Ihsan means doing things in the best possible way – whether in worship, in dealing with people, or even towards the environment. The Prophet taught us to worship Allah as if we see Him, and if we cannot see Him, to remember that He is always watching us. It reminds me to always be mindful, not because of people, but because of Allah.

Then, it connects to eschatology (the Hereafter). This world is only temporary, and every action will be judged. Those who believe and do good will be rewarded with Paradise, while those who reject will face punishment. So, Ihsan is actually the provision for the Hereafter. When we strive to perfect our worship and deeds sincerely, we are seeking Allah’s pleasure and, inshaAllah, His reward in Paradise.

For me, the main takeaway is to try to do everything with excellence and sincerity, no matter how small, because everything will count in the Hereafter.

I chose CFS IIUM because I like the Islamic environment and I feel it’s the best place for me to start my journey in economics.

One of the most unforgettable moments in my life was joining a nasyid competition during school. It was such a fun and meaningful experience that it actually led me to become the nasyid coach at my old school. I really enjoyed guiding the team, sharing tips, and helping them improve. It felt good to give back and stay connected with something I love which is singing.

After CFS, I plan to continue my degree at IIUM Gombak and aim for a career in economics or education, inshaAllah.

I also learned about niyyah (intention). Setting the right intention is super important because it decides whether our deeds are accepted by Allah. If we do something without a pure intention, it might not count. So we need to be sincere, clear, and consistent in our niyyah.

Then there’s ʿamal (good deeds) – things like prayer, fasting, zakat, hajj, and also everyday kindness. The point is not just doing the act, but doing it with the right intention and consistency. Good deeds benefit both us and the community.

Finally, there’s iḥsān (excellence in faith). It means worshipping Allah as if we see Him, or at least being aware that He sees us. It’s also about living with values like honesty, patience, humility, and compassion, and making them part of our character.

In short, the journey of acquiring ḥikmah is about combining worship, intention, good deeds, and iḥsān. When all these come together, that’s when real wisdom shows in our life.

Each act of worship has its own wisdom:

• Prayer (ṣalāh) builds awareness of Allah, keeps us away from immoral acts, and strengthens sincerity.

• Fasting (ṣawm) teaches self-control, empathy, and discipline. It reminds us that Allah is always watching and weakens the influence of Satan.

• Charity (zakāh) purifies both wealth and the heart. It reduces greed, cleanses sins, and helps the needy.

• Pilgrimage (ḥajj) trains believers to avoid disputes and indecent acts, while focusing fully on worship and good deeds.

In the end, worship is not just about rituals. It’s about shaping our character, building taqwa, and drawing closer to Allah. When done sincerely, ʿibādah becomes a path to true wisdom.

Praying with khushūʿ actually builds our character. It strengthens our relationship with Allah, prevents us from falling into sins, and shapes our akhlāq. Some of the values linked to khushūʿ are:

• Submission (ṭāʿah): obeying Allah sincerely and training discipline.

• Striving (jihād al-nafs): fighting laziness and distractions, staying consistent in prayer.

• Self-reflection (muḥāsabah): checking our actions and intentions, being aware of our shortcomings.

• Modesty (‘iffah): guarding ourselves from sinful acts and keeping moral integrity.

• Humility (tawāḍuʿ): removing pride, remembering we depend on Allah, especially in sujūd.

The impact of khushūʿ is huge – it builds a strong Islamic personality, improves self-control, and strengthens faith. In short, true ṣalāh isn’t just performed, it’s lived. It transforms the heart and actions, making us better inside and outside of prayer.

1. Ṣalāh (Prayer) Basics

To make prayer valid, a Muslim must fulfill:

Obligations (Pillars)
These include intention, standing (if able), takbir, reciting Al-Fatihah, bowing, prostration, final tashahhud, and salam. Order matters.

Conditions ✅
Must be clean from impurity, cover awrah, pray in the correct time, face the qiblah, and know how to pray.

Invalidators ❌
Talking, excessive movement, eating/drinking, exposing awrah, breaking wudu’, or turning away from qiblah can nullify prayer.

Sunnah Acts
Extra recommended actions like dua iftitah, saying “Amin,” tasbih in ruku’ & sujud, and maintaining khushu’.

2. Wudu’ (Ablution)

Wudu’ prepares us physically and spiritually before prayer.

Obligatory Parts
Intention, washing the face, arms to elbows, wiping part of the head, washing feet, and doing it in order.

Nullifiers
Using the toilet, deep sleep, loss of consciousness, and certain types of physical contact.

Sunnah Practices
Saying bismillah, rinsing mouth and nose, wiping ears, washing each part three times, and making dua after wudu’.

3. Tayammum (Dry Ablution)

Allowed when water is unavailable or harmful to use. It involves wiping the face and hands with clean earth with intention.

4. Khushu’ (Focus & Humility in Prayer)

Meaning:
Being fully focused, calm, humble, and aware that we are standing before Allah.

What Distracts Khushu’
Wandering thoughts, love of worldly matters, worries, and doubts.

How to Gain Khushu’
✔ Prepare early for prayer
✔ Pray at the beginning of time
✔ Wear clean clothes & choose a quiet place
✔ Understand what you recite
✔ Avoid praying while too hungry, full, sleepy, or needing the toilet
✔ Reduce unnecessary movement
✔ Keep your gaze at the place of sujud
✔ Remember you are speaking to Allah

Conclusion

Proper knowledge of prayer, purification, and inner focus helps turn ṣalāh from a routine into a meaningful spiritual connection with Allah. Khushu’ is the heart of prayer.

​The Meaning of the Verse

​A Call to Faith: Fasting is a way for believers to prove their faith, as correct faith is a condition for the fast to be valid.

​A Shared Tradition: Fasting was also prescribed for nations before us, such as the Jews and Christians. This history helps ease the burden and encourages us to do even better.

​The Goal is Taqwa: The ultimate purpose of fasting is to achieve Taqwa (mindfulness of Allah). It is described as being as careful as someone walking through a path of thorns.

​Levels and Conduct

​True Conduct: Fasting is not just about avoiding food; if a person does not leave lies and false conduct, the physical hunger has no value to Allah.

​Three Levels of Fasting:

​Minimum: Refraining from food, drink, and intimacy.

​Intermediary: Keeping the body (eyes, ears, tongue) away from sin.

​Optimal: Keeping the heart focused only on Allah.

​Key Virtues

​Sabr (Patience): Fasting builds patience in obeying Allah, avoiding prohibitions, and facing life's trials.

​Rahmah (Mercy/Empathy): It humbles a person through hunger, allowing them to feel the suffering of the poor.

​Generosity: There is a great reward for feeding others who are fasting; you earn the same reward as the fasting person without decreasing theirs.