"A muslim when he endeavors to do something, he seeks to excell in (perfect) it"
Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim
'Allathee khalaqal Mawta wal Hayaata li-yabluwakum 'ayyukum 'ahsanu 'amalaa: Wahuwal Azeezu-ghafuur"
Translation: He who created death and life, so that he may test you which of you is best in conduct: And He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. [67:2]
Pause and reflect for a minute. This could very well be your life purpose, your search ends with Ihsan.
Abu Ya’la Shaddad ibn Aus, (radiyallahu ‘anhu), reported that the Messenger of Allah, (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam), said:
“Verily, Allah has enjoined ihsan with regard to everything. So, when you kill, kill in a good way; when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way; so everyone of you should sharpen his knife, and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably.” [Muslim]
Note: "Kill in a good way" has been explained by scholars to mean even when the law permits to kill a creature, torture, injustice, and cruelty should be avoided by all means.
So what is Ihsan?
The closest one word in meaning to the arabic Ihsan is Exellence, (to perfect in beauty).
For a deeper understanding let's go back to the hadeeth of Angel Gibril (Alayhi Salaam) in which The Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) states,
"[Ihsan is] to worship God as though you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, then indeed He sees you." [Al-Bukhari and Al-Muslim]
In a holistic (more comprehensive) definition, it is to perform a good deed in excellence with total awareness that Allah is watching you. Therefore you do what is pleasant to Allah in the right way, and the right intention (sincerity) beautifully and completely. Hard work with God consciousness at all times. Now, you know that you don't want to be sloppy when your boss is over your shoulder, what about your Creator?.
The Messenger of Allah, (salla Allahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah loves that when anyone of you does a job he should perfect it” [Al-Bayhaqi].
We should know and remember that heedlessness is what is hindering the progress of Islam and muslims. We are becoming increasingly sloppy in our ritual acts of worship, and lazier in seeking the bounties of Allah. We are neglecting education, more and more muslims are living off welfare (government assistance) unnecessarily. "Free rides" are tempting but they hinder development of our communities. Look what happens in communities where people refuse to work; crime rate is much higher. Islamic Golden Age was brought by the understanding, and application of the concept of Ihsan, which has now been abandoned.
We should also realize that going to work and earning halal living is an act of worship as well, if done with excellence (ihsan). Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba, a great African scholar is being credited for the saying"Pray as if you will die tomorrow, and work as if you will live forever" That statement is inspired by a hadeeth of Rasool'Allah (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam). When we work we should work hard, beautifully, morally and with excellence. That is muhsineen's work ethic. We should aim for greatness, not just to complete the task. Put your heart into everything that is right for you to do, or don't do it at all if it's not worth doing. The rewards for working can be as immense as rewards for Jihad in the way of Allah.
It has been reported by Ka'ab Ibn Ujrata (radiya Allahu ‘anhu):
"A man came out to us carrying his tools for work, when we saw him we said 'Oh Messenger of Allah, who would be more sturdy and stronger than this man, if only he did this in the way of God.' (meaning Jihad). So the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied: " If he has come out to work because of his elderly parents, then it is in the way of Allah. And if he has come out in order that he may provide for his young children then it is in the way of Allah. And if he has come out for himself so that he may refrain and be virtuous, then it is in the way of Allah and if he has come out for showing off and being boastful then he has come out in the way of Satan." [Tabarani]
In another narration; The Prophet (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam) saw that one of his companion's hand was scarred, so he asked him about that mark and he replied "It is from working" (because of hard labor). The Prophet (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam ) took his hand and kissed it and said "A Hand That God Loves"
Being just a muslim is not enough, let's strive to be muhsineen and Allah will love us. As we are told in many places in the Qur'an such as [2:195, 3:134, 3:148, 5:13, 5:93] "Allaha yuhibbu (loves) almuhsineen"
There is nothing better in this world and the next than experiencing Allah's love. Let's make all our acts of worship (voluntary/involuntary) better and more sincere everyday. In Islam worship is not limited to ritulistic acts, but it includes all deeds that are approved and loved by God, when done with the right intention.
I will finish with this hadeeth inshaa'Allah:
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam ) said, “Surely, Allah, The Exalted, said, “Whoever shows enmity to an ally of Mine, I have waged war upon him. My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have obligated upon him. My servant continues to draw near to Me with the voluntary acts until I love him. Once I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he grasps, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask of Me, I would surely grant it to him. If he were to seek refuge with Me, I would surely protect him.”~ [Sahih al-Bukhari]
Everything we do inshaa'Allah, let's do it with Ihsan. Being good is not enough, let's strive to be great. "Just Do It" won't get us anywere. Do The Right Thing Excellently!
Bring your A-game Fi sabilillah!
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