Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Allah Ilayk

Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Allah Ilayk (And Do Good as Allah Has Been Good to You) is a treatise on Islamic ethics and social benevolence authored by Abd al-Malik bin Qasim Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla…+1. The work focuses on the duty of showing kindness, fulfilling the needs of others, and practicing various forms of benevolence (ihsan) in gratitude for the favors bestowed by God Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla….

Purpose and Scope

The author frames the treatise around the reality that human life is subject to hardships, grief, and tribulations, creating a continuous need for supportive companions and sincere aid Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla…. He emphasizes that relieving distress and doing good are not exclusive to the wealthy or influential, since distress affects people of all social strata and every individual possesses some capacity to benefit others—whether through wealth, social influence, labor, physical help, or knowledge Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla….

The work defines ihsan terminologically as performing what is religiously required in an excellent manner, citing the famous hadith of Gabriel: أن تعبد الله كأنك تراه، فإن لم تكن تراه فإنه يراك ("To worship Allah as though you see Him; and if you do not see Him, He surely sees you") Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla…. Citing classical commentators such as Ibn Kathir and modern scholars such as Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di, the author highlights ihsan as the highest station of obedience, encompassing both spiritual devotion to God and practical assistance to creation Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla…+1.

Exemplars and Scriptural Proofs

The book draws on Quranic verses and prophetic traditions to illustrate that God rewards benevolence with divine favor, citing verses such as هَلْ جَزَاءُ الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَّا الْإِحْسَانُ ("Is the reward for good [anything] but good?") and explaining that the "increase" (ziyadah) promised to the doers of good in the Hereafter refers to gazing upon the Countenance of God Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla….

To exemplify these principles, the author presents models of altruism from the lives of the prophets and historical figures:

• The Prophets: Yusuf (Joseph), who treated his brothers kindly and provisioned them despite their past harm; Musa (Moses), who drew water for the two vulnerable women at the well of Madyan; and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, whom Khadijah praised for supporting the weak, assisting the destitute, and honoring guests Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla….
• Scholars: Ibn Taymiyyah, whose persistent efforts to fulfill the personal needs of people were documented by Ibn al-Qayyim Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla….
• Kindness to Animals: Traditions describing divine forgiveness granted to a sinful woman who provided water to a thirsty dog, contrasted with the condemnation of a woman who starved a cat to death Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla…+1.

Forms and Benefits of Benevolence

The treatise outlines several practical avenues through which a Muslim can exercise ihsan, including:

• Intercession and Social Influence (al-Jah): Assisting others by advocating on their behalf, drawing on the Prophet's instruction اشفعوا تؤجروا ("Intercede and you will be rewarded") and his intercession for Mughith Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla….
• Disseminating Knowledge (al-Ilm): Instructing the unlearned, directing the confused, and issuing sound guidance Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla….
• Supplication for Believers: Seeking forgiveness for Muslim men and women Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla….
• Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil: Engaging in moral guidance characterized by requisite knowledge, wisdom, and patience Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla…+1.
• Charity and Providing Water: Meeting physical necessities, easing debts, and providing public drinking water, recounting historical accounts such as al-Hakim al-Naysaburi constructing a public watering place Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla….

The work concludes by enumerating the virtues and spiritual fruits of benevolence, such as securing a favorable death (husn al-khatimah), softening the heart, gaining elevation in this life and the next, and warding off calamities Wa Ahsin Kama Ahsana Alla….