When rules become walls instead of bridges — something sacred is lost.
In our public and corporate life, we’ve all met the “Little Napoleon” — that person who wields rules like weapons and forgets that service is a trust.
In this week’s KopiTalk with MHO, I explore the missing ingredient that restores conscience to power — Ihsan, the spirit of excellence that humanises systems, calms the ego, and fills work with meaning.
When ihsan is missing, zalim quietly takes its place.
But when ihsan leads, even the smallest act becomes worship.
🔸 Episode 3 — “Ihsan: The True Performance Indicator”
#MIBManagement101 #KopiTalkWithMHO #NegaraZikir #Leadership #FaithInAction
☕ KopiTalk with MHO | MIB Management 101
“Verily, Allah has prescribed excellence (ihsan) in all things.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Sahih Muslim)
Reflection
As a journalist, I've encountered one of the most frustrating aspects of public service — red tape. Officers stick to the rules like they’re holy texts, using them as shields instead of tools.
Somewhere along the way, the real spirit of service gets lost. We’ve all encountered a “Little Napoleon” — that official who flexes power by making things harder for everyone.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. What’s lacking isn’t policy or systems — it’s ihsan, the human conscience that turns rules into compassion and authority into trust.
Introduction: From Barakah to Ihsan
In our last episode, we talked about Barakah — that invisible force that brings peace, purpose, and harmony to our work. So, how do we keep that flow going?
The answer is Ihsan — the spirit of excellence that turns every task into an act of worship.
If amanah is the foundation and barakah is the outcome, then ihsan is the process — the moral and spiritual excellence that ties them together.
The Meaning of Ihsan
Ihsan comes from the Arabic word hasuna, which means to be good, beautiful, or excellent. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave us a clear definition in the famous Hadith of Jibril:
“It is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for even if you do not see Him, He surely sees you.”
In management speak, ihsan is that inner drive to do work not just for recognition or rewards, but to fulfil our trust before Allah. It turns a job into ibadah (worship) and a workplace into a community of sincerity.
Ihsan as a Mindset of Excellence
In the MIB context, ihsan fits perfectly with Negara Zikir — a call for mindfulness in governance and service. It's all about serving others as a way to show our devotion to Allah, guided by humility and moral clarity.
When ihsan fills the heart, policies become purposeful, and performance becomes personal.
From Compliance to Conscience
Ihsan encourages us to shift from compliance to conscience — from doing things just because we have to, to doing them because it’s right in the eyes of Allah.
The Dimensions of Ihsan in Management
- Excellence in Intention (Niyyah): Every action starts with purpose. A leader with ihsan asks 'why' before 'how.'
- Excellence in Action (Amal): Doing work with precision, fairness, and sincerity, no matter who’s watching.
- Excellence in Interaction (Muamalat): Treating colleagues, clients, and subordinates with dignity and empathy.
- Excellence in Reflection (Muhasabah): Evaluating outcomes not just based on profit, but also on ethical and social impact.
Ihsan in the Workplace: The Human KPI
In MIB Management, success isn’t just about how much we produce, but how well we stick to our values while doing it. A workplace filled with ihsan becomes a place where employees thrive out of faith, not fear.
When ihsan becomes the norm, performance turns into purpose, and service mirrors iman (faith).
Cultivating Ihsan in Everyday Work
- Start with Zikir: Kick off meetings and decisions with a reminder of Allah — it helps set intentions and keeps egos in check.
- Lead with Empathy: View your role as stewardship, not superiority. Authority is a trust, not a trophy.
- Encourage Reflection: Create moments of group muhasabah — check progress through values, not vanity.
- Reward Sincerity, Not Showmanship: Acknowledge those who work quietly but faithfully.
The Ihsan Effect: A Legacy Beyond Results
When Ihsan becomes our go-to performance indicator, we start measuring success not by how high we climb, but by how sincerely we serve. It builds a culture where employees are driven by meaning, not mandates.
The Prophet ﷺ promised that ihsan perfects faith (iman) — and by extension, perfects leadership. A nation that operates with ihsan is a nation at peace with both its Creator and its people.
Closing Reflection
The journey of MIB Management is all about the heart — from amanah to barakah to ihsan.
These aren’t just ideals; they’re real practices when applied sincerely.
Ihsan is the art of working beautifully. It’s where professionalism meets spirituality, and where leadership becomes a form of worship.
📖 KopiTalk with MHO — Reflections brewed with purpose.
🟢 #MIBManagement101 #KopiTalkWithMHO #NegaraZikir #Leadership #IhsanAtWork #FaithInAction
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