After discussed about the use of the terms ‘taubat‘ and ‘hijrah‘. This time, I will share a bit of the terms ‘ridho‘ and ‘ikhlas‘ and their appropriate use.
There was an ‘ikhtilaf’ (difference of opinion) between ulama about the meaning of the ‘ridho’, some said that the ‘ridho’ was a ‘gift’ (الاحوال) from Allah Ta’ala. Some say that ‘ridho’ is ‘the result of effort’ (المقامات). However, the meaning of the ‘ridho’ can be combined, the beginning of the ‘ridho’ is ‘the result of effort’ then the peak of the ‘ridho‘ is ‘the gift of Allah Ta’ala’
Shaykh Imam Abdul Karim bin Hawazin Al-Qusyairi in the Book of Ar-Risalah Al-Qusyairiyah in the chapter ridho (باب الرضا) said that he heard (الا ستاذ ابا على الدقاق) saying that the ridho did not mean you not feel the test given by Allah, it meant you not reject Allah Ta’ala’s decisions and destiny.
‘Ikhlas’ in this book,
(قال الا ستاذ) والاخلاص افراد ااحق سبحانه فى اطاعة بالقصد وهو ان يريد بطا عته التقرب الى الله سبحانه دون شىء اخر من تصنع لمخلوق او اكتساب محمدة عند الناس او محبة مدح من لخلق او معنى من المعانى سوى التقرب به الى الله تعالى
‘Ikhlas‘ is only Allah in obedience, wanting all worship aimed at Allah is not made to please creatures, do not want to be praised by people, or want to be praised by creatures or other meanings, all only used to be closer to Allah
يصح ان يقال الا خلاص التوقى عن ملاحظة الاشخاص وقد ورد خبر مسند, ان النبى صلى اللة عليه واله وسلم اخبر عن جبريل عليه السلام عن الله سبحانه وتعالى انه قال الاخلاص سر من سرى استودعته قلب من احببته من عبادى,
There is an opinion saying that ‘ikhlas‘ is guarding the hearts from people, there is a history of the Prophet SAW that the Prophet SAW told Gabriel a.s about Allah Ta’ala. Allah says ‘ikhlas‘ is My secret, I put it in the heart of My beloved servant.
وقال الجنيد الاخلاص سر بين الله و بين العبد لا يعلمه فيكتبه و لا شيطان فيفسده و لا هوى فيميله
Imam Junaid said that ‘ikhlas‘ is between Allah and His servants, unknown angels or unknown demons (satan) or unknown passions .
(You can further see the video on Ustadz H. Abdul Somad, Lc., D.E.S.A., Ph.D (Youtube: Ustadz Abdul Somad Official) in Qiro’ah Ar-Risalah Al-Qusyairiyah)
So, when we have disasters or trials or tests we should not use the term ‘ikhlas to accept Allah’s destiny’ but ‘ridho to accept Allah’s destiny and provisions’. Because ‘ridho‘ means accepting the destiny and provision given by Allah Ta’ala, while ‘ikhlas‘ means all worship is directed to Allah Ta’ala not to others. Allah Almighty