Dear Muslims!
In the verse I have recited, the Almighty Allah (swt) states as follows, "Do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good."[1]
In the hadith I have read, our beloved Prophet (saw) says, "Allah loves someone who, when working, performs it in a perfect manner."[2]
Dear Believers!
Our sublime religion Islam enjoins that when we do something, we do it properly. It advises us to make every effort to do the task in the finest and most correct manner possible. It considers any improper deed, worship, attitude, or behaviour to be undesirable.
Dear Muslims!
Each of us is first accountable for practicing Islam properly as required of us as servants of our Lord (swt). Practicing Islam properly entails living our lives as though we were seeing our Lord. It is to embrace and abide by the teachings revealed to us by Allah and His Messenger (saw) with full devotion. It is to make no concession on tawhid in faith, ikhlas in worship, righteousness in behaviours, and properness in deed. It is to pass this world's test without succumbing to our nafs, avarice, and aspirations, as well as Satan's whispering.
Dear Believers!
A Muslim is expected to utilize their time wisely and to provide the greatest results in their actions. Bringing out the finest in one's acts is dependent on having good intentions first and then dealing with one's deeds with the joy of worship. Any responsible and conscientious Muslim observes fairness and sincerity in all aspects of life. They live by the truth, righteousness and honesty. They regard the responsibilities assigned to them as entrusted to them and perform them with zeal. They put every effort to produce the greatest results in the shortest amount of time and in the most beneficial quality.
Dear Muslims!
Exercising excellence in whatever we do is one of our responsibilities, both to Allah (swt) and to others. When we disregard our responsibilities, we are essentially deceiving ourselves since we will have to account for it before our Lord (swt). Let us not forget that those who execute their work in accordance with Allah's (swt) Sunnah and leave the rest to His discretion after taking the necessary precautions will be successful both in this world and in the Hereafter. I would like to conclude this Friday's khutbah with the following verse, "Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds."[3]
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[1] Baqarah, 2/195.
[2] Bayhaqi, Shu'ab al-Iman, 4/334.
[3] Kahf, 18/30.
General Directorate of Religious Services