Background
Ihsan Centre was established in November 2010 by a group of individuals coming from professional and academic backgrounds - Ihsan Centre aims to promote excellence in knowledge, culture and creativity.
Why Ihsan Centre?
Ihsan means excellence, perfection, proficiency or devotion. It is derived from the Arabic trilateral verb Ha-Su-Na (???) which means to be good, pleasant or beautiful. Ihsan is one of the divine objectives of the sacred law and that is why Allah has enjoined upon the Muslims to strive for excellence in all their affairs:
"Indeed Allah commands justice and Ihsan (excellence and the doing of good)" (Surah an-Nahl:90)
"Have Ihsan for Allah loves those who have Ihsan". (Surah al-Baqrah: 195)
Thus to have Ihsan means to do things in the best possible manner, to strive for excellence, efficiency and to be good - a fundamental belief of the makeup of Ihsan Centre.
The vision of Ihsan Centre is rooted in the above verses of the Qur'an as well as the famous hadith of Abu Ya'la Shaddad ibn Aws in which he narrates that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
"Verily, Allah has enjoined excellence (ihsan) with regard to everything. So, when you kill, kill in a good way; when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way; so every one of you should sharpen his knife, and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably."
(Muslim in Kitab al-Sayd: Hadith no.5055 and At-Tirmidhi in Abwab al -Diyat: Hadith no.1409)
Historically the Muslim nation was one which was characterised by Ihsan. As a result she excelled in spirituality, politics, science and technology. Through its events, activities and publications Ihsan Centre hopes to rekindle the spirit of Ihsan by enabling and empowering people to achieve excellence.
Our Vision
"Promoting excellence in knowledge, culture and creativity"
Our Objectives
- Organise and deliver high quality Islamic courses by renowned scholars and students of knowledge
- Set up and manage an evening/weekend school for young children in order to transmit shariah knowledge, support academic achievement and encourage positive citizenship
- Organise educational trips and excursions supervised by Islamic scholars
- Organise events which highlight and promote Islamic culture and creativity
- Create and manage a dynamic website which acts as a resource centre
Our Logo, why a bird?
The branding of Ihsan Centre is characterised by traditional Arabic calligraphy which spells Ihsan and depicts a bird. This is not an accident of design. Birds have long been a symbol of the soul. They represent the soul, flying free of the earth-bound body and seeking the heavens. birds represent a passage between the physical and spiritual worlds. In flight they depict freedom and are likened to angels as they both have feathers, wings and the ability to fly. The qualities in birds can transcend and manifest on human level endowing gravitas, sublimity, meritocracy and integrity. Birds are also a symbol of elegance and knowledge as is in the case of the Hoopoe, which was a trusted messenger transmitting news between Sulayman and the Queen of Sheba.
It was the flocks of birds that protected the Ka'ba and its surroundings by pelting the the People of the Elephant who came to attack the noble sanctuary. And who can forget the dove nest and the cobweb which became a symbol of protection for the Prophet during the hijrah as they hid in the cave from the enemy.
And indeed, the souls of the martyrs reside in hearts of green birds that freely fly and frequent the Throne of the Almighty from which are suspended lanterns, where they rest.