that the gap between the what is expected of us as human beings and what we actually have landed up doing. 

So what is Ahsaan?

To the concepts of tawheed, khalifa, qiwamah and wilaya we add the value of ahsan. The root of the word, ahsan is hsn which is a combination of beauty and goodness. All other derivatives like hasan, ahsan, husn carry the same meaning of beauty and goodness combined. God is called asma-ul-husna. God is beauty and goodness combined. Ahsan is an act of seeing God, to be in the presence of God, to be in the presence of beauty and goodness. Because Allah is beauty/goodness, is it not inevitable that it becomes a central theme of Islam? The word ahsan appears 194 times in the Quran only goes to show its relevance in the Islamic framework. The creator, who is ahsan, has to by default create a universe which is ahsan. All that exists in this universe, including all living beings are beauty and goodness combined. Are we not attracted to beauty and goodness? Don’t we love to be in nature, on a beach, or surrounded by greenery or by a brook? Do we not love to listening to good music or a play or a dance, a painting? Don’t we all love the beauty of a child’s laughter? 

What are the relevant Quranic verses regarding ahsaan?

The verse 23:14 says, god is utmost beauty and goodness 

Verse 39:23 says the message of god is also beauty/ goodness 

Verse 32:7 says, through beauty/goodness Allah created everything. The act of creation itself is an act of beautifying and making good. 

Verse 95:4 says, Allah created human beings in the most beautiful/good fashion.  So the creator, the process and the creation are all embodiments of ahsan i.e. beauty and goodness. Matter does not end here. We are also expected to further manifest this goodness and beauty. 

Verse 28:77 says, manifest beauty/goodness as they have been manifested upon you and do not seek corruption upon earth. Anything that is unjust, unfair. 

Verse 2:83 says, manifest ahsan to parents and kinsfolk, to orphans and the vulnerable and the needy. And speak good to people and give zakat and pray. 

Remember as khalifas on earth it is our responsibility to maintain harmony and balance [tawheed] and manifest beauty and goodness [ahsaan]

What is the connect between ahsan and adl? 

There is a clear connection between ahsaan and adl or justice. In verse 16:90, Allah enjoins justice, kindness and the doing of good to kith and kin and forbids all that is shameful, evil and oppressive. He exhorts you so that you may be mindful. Justice is crowned by goodness. 

What are the implications of ahsan on gender relations?

Verse 30:21 says, I have created spouses from among yourselves for you to live with in tranquility. God ordained love and compassion between you. So ahsan forms the basis of the partnership between the woman and the man. And the purpose is to stay in peace. Love and compassion leads to peace. And if the basic foundation of the relationship is peaceful, imbued with love, care and concern and respect for each other, the family and thus the larger society will automatically be in harmony. 

Which other verses in Quran are comparable or closer to the concept of ahsan?

There are many, some are given below:

1. Righteousness is not that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but true righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, last day, angels, the book, the prophets and gives wealth, inspite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, needy, traveler, those who ask and for freeing slaves and who establishes prayers and gives zakat and those who fulfil their promise and those who are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true and it is those who are righteous. [2:177]

2. Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving [help] to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.[16:90]

3. Is the reward for good [anything] but good? [55:60]

4. 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 [3:134]

5. And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good. [7:56]

6. There is not upon the doers of good any cause [for blame]. [ 9:91]

7. Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you; and give good tidings to the doers of good.[22:37]

8. And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good. [28:14]

And many more in the following verses as well where Allah has commanded human beings to do good and be good. 

37:80, 37:105, 37:110, 37:121, 39:34, 77:44, 31:3, 29:69, 16:128, 3:148, 5:85, 46:12, 51:16

Reference: 

• Ethics of Ihsan: Beauty and Goodness in Muslim Family, Series of Knowledge Building Webinar, Musawah 

• Quran.com