Ihsan

When Sayyidna Yusuf (as) was unjustly thrown into prison, two fellow prisoners approached him and asked him to interpret their dreams. They justified their ask by saying,

إِنَّا نَرَاكَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

“Indeed, we see you to be of those who do good,” (12:36). 

When Sayyidna Yusuf (as) becomes the head of the Treasury and one of the most powerful men in Egypt, his brothers ask for his help to avoid famine and plead for him not to take Binyamin as a captive. They declare,

إِنَّا نَرَاكَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

“Indeed, we see you to be of those who do good,” (12:78).

Sayidna Yusuf’s story is replete with high and lows. From enjoying the love and affection of his father Yaqub (as) to being thrown into a well and later into prison and then becoming the Minister of the Treasury and staving off a widespread famine, there is no doubt that he faces extremely juxtaposed environments throughout his life. And yet, his character remains the same. He is a Muhsin through and through. 

His character is beautiful even when his circumstances are dire. What a beautiful model to aspire to. 

As we mentally prepare ourselves for sheltering in place for the foreseeable future, and a consciously slower-paced life becomes the new norm, we should consider the very real consequences of losing the outlets we once used to decompress. Will we end up lashing out on our loved ones, snapping at them due to the constant interfacing, or can we figure out systems and routines that will help facilitate a healthier harmony as not to lose the potential reward with Allah (swt)? 

Don’t overwhelm and stress yourself with a strict schedule, but try to incorporate a few ways to collect hasanat along the way. Challenge your family to pray in congregation on time and make it a contest. Do athkar and the seven-minute workout in the morning. Find ways to maintain your own mental sanity. It may be the endorphin rush of a long run or curling up to a good book. Tag team with your spouse so each one can find some individual free time. Keep readjusting until you hit your stride. That will probably last a few days until you need to readjust again 😊

In the meantime, keep in mind the beautiful example of Prophet Yusuf (as). Let us strive to be Muhsineen in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. May we remember Allah’s beautiful words:

هَلْ جَزَاءُ الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَّا الْإِحْسَانُ 

“Is the reward for good [anything] but good?” (55:60)