Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Dec 19, 2025.
Ihsan means excellence in all we do
“Don't just do a half a job, do a complete job.”
In one sentence
Muslims should pursue ihsan, excellence in worship, character, work, service, and family life, as a faith obligation performed for Allah's sake.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Surah An-Nahl 16:90 introduces justice, goodness, and ihsan.
- Ihsan is defined as comprehensive excellence, sincerity, completeness, and kindness.
- Prophet Yusuf demonstrates excellence by helping others despite betrayal, imprisonment, and uncertainty.
- Yusuf's economic plan illustrates excellence in planning, conservation, trade, and execution.
- Believers should serve all people, cultivate excellent character, and excel professionally.
- Ihsan requires patience and is rewarded by Allah rather than by people.
- Parents should train children to pursue completeness, precision, and excellence.
Try this week
Perform work completely and carefully rather than doing the minimum.
Help anyone who genuinely needs assistance, regardless of faith, family, or nationality.
Practice truthfulness, generosity, gentleness, patience, mercy, and forgiveness.
Stand firm for truth even when it carries a personal cost.
Teach children attention to detail and complete, beautiful work from an early age.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 16:90Used to introduce Allah's command to justice, goodness, and ihsan.
Surah 12Used through Yusuf's story to illustrate excellence under hardship and in leadership.
Quran 3:134Used to describe good-doers as generous, forgiving, and controlling their anger.
Quran 11:115Used to connect patience and perseverance with Allah's reward for those who do good.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“An 'Ihsan' is a comprehensive term that covers excellence in everything. There is no limit on it.”
“A believer is a doer of good regardless of your situation.”
“Whoever needs help, truly needs help, you help. That's how a Mohsen is.”
“Don't just do a half a job, do a complete job. And take that job and take it to the next level, do it with perfection, with beauty, with style.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that ihsan means doing things with excellence, kindness, sincerity, and care. Prophet Yusuf showed this by helping people even after suffering betrayal and imprisonment, and by creating a wise plan that fed many communities. We should help anyone in genuine need and aim to be truthful, patient, forgiving, and excellent in our work. Parents should teach children from a young age to finish tasks carefully and beautifully, seeking Allah's reward above people's approval.
- What is one task you could do more completely this week?
- How can we help someone who is different from us?
- When is it hard to do your best without getting praise?
Where it was given
The masjid
Islamic Center of Western Suburbs (ICWS)28W774 Army Trail Rd, West Chicago, IL 60185Jumu'ah “Khutbah 1 | 1:05 | pm; Jamaat 1 | 1:25 | pm; Khutbah 2 | 1:35 | pm; Jamaat 2 | 1:55 | pm” (Bartlett location). “Khutbah | 1:15 | pm; Jamaat | 1:35 | pm” (West Chicago location).ArchiveAll khutbahs at Islamic Center of48 khutbahs
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