إن الله كتب الإحسان على كل شيء

The hadith. Shaddaad ibn Aws reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ "Allah has prescribed excellence (iḥsaan) in everything. When you kill (where it is permitted), do it in the best way; when you slaughter an animal, do it in the best way: let each of you sharpen his blade well and spare his animal suffering." (meaning)

Source: hadith no. 17 of An-Nawawi. Reported by Muslim (no. 1955).

Iḥsaan: two meanings. In the hadith of Jibril (lesson 3), iḥsaan is worshipping Allah as if you saw Him. Here, iḥsaan is also doing things well, with care and with kindness. The two go together: whoever knows that Allah sees him tries to do well, even when no one is watching.

"In everything". The Prophet ﷺ takes the most unexpected example: even when slaughtering an animal for food, one must be gentle, not make it suffer, not sharpen the blade in front of it. If gentleness is required there, it is all the more required everywhere else.

Iḥsaan in your life: • In your studies: hand in careful work, not just "enough to pass". • In your prayer: take time over each movement. • With animals: feed them, do not mistreat them. The Prophet ﷺ told the story of a man who was forgiven for giving water to a thirsty dog (Bukhari 2363) [À VÉRIFIER : numéro]. • With people: speak well, treat them well, even those who do not return it.

And you? Choose something you usually do "quickly" (your bed, homework, a prayer, a reply to a message). How would you do it this week with iḥsaan?

Understanding the lesson

Explanation The word "kataba" ("has prescribed") is strong: it is the same verb used for fasting, "fasting has been prescribed for you". So excellence is not a bonus reserved for a few: it is something Allah asks for, in every area.

The hadith picks a surprising example: even when slaughtering an animal, we must be gentle. The message is clear: if kindness is required there, it is required everywhere. The sunnah also gives the opposite example: a woman was punished because of a cat she shut away without feeding it (Bukhari 3482, Muslim 2242). Harm done to an animal counts with Allah, just as good does.

Excellence also concerns words. Allah says: "And speak good words to people" (meaning of part of 2:83). A well-written message, a polite answer, a criticism made with respect: all of this is ihsan.

The link with the hadith of Jibril: whoever knows that Allah sees him does things well, even when no one else is watching.

Lessons to draw from it • I do my homework, my prayer and my tasks with care, not just "enough to get by". • I treat animals gently and do not make them suffer. • I take care of my words, spoken and online. • I do things well even when no one sees me, because Allah sees me.

Key points to remember • إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ (Muslim 1955). • Ihsan has two meanings that go together: worshipping Allah as if you saw Him, and doing things well with kindness.

The main message Allah has prescribed excellence in everything: doing things well, with care and gentleness, is worship.