Do It With Ihsan
Excellence, ihsan, is nothing short of what’s the absolute best you can possibly do. Allah azza wa jall says in surat Al-Kahf: إن الذين آمنوا وعملوا الصالحات إنا لا نضيع أجر من أحسن عملا Verily! As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, certainly! We will not allow the reward of anyone who does his (righteous) deeds in the most perfect manner.
This is the spirit of the believer: the spirit of excellence (ihsaan). To do what we do in the most perfect manner and to define our work by excellence (ihsaan).
At times we may think that the end-product, the big-picture, is really what matters- but we forget that perfection is found in the delicate details. The road to ihsaan is paved by the perfecting of tiny turns, and made up of many small steps It is pebbles that make up the mountain.
The hard work of grinding thru challenges, making that effort, and being in a state of deliberate practice... over and over and over... when no one sees, and no one cheers, when no one hears. Understand that this takes time... and requires a measured, steady hand of patience, and a mindful focus on details.
Our Prophet (s) teaches us that the most beloved deeds to Allah swt are the deeds that are consistent, repeated, intentional actions... as small or insignificant as they may appear.
And none of this goes unnoticed by our Creator, the Most Merciful, the most Observant. Allah swt says in Surat Al-Rahman: هل جزاء الإحسان إلا الإحسان 'Is there any reward for ihsan except ihsan?'
Allah is promising that those who strive for excellence to be rewarded for this in this dunya and in the hereafter.
is found in the small, consistent, repeated, intentional actions that become part of who you are.
Experience my reflection on the ayahs mentioned above and
#ihsanas part of MAS In The Shade Of Ramadan Season 9 video:
https://youtu.be/8sD8_R4W1mw
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This Ramadan I was trying to apply this hadith, because it introduces some small steady habits that I thought I could incorporate going forward and it gives a simple element of structure: The Prophet (s) said, 'No one will be saved by their actions.' The companions asked, 'Not even you, Messenger of Allah?' He said, 'Not even me, unless God envelops me in His mercy. Aim straight and do your best—work in the morning, in the evening, and for a part of the night. Moderation! Moderation, and you shall reach the goal.'