The Three Dimensions of Islam

• Islam involves actions, intentions, and prayer and includes the inner dimensions of Islamic worship

Three Dimensions of Islam

• Islam includes three dimensions: Islam (Actions), Iman (Beliefs), and Ihsan (Feelings)

Ihsan: The Inner Dimension of Islam

• Ihsan is considered the inner beauty of Islam.
• Tazkiyya means inner purification.
• Akhlaq represents inner attributes.
• Tasawwuf is derived from the word Sufi.

Tazkiyya: Human Potential

• Humans possess potential for both good and evil
• Al-Shams verses 7-10 discusses the soul and Him perfected it, and imbued it with moral failings as well as consciousness of God
• Success occurs when one purifies the soul or the opposite when the soul is corrupted

Attaining Rank

• Humans can attain the highest rank and fall to the lowest
• Al-Teen: 4 indicates humans were created in the best stature
• Al-A'raaf: 179 indicates those who are heedless are like animals or even worse

Imam Ghazali's Understanding of Tasawwuf

• Tasawwuf helps attain inner purification.
• Tasawwuf helps attain certainty.
• Imam Ghazali experienced a spiritual crisis and quest for certainty.

Al-Ghazali's Epistemology (Theory of Knowledge)

• Three types of knowledge exist: Sensory, Rational/Intellectual, and Experiential
• Sensory Knowledge involves perception of reality through the five senses
• Rational/Intellectual Knowledge involves perception of reality through reason
• Experiential Knowledge involves perception of reality through direct experience

Attaining Certainty

• Levels of Certainty include Ilm al-Yaqeen, Ain al-Yaqeen, and Haqq al-Yaqeen
• Ilm al-Yaqeen (Knowledge) is attained by knowledge
• Ain al-Yaqeen (Visual Observation) is attained by visual observation
• Haqq al-Yaqeen (Direct Experience) is attained by direct experience and considered the highest level of certainty

The Proof of the Sun

• Jalaluddin Rumi suggests that if you want proof of the sun do not avert your face from it
• Al-Ankabut: 69 says those who strive hard will be guided onto the path of God and God is with the doers of good

Praying Salah with Ihsan

• Salah has different meanings: Sending blessings, seeking blessings, any physical act of worship, and mandatory daily prayers

Importance of Salah

• Salah is one of the five pillars of Islam.
• Al-Nisa: 103 indicates prayer a sacred duty linked to particular times.
• Al-Ankabut: 45 says Salah keeps one away from shameful and evil deeds.

Purpose of Salah

• Al-Taaha: 14 indicates there is no god but Allah and one should serve him only and establish regular prayer for remembrance

Importance of Khushoo

• Khushoo refers to humility
• Those who offer their salah in a state of humble submissiveness are successful.
• Successful people turn away from all that is frivolous.

Reality of Khushoo in Salah

• To attain Khushoo' there are internal states such as Awareness, Understanding, Reverence, Awe/Fear, Hope, and Shame/Modesty

Causes of Noble Feelings during Salah

• Awareness comes from solicitude and concern.
• Understanding comes from perpetuating concentration.
• Reverence for Allah comes from Awareness of the Majesty and Glory of Allah (S.W.T), and humility of the self
• Awe and Fear comes from awareness of the Infinite Might and Ability of Allah (S.W.T).
• Hope comes from the awareness of the Infinite Mercy of Allah (S.W.T).
• Shame and modesty are attained by becoming aware of one's shortcomings.

Striving for Khushoo Before Salah

• Azan involves awareness of the Greatness of Allah (S.W.T).
• Wuzoo involves attainment of outward and inward purification.
• Facing the Qibla involves turning the whole self to the remembrance of Allah (S.W.T)

Striving for Khushoo in Salah

• Takbeer Tahreema involves disconnecting completely from any awareness of the world
• Qiyam involves recitation of the Qur'an with feelings
• Rukoo requires humility and submission in front of the Greatness of Allah (S.W.T)
• Sujood involves humility and submission in front of the Greatness of Allah (S.W.T)