Quality Must be Visible in Every Aspect of Your Life
Chapter 14
It may come as a surprise to many that much of Portugal once lived under Islamic rule for over 500 years from the early 8th century during the period when Muslims ruled Spain, Andalusia. The Muslim introduction of new agricultural technology and plain hard work made Portugal prosper. To this day, the common Portuguese verb “mourejar” means “to work like a Moor (Muslim),” and it implies unusual diligence and tenacity. Indeed, Portuguese is saturated with thousands of words with Arabic origin.
Islam commands the Muslims to practise Ihsan (excellence) in everything they do. It unlocks a tenacious mindset that inspires you to give your best even when it feels like you’ve got nothing to give. The Prophet ﷺ said “Allah has prescribed “Al Ihsan” in every matter.” (Muslim) and “Indeed Allah loves that when one of you does any action he perfects it” (al Bayhaqi) — It is focused on delivering work that is pleasing to Allah.
What does your best look like?
First of all, your best is not going to look the same as anyone else’s best, so rid yourself of that mindset right now! We all have different circumstances and lifestyles that affect what our personal best can be and comparison can leave us feeling anything BUT our best.
“Your best” is a unique blend of talents, skill, mindset, belief, and stamina that belongs solely to YOU and YOUR journey.
Second, your best today may not be the same as your best from yesterday. Life happens. Circumstances and unforeseen events happen. Some days are simply better than others. Today you can choose to RESET your best, removing excuses from the equation. Just do the best you can where you are with what you have.
Your defining moment
It’s easy to wait for it. The movies have taught us that when the music swells and the chips are down, that’s when leaders arrive and when heroes are made.
It turns out, that’s not how it works.
Our work is what happens in all the moments. It is the hard work of showing up when we’re not expected to, of seeing what’s possible when few are willing to believe.
Whenever Dr. Abdur Rahman As-Sumayt was questioned about his extreme dedication and workmanship he would say, “My dear brother, we are not awaiting the reward or approval of any individual. We are busy in fieldwork and are awaiting nothing except the acceptance of our deeds by Allah”
His work — More than seven million people are said to have accepted Islam through his efforts in Africa. He spent more than twenty nine years of his life propagating Islam in the African continent; participating in the construction of approximately 5,700 mosques, provisioning care for than 15,000 orphans, the drilling of around 9,500 artesian wells and the establishment of 860 schools, 4 universities and 204 Islamic centres. As-Sumayt died in 2013 and was a true luminary in our contemporary times who strove to uphold and make the Word of Allah the uppermost.
The word “Ihsan” translates to “perfection” or “excellence”. It is a sense of social responsibility borne from religious convictions. Our quest for excellence is applicable to all areas of life. It is what drives us to do our best work.
When Yusuf عليه السلام was in Prison , he was told by his fellow inmates “Indeed we see you to be from among the people who have excellence.” (12:36)
Many years later when Yusuf rose to power, gaining ministerial authority, he was again told “Indeed we see you to be from among the people who have excellence.” (12:78)
We learn a valuable insight here. Those who are truthful and sincere to Allah do not change in whatever circumstances they are placed in. Whether in a position of power and strength or in weakness and down trodden — they remain the same.
People rarely make a conscious effort to improve in their day to day activities. How often and far do you push yourself beyond your current perceived limits?
Long Range
Mohammad Faris writes “Barakah culture is about taking a (very) long-term view of life and recognizing that there’s life after death, and a day will come when our words and deeds will be held to account. The result is either an eternal abode in Heaven or Hellfire. Operating with this belief makes you consciously focus your life on the three investments that Prophet Muhammad taught us would continue to exist after our death: our children and their prayers for us after we die, an ongoing charity that’s genuinely sustainable and beneficial to people, and developing and spreading a useful body of knowledge that’s timeless. It’s not about a work-life balance, it’s about a total life balance and recognizing that you’re a shepherd responsible for your flock and that as such your obligations go beyond work.
Hustle culture takes a myopic, short-term view of life. It’s about the next quarterly report, the following annual review, and the next carrot in the never-ending game of corporate snakes and ladders. It’s fed by YOLO (You Only Live Once) mentality and acts that maximize pleasure for pleasure’s sake, and it pushes you to ‘get it all’ as quickly as possible — ideally yesterday. Family, neighbors, parents, etc, those are just after-thoughts. The hustler’s idea of “work-life” balance is WORK is life.”
Comprehensive Worship
Worship is a comprehensive term that includes everything that Allah loves and is pleased with of actions and statements, whether they are apparent or hidden.
The Muhsin does not see the world in the false dichotomy of secular or sacred. For them everything is religious and so they are rewarded for feeding their spouse, eating, working, studying and sleeping.
“Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (6:162)
This verse tells us that everything can be for the sake of Allah. Moreover, Khurram Murad reminds us of something crucial. He states,
“People are in the habit of classifying life’s activities into those which are mundane and those which are religious. Remember, though, only those things done for the sake of Allah are the ‘religious’ things. Everything that is done for other than Allah — however ‘religious’ it may seem — is a worldly act… If he earns thousands of pounds to support his family and to spend for the cause of Allah, seeking only Allah’s pleasure, it is a highly spiritual act.”
Don’t be fool by false dichotomies and learn to transcend binary thinking.
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Be committed to continuous improvement by looking out for marginal gains. It is all about small incremental improvements that lead to cumulative gains which may end up being hugely significant.
