Why Bother Outperforming beyond Expectations? - Because Work is IBADAH

If we really considered our work and businesses as “ibadah” (i.e. an act of worship), then we would strive for excellence, to outperform beyond expectations and deliver the best, regardless if whether the boss, the company, the client acknowledges or rewards us or gives us raise/bonus.

All Human beings have limitations and shortcomings, and everyone has individual needs and motivations behind their deeds. Naturally, no human evaluation will ever be perfect.

Instead, we should strive to outperform because we want to please Allah, the Perfect One Who has enjoined us to perform with excellence (ihsan) in all things (16:90), Who will never allow a single atom’s weight of our deeds to be lost (18:30), Who is All-Just and will replace with the BEST of rewards (3:195), Who is All-Aware of all that we do (57:13), one Who his All-Rich and Free from All Needs (Al-Ghany), Most-Generous (Al-Akram), Most Merciful (Ar-Raheem). Allahu a’lam – Allah knows best.

We should be determined to deliver with the confidence that, if His creatures fail to acknowledge your excellence in this dunya, Alhamdulillah, have the conviction of the promise that He has reserved greater rewards for you in the Hereafter, that never fades away.

The Promise of Hereafter isn’t a fairy tale or an academic exercise – this is the Truth of Truths and should be the driving force behind our motivations.

Thus if we were to feel demotivated or burnout because people fail to acknowledge or recompense our performance, or if we lack the motivation for excellent performance, or give good customer service simply because “it makes no difference to my pay anyway”, then we need to question our ikhlas and tawakkul (sincerity and trust) in Allah: are we REALLY taking our “work”/”business” as ibadah, or are we concerned about the cash, the fame, the promotion?

Allahu A’lam, Allah Knows Best.

That being said, nevertheless bosses, managers and superiors should never be negligent in acknowledging or rewarding good performance – that in itself is a trait of ihsan and ‘adl (justice). 

 

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿٩٠﴾

“Verily, Allah has enjoined (that you perform with) Justice and Ihsan (excellence),

and giving to kith and kin,

and forbids all evil and filthy deeds,

and all forms of oppression.

He admonishes you, that you may take heed”

(Surah An-Nahl 16:90)

هَلْ جَزَاءُ الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَّا الْإِحْسَانُ

"Is there any reward for Ihsan (goodness, excellence) other than Ihsan?” (55:60)