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One of the most reflective lessons in the Qur’an is the command to extend goodness to others, just as Allah has blessed us with His favours. In a world where many measure success by personal gain, Islam teaches a different principle: true success lies in how much of our blessings we share with others.

Allah says in Surah Al-Qasas (28:77):

وَٱبْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَلَا تَبْغِ ٱلْفَسَادَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ

"And seek, with what Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and do not forget your share of this world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And do not seek corruption in the land, for indeed, Allah does not like the corrupters."

This verse provides a balanced framework for life:

1. Use what Allah has given you to seek the Hereafter – Wealth, knowledge, status, and influence should be used in a way that earns Allah’s pleasure.
2. Do not neglect your share in this world – Islam does not promote asceticism but encourages a balanced life.
3. Be generous and spread goodness – The blessings we receive are meant to be shared.
4. Avoid corruption and harm – Success should never come at the expense of morality and justice.

The command "وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ" is a reminder that every favor we have is a trust—be it wealth, knowledge, power, or even kindness—and true gratitude is shown by passing that goodness forward.

Living an iḥsānī lifestyle means striving for excellence in every aspect of life—both in our relationship with Allah (the Creator) and in our interactions with people and all creation.

 Iḥsān Towards Allah:
The Prophet ﷺ defined iḥsān as:

"To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then know that He sees you." (Muslim)

This means our prayers, fasting, charity, and daily actions should not be routine but filled with deep awareness of Allah’s presence. True iḥsān is about sincerity, devotion, and striving for the highest level of obedience not just in rituals but in character.

Iḥsān Towards Creation:
The Prophet ﷺ also taught that iḥsān extends beyond worship—it includes how we treat people, animals, and even the environment. He said:

"The most beloved people to Allah are those who benefit others the most." (Ṭabarānī)

This means that serving, helping, and uplifting others is not just a moral duty but an act of worship. The Prophet ﷺ narrated:

"A sinful woman saw a thirsty dog panting near a well. She drew water for it, and Allah forgave her sins." (Muslim)

And in contrast:

"A woman was punished in Hell for imprisoning a cat, neither feeding it nor letting it find food." (Bukhari)

This shows that true goodness is not limited to humans but extends to all of creation.

✅ With family? Be kind.
✅ With strangers? Be generous.
✅ With the poor? Be supportive.
✅ With animals? Be compassionate.
✅ With the environment? Be responsible.

An iḥsānī lifestyle is a life of excellence, purpose, and giving—a life where every moment is an opportunity to grow closer to Allah and benefit His creation.

Background of the Verse: The Story of Qarun

This verse is part of the story of Qarun, a wealthy man from the people of Prophet Musa عليه السلام. He was blessed with immense riches, yet instead of using them for good, he became arrogant and forgot that his wealth was from Allah. When advised to use his blessings for the Hereafter, to do good, and to avoid corruption, he responded with pride:

"إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِى"
"I was only given it because of knowledge I have." (Surah Al-Qasas 28:78)

Qarun failed to realize that his wealth was not a result of his intelligence or effort alone, but a test from Allah. Instead of using his blessings to uplift others, he indulged in excess and arrogance. As a result, Allah caused the earth to swallow him and his wealth, making him a lesson for future generations.

This verse, therefore, is a divine warning: Every blessing comes with responsibility. The way we use our gifts determines whether they lead to success or destruction

The Prophet ﷺ was known for his generosity and never refused someone in need. Jābir رضي الله عنه said:

"The Prophet ﷺ was never asked for anything and said 'no'." (Bukhari)

Even small acts of kindness, such as feeding guests, helping a neighbor, or supporting a struggling friend, fall under "وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ".

The Different Forms of Iḥsān (Excellence in Doing Good)

The command "وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ" is not restricted to financial generosity alone. Islam expands the concept of iḥsān (excellence in doing good) to include acts of kindness, service, and uplifting others in any way possible. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized that every believer has the capacity to engage in iḥsān, regardless of their wealth or status.

Iḥsān Through Daily Acts of Kindness

The Prophet ﷺ highlighted that even the smallest acts can be sources of reward:

"Every joint in the human body must offer charity each day the sun rises:

• Reconciling between two people is charity,
• Helping a man onto his ride or lifting his belongings is charity,
• A kind word is charity,
• Every step taken towards prayer is charity,
• Removing harm from the road is charity."* (Bukhari & Muslim)

This narration expands the meaning of charity beyond financial giving. It includes any form of assistance—physical, verbal, or emotional—that eases someone’s hardship.

