True Worth Through Excellence in Practice

Introduction

On the 13^th of Rajab, Muslims around the world celebrate the birth of Amir al-Mu’minin Imam Ali (peace be upon him) – a leader whose life combined deep faith, justice, and practical wisdom. Among his short but powerful sayings is a statement that reshapes how we understand human value, dignity, and success in everyday life:

قالَ الامام علي عليه السلام: قِيمَةُ كُلِّ اِمْرِءٍ مَا يُحْسِنُ

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: “The value of every person is in what they do well.” (Tafsīr Nūr al-Thaqalayn, vol. 4, p. 211)

Educational messages of the hadith for teens and youth

1. Your Worth Is Not Your Appearance

Your value comes from what you learn and how you act, not from looks, followers, or popularity.

Practical Challenge: Today, choose one good action that proves your values instead of talking about them.

2. Evaluate People by Behaviour, Not Words

Beautiful speech and appearances can be misleading; real character is revealed through consistent actions.

Practical Challenge: Observe one person this week and reflect on whether their actions match their words.

3. Real Learning Changes Behaviour

Knowledge only becomes meaningful when it transforms how you act. Just as knowing traffic rules does not make you a good driver unless you follow them, learning without practice is incomplete.

Practical Challenge: Choose one thing you know is right and consciously practise it in your daily life today.

4. Be Good at Something Beneficial

Islam encourages excellence in things that help yourself and others.

Practical Challenge: Ask yourself: “What am I good at that can help others?”

5. Know Your Inner Capacities

You can become excellent in what you are truly capable of; no one is meant to be outstanding at everything. Reflect on where your inner strengths lie and what kind of work you are best suited for.

Practical Challenge: Think about one big success and one major challenge in your life. Identify the inner qualities that helped you achieve that success and overcome that challenge and invest in developing those inner capacities.

6. Do Not Compare Yourself to Others

Everyone has different strengths; comparison weakens confidence and avoids you to reach your full competence.

Practical Challenge: Write down one ability Allah has given you and thank Him for it.

7. Growth Begins Outside the Comfort Zone

Real growth and true value are created when you step beyond comfort and ease; doing things properly always requires effort, discipline, and persistence, not laziness.

Practical Challenge: Do one meaningful task today that feels uncomfortable but helps you grow and complete it with care and commitment.

8. Character Is a Skill

Being truthful, kind, and reliable is also a form of excellence.

Practical Challenge: Practise one good habit today, such as keeping a promise.

Educational messages of the hadith for parents

1. Focus on Behaviour, Not Just Words or Appearance

The true growth of a child is seen in their conduct and daily choices, not merely in how they speak or look religious.

Practical Challenge: This week, give feedback to your child based on their actions and behaviour rather than their words alone.

2. Praise Effort, Not Just Results

Children grow when effort is valued more than success alone.

Practical Challenge: Praise your child this week for trying, not only for winning.

3. Help Children Discover Their Strengths

Every child has unique abilities that need to be guided; only then can they become excellent in what they do.

Practical Challenge: Have a short conversation with your child about what they enjoy doing well.

4. Teach Skills for Life

Practical skills build confidence and responsibility.

Practical Challenge: Teach your child one life skill, such as planning or helping at home.

5. Model Excellence Yourself

Children learn value from what they see, not just what they hear.

Practical Challenge: Do one daily task with care and explain why excellence matters.

6. Link Value to Service

Help children see that skills should benefit others.

Practical Challenge: Encourage your child to use one skill to help someone this week.

Educational messages of the hadith for Imams, chaplains, and religious leaders

1. Redefine Human Value for the Community

Remind people that Islam measures worth by contribution, not status.

Practical Challenge: Share one example in a sermon of excellence in simple daily actions.

2. Encourage Skill Development

Mosques should promote learning and practical competence.

Practical Challenge: Support or announce a skills-based workshop in your community.

3. Teach Action-Based Faith

Faith must be visible in behaviour, not slogans.

Practical Challenge: Link one religious teaching to a clear daily action in your next talk.