22nd RabiʻI 1447H |
Assalamu'alaikum, |
My friends who founded LaunchGood.com used to have an interesting acronym: GELMO (Good Enough Let's Move On). |
During their early startup phase, it was a useful acronym. They had many decisions to make and couldn't get stuck perfecting every one, so they would just "GELMO-it!". |
After a while, the team realized GELMO wouldn't work anymore if they wanted to build a world-class company. So, in their new culture deck, they decided to change their standard from GELMO to Ihsaan (spiritual excellence and beauty). |
I have caught myself using GELMO in my personal and professional life and it made me wonder how often do we settle for "good enough" in our work, worship, and relationships? How often do we let ihmal (carelessness) creep into areas where Allah ﷻ expects ihsan from us? |
The Culture of "Good Enough" |
We live in an age of disposability. Our phones are designed to be replaced every two years. Our clothes last a season. Society wants us to view even relationships as swipeable and replaceable. |
This throwaway culture has seeped into our work ethic and, more dangerously, our spiritual practices. |
We rush through our salah thinking, "Allah knows I'm busy." We recite the Quran without proper tajweed or understanding and say "at least I'm trying." We complete projects at 80% thinking, "No one cares about the last 20%." |
But what's the real cost of this ihmal? It's not just about the quality of our work, it's about who we become. Each time we settle for "good enough," we're training ourselves to accept mediocrity and be mediocre in life. |
When Carelessness Becomes Character |
Consider the person who rushes through wudu because they're "just doing a quick prayer." Or the professional who submits a report with lots of typos because "everyone will understand what I meant." These aren't isolated incidents; they're character-forming moments. |
If I asked you, "Who's the most reliable person you know?" you'd probably name individuals known for their attention to detail, who double-check their work, come prepared, and follow through on small commitments. |
And if I asked you, "Who's the least reliable person you know?" You'd name individuals who consistently cut corners, submit work with obvious errors, and say "it's fine" when it isn't. |
The scary part? These latter folks often don't realize their reputation. They think their carelessness goes unnoticed, but everyone around them has learned not to trust them. |
So how do we break this cycle? How do we move from a culture of "good enough" to a life of ihsan? |
Start with Itqaan |
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to do things with Itqaan (excellence/precision). He ﷺ said: "Indeed Allah loves, when one of you does a job, that he does it with itqaan." |
Notice he didn't say "when one of you does an important job." He said, "When one of you does a job", any job. Every action is an opportunity for itqaan or ihmal, whether it's sweeping the floor, responding to an email, preparing dinner, or leading a meeting. |
You might be wondering, what's the difference between Itqaan and Ihsaan? |
Itqaan is a step towards Ihsaan; it's about doing things meticulously and with precision. Whereas Ihsaan is a much broader concept that's about doing things in the best possible way with sincerity, for Allah's sake. |
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ embodied itqaan and Ihsaan in everything he did. He was thorough and mindful when making wudu. His words were measured and purposeful. He gave someone his full attention and his heart when he met them. |
Practical Tips |
Here are 3 practical ways to break free from GELMO and cultivate ihsan in our daily tasks: |
1. The Pre-Task Niyyah (Intention) |
Before starting any task, pause and make a conscious intention to do it with ihsan for the sake of Allah ﷻ. This includes writing an email, cleaning the kitchen, preparing a report, or starting your salah. |
2. The "Would I Show This to Allah ﷻ or Prophet ﷺ?" Filter |
وَقُلِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ فَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَـٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ |
"Tell ˹them, O Prophet˺, "Do as you will. Your deeds will be observed by Allah, His Messenger, and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the seen and unseen, then He will inform you of what you used to do." (Quran 9:105) |
Imagine being shown, on Judgment Day, every rushed salah, every half-hearted promise, every broken relationship. Would we be proud of that record, or wish we had approached each moment with more care? |
Before submitting work or completing a task, ask yourself: "Would I be comfortable showing this to Allah or Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?" This question raises our standards and helps us catch mistakes. |
3. Connect Your Work to Your Character |
Everything you create becomes part of your story and personal brand. If done with the right intention, it can be part of your ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah). I have seen well-written reports that inspire colleagues for years to come. Sometimes you prepare a presentation with Ihsan, and it's not forgotten, but leads to better decisions. |
4. Take it one step at a time |
The journey from Ihmal to Ihsan won't happen overnight. Pick one daily task - perhaps how you respond to messages or how you prepare for Salah - and commit to doing it with ihsan for at least 1 week. Let that Ihsan overflow to other areas naturally. |
Every time you take an extra moment to do something properly, you're not just improving your work; you're worshipping Allah better. You're building the spiritual muscle of excellence that will serve you in this life and the next, insha'Allah. |
I hope this helps. |
What's one area in your life where you've settled for "good enough"? How can you transform it into Ihsan? I'd love to hear from you. Reply and share how you plan to transform ihmal into ihsan in your daily life. |
Sincerely, |
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