Iḥsān Through Healing and Support

Jābir ibn ʿAbdullāh رضي الله عنه narrated:

"A man among us was stung by a scorpion while sitting with the Prophet ﷺ. He asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, may I recite a ruqyah (healing supplication)?’ The Prophet ﷺ replied: ‘Whoever among you can benefit his brother, let him do so.’" (Muslim)

This hadith teaches that healing, whether through medical treatment, emotional support, or even sincere advice, is an act of iḥsān.

• If Allah has blessed you with medical knowledge, use it to serve others.
• If you have the ability to console someone in distress, offer them comfort.

Every act of care and support is a form of iḥsān.

Iḥsān Through Fulfilling People’s Needs

The Prophet ﷺ was once asked:

"O Messenger of Allah, which people are most beloved to Allah? And which deeds are most beloved to Him?"

He replied:

"The most beloved people to Allah are those who bring the most benefit to others.

• The most beloved deed to Allah is bringing happiness to a fellow Muslim,
• Relieving them of distress,
• Paying off their debt,
• Feeding the hungry.
• Walking with my brother in his need is more beloved to me than spending a month in iʿtikāf in this mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi).
• Whoever suppresses their anger, Allah will fill their heart with contentment on the Day of Judgment.
• Whoever walks with his brother to fulfill his need until it is granted, Allah will keep his feet firm on the Day when feet will slip." (Tabarāni)

Fulfilling someone’s need—even if it’s as simple as helping them find a job, providing advice, or lending a listening ear—is one of the most beloved acts in Islam.

Walking with someone in their moment of distress is greater than a month of seclusion in Masjid an-Nabawi!

This hadith challenges our perception of worship—true devotion is not just in prayer and fasting, but also in how much we uplift and assist others.

Iḥsān Through Small Yet Powerful Acts

Some actions seem minor, but in the sight of Allah, they hold immense reward.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Your smile in the face of your brother is charity.

• Encouraging good is charity.
• Helping a lost person is charity.
• Guiding a visually impaired person is charity.
• Removing harm from the path is charity.
• Pouring water from your bucket into your brother’s bucket is charity." (Tirmidhi)

Simple gestures—smiling, guiding, helping—are acts of iḥsān that cost nothing but are highly rewarded.

Iḥsān Through Sharing Extra Provisions

The Prophet ﷺ once saw a man looking around in distress while traveling. He immediately turned to his companions and said:

"Whoever has extra transportation should give it to those without.
Whoever has extra food should share it with those who lack it."

He continued listing different resources, until the companions felt that they had no right to keep anything beyond their basic needs. (Muslim)

Iḥsān is not just about generosity—it is about ensuring that no one in our community is left struggling.
If you have more than you need, Islam encourages you to look around and share.

Iḥsān Towards Widows and the Poor

The Prophet ﷺ elevated the status of those who support widows and the less fortunate by comparing them to warriors in the path of Allah:

"The one who strives to help the widow and the poor is like the one fighting in the path of Allah, or like the one who prays all night and fasts all day." (Bukhari & Muslim)

Serving the weak and vulnerable is not just charity—it is a form of Jihād!

How many of us rush to help the less fortunate with the same eagerness that we perform our prayers?

The Hidden Acts of Iḥsān : Some Examples

After the passing of the Prophet ﷺ, Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه became the Caliph, carrying the immense weight of leading the Muslim Ummah. Despite his position, he never abandoned his personal acts of kindness.

Each morning after leading the Fajr prayer, Abū Bakr would quietly leave the masjid, disappearing without informing anyone of his destination. ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه became curious:

"By Allah! Abū Bakr must have some secret act of goodness that he does not want us to see."

One day, after the Fajr prayer, ʿUmar secretly followed him. He watched as Abū Bakr walked to the outskirts of Madinah and entered an old, run-down tent.

ʿUmar waited until Abū Bakr left, then he entered the tent and found an elderly, blind, disabled woman sitting alone.

He asked her:

"Who is this man that visits you?"

She replied:

"By Allah, I do not know his name. He comes every morning, sweeps my house, kneads my dough, milks my sheep, and takes care of all my needs before quietly leaving."

ʿUmar, overwhelmed with emotion, said:

"You have exhausted the leaders after you, O Abū Bakr! Who can ever match your goodness?"

This story is a reminder that true leadership is not in authority but in service. The best people are those who use their status not for self-glorification but for uplifting others.

