Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim
1. Preface
From a neuropsychological perspective, humans are wired to seek meaning. When we live only for the biological cycle—eating, drinking, and sleeping—our dopamine fires only briefly, then withers. But when we set an intention to pursue excellence, the brain produces a sense of purpose. Excellence is not a burden, but the highest form of gratitude for the potential of neural synapses and the time that God has entrusted to us. Becoming the best is how we “breathe” with higher quality before the Creator.
2. Explanation
Qur’anic and Hadith Evidence
Excellence is the breath of a believer. Allah does not merely ask us to act, but to do the best—Ahsanu ‘Amala.Qur’an:
الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
“ who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed.” (QS. Al-Mulk: 2)
Hadith:
الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ
“A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer.” (HR. Muslim)
3. Lessons and Message
The world is already full of people who are “just average.” If you are merely one of billions without real contribution, your existence is like a number on paper—easily erased. Strive for excellence not to show off, but because da‘wah needs proof. Da‘wah is heard more clearly from the mouth of a great doctor, an honest and brilliant lawyer, or a successful and generous merchant.Have you ever heard the story of a mother on the outskirts of the city who set aside coins every day from selling water spinach just to build a well in a drought-stricken village? She was not a scholar, but she was the “Best Player” in her class. When the well gushed water and the village children ran around in joy, the mother fell into prostration, weeping in gratitude. She proved that excellence is not always about position, but about how much benefit we “overflow” to others.Imagine a knife. A dull knife will only tear the meat it cuts and injure the user’s hand. But a sharpened—excellent—knife cuts with precision, eases the work, and produces a beautiful result. Do not be a “dull” person because you are too lazy to sharpen yourself. Be a “sharp” person so your presence brings solutions, not burdens.We, sometimes, are funny. Some people pray, “O Allah, make me successful,” but their hobby is lying around staring at geckos on the ceiling until they’ve memorized the geckos’ names. That’s not tawakkul; that’s “forcing” Allah to work alone! Remember, success requires planning. Be a top doctor—not the doctor who’s first to go home because he’s too lazy to serve patients!
4. Conclusion
Being the best player is about _Ihsan_—doing everything as if you see Allah, or at least being aware that Allah sees you. If you are an engineer, be at the forefront. If a merchant, be the most honest. This world is a brief stage; make sure that when the curtain falls, you leave behind a legacy of goodness that time cannot erase
والله أعلم بالصواب
الحمد لله رب العالمين
Abu Sultan Al-Qadrie
