Excellence should shape every part of life
“Our orientation towards excellence is not that it's the extra thing that we do.”
Ihsan, excellence in worship, relationships, self-discipline, and ordinary work, is a divine command that should become a consistent habit, including through quiet service to others.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Defines ihsan as an intuitive human attraction to excellence.
- Argues that ihsan, justice, and family kindness are Allah's commands, not optional extras.
- Shows how discipline in fitness, appetites, and food moderation can transfer across life.
- Uses Abu Bakr's secret service to an elderly woman and Umar's imitation to illustrate hidden excellence.
- Applies ihsan to worship, relationships, and simple everyday tasks, then closes with prayers.
In the khateeb's words
“These are commands. So our orientation towards excellence is not that it's the extra thing that we do. I will have Ihsan in one area and not in the rest.”
“when we're able to apply it in one area, we apply the same principles in other areas as well.”
“when you're going to do something good you do it to such a high level of ihsan that even sometimes somebody else who might emulate you will not even see the details of the ihsan that you are doing”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that ihsan means excellence and beautiful conduct, and that Allah commands it rather than treating it as an optional extra. The speaker says excellence can become a habit that spreads from one part of life to another, including self-discipline and moderation in eating. He shares a story about Abu Bakr quietly caring for an elderly woman and Umar continuing the service, reminding us that private good deeds matter. We should seek ihsan in our relationship with Allah, our treatment of people, and even ordinary tasks.
- What is one small task where you can practice ihsan this week?
- What good deed could you do secretly for someone else?
- Which habit in your life could help you become more disciplined elsewhere?
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