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Islam Basics

Islam, Iman and Ihsan

Islam, iman and ihsan are three levels of one religion: what a Muslim does, what a Muslim believes, and doing both beautifully. Here is what each one means.

The open carved doors of a cream masjid with a teal dome, warm light glowing inside, a star-tiled path, a brass lantern and climbing flowers
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    Islamis-LAAM · what a Muslim does

    Islam is the outward side of the religion: the acts of worship that shape a Muslim’s life. It is built on five pillars, from a single sentence of faith to a journey made once in a lifetime.

    These are the parts of the religion other people can see. A Muslim says the shahada, prays, gives zakat, fasts in Ramadan, and makes Hajj if they are able.

    What this means for a Muslim

    • It is the part of the religion that can be seen.
    • Every pillar is built on the shahada.
    • The five pillars have their own page here.
    The five pillars of Islam →
  2. 2
    Imanee-MAAN · what a Muslim believes

    Iman means faith. It rests on six beliefs that every Muslim holds in their heart and lives by: belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His prophets, the Last Day, and His decree.

    Iman is the inward side. No one can see what is in a heart, but what a person believes shapes what they say and do.

    What this means for a Muslim

    • It is held in the heart, not counted in actions.
    • Belief in Allah is the first and greatest of the six.
    • The six pillars of faith have their own page here.
    The six pillars of faith →
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    Ihsanih-SAAN · doing it beautifully

    Ihsan means excellence. In the same hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described it as worshipping Allah as though you see Him, and knowing that even if you do not see Him, He sees you.

    Ihsan is not one more thing to add to the list. It is the care a Muslim brings to everything, and it shows in three parts of life.

    Three parts of ihsan

    • With Allah. Giving Allah your full attention when you pray and remember Him, with your heart and not only your body.
    • With people. Being kind, fair and honest with everyone, and forgiving people, even when they have not been kind to you.
    • In everything you do. Doing every task as well as you can, whether it is work or schoolwork, a drawing, or a chore at home, and trying to make it beautiful.
    Practise a prayer step by step →
The five pillars of IslamThe acts of worship that islam is built on. The six pillars of faithThe beliefs that iman rests on.

Learn it another way

Sing the five pillarsA short song with one line for each pillar. Sing the six beliefsA short song with one line for each belief.

Common questions

What is the difference between islam, iman and ihsan?
Islam is what a Muslim does, iman is what a Muslim believes, and ihsan is doing both beautifully, as though you see Allah.
What does ihsan mean?
Ihsan means excellence. It is worshipping Allah with full attention, knowing that He sees you even though you do not see Him. It also shows in how you treat people, with kindness, fairness, honesty and forgiveness, and in doing every task as well and as beautifully as you can.
Where do the three come from?
From a well-known hadith in which the angel Jibril, peace be upon him, came to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and asked him about islam, about iman, and about ihsan.