Following the example of Abū Bakr, ʿUmar رضي الله عنه made it a habit to serve the poor and widows at night, away from the eyes of people.

One night, Ṭalḥa رضي الله عنه saw ʿUmar entering the home of a poor, blind, disabled woman. Curious, he entered in the morning and asked her:

"What does this man do when he visits you?"

She replied:

"For many nights, he has been bringing me food, cooking for me, and cleaning my house. He does this without telling anyone."

Ṭalḥa, realizing what he had just discovered, said to himself:

"May your mother lose you, O Ṭalḥa! Are you searching for the flaws of ʿUmar?"

This was the level of iḥsān (excellence in doing good) that these great men lived by. They did not seek praise or recognition; rather, they saw helping others as a personal duty, a private conversation between them and their Lord.

The Three Qualities of True Iḥsān

Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad explained that true acts of goodness have three essential qualities:

Do it Quickly – Delaying good is a form of deprivation. If you see an opportunity to help, take it without hesitation.

Consider it Small – Even if it is a great sacrifice, see it as minor. The moment we feel arrogant about our kindness, its sincerity is lost.

Keep it Hidden – The best acts of iḥsān are those that only Allah knows. The reward of such acts is stored in the unseen records of divine mercy.

Iḥsān is a Honour for your not a Favour from You

The righteous did not see charity as a favour they did for others; rather, they saw the one in need as a blessing from Allah. Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه said:

"There are three people I can never repay:

• The one who greeted me first.
• The one who made space for me in a gathering.
• The one who travelled just to meet me.

"But the fourth, no one can reward except Allah."

When asked who that was, he replied:

"The person who had a pressing need, spent the whole night thinking about whom to ask, and then chose me as the one to help him. By Allah, this is an honour beyond words." (Bayhaqi)

This teaches us that when someone asks for help, it is not a burden but an opportunity for immense reward.

The Ultimate Reward of Iḥsān: Allah’s Love and Divine Increase

The call to iḥsān is not just a moral obligation—it is a path to Allah’s love, divine companionship, and eternal rewards. Allah repeatedly reminds us of the high status of those who excel in goodness:

"وَأَحْسِنُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ"
"And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:195)

"إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ مُحْسِنُونَ"
"Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who do good." (Surah An-Naḥl 16:128)

Being a muḥsin brings Allah’s companionship, divine support, and guidance.

And the greatest promise of all:

"هَلْ جَزَاءُ الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَّا الْإِحْسَانُ"
"Is there any reward for excellence other than excellence?" (Surah Ar-Raḥmān 55:60)

Among all the rewards of iḥsān, there is one beyond comprehension—the privilege of seeing Allah in Jannah:

"لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا الْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ"
"For those who do good is the best reward—and more." (Surah Yūnus 10:26)

The Prophet ﷺ explained that "more" refers to the greatest blessing of all—the vision of Allah’s noble face in Jannah.

These versse establishes a direct connection between iḥsān and earning Allah’s love. To be a muḥsin (one who excels in goodness) means to be among those whom Allah holds dear.

The Protective Blessings of Iḥsān

The Prophet ﷺ promised unmatched rewards for those who rush to help others:

"Whoever makes things easy for someone in hardship, Allah will make things easy for him in this world and the Hereafter." (Bukhari & Muslim)

"As long as a person is helping his brother, Allah remains in his aid." (Bukhari & Muslim)

"Secret charity extinguishes the anger of the Lord, maintaining family ties increases one’s lifespan, and acts of kindness protect against a bad death." (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ, 1908)

• Giving in secret shields one from Allah’s displeasure.
  Maintaining family ties brings barakah in life.
  Helping others becomes a means of divine protection.

Often, people seek ways to remove hardness from their hearts, longing for spiritual tranquility. The Prophet ﷺ gave a simple, yet powerful solution:

"Do you wish for your heart to become soft and your needs to be fulfilled? Be merciful to the orphan, pat his head, and feed him from what you eat—your heart will become soft, and your needs will be fulfilled." (Aḥmad)

This hadith teaches that compassion towards the weak directly affects the state of one’s heart.

Want a softer heart? Care for an orphan.
Want your dua to be answered? Help those in need. 

If you want Allah to remove your difficulties, ease the burden of others.

"وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ"
"And do good as Allah has done good to you." (Surah Al-Qasas 28:77)

Let's develop an iḥsānī state of mind and lifestyle in this Ramadan

May Allah make us of the muḥsinīn (those who excel in goodness).