God asks: Is the reward for excellence anything but excellence?

  Epigraph: “Is the reward for excellence anything but excellence?” (Qur’an 55:60)

 (Reading Time: 6-7 minutes)

 Abstract

This article explains how the Qur’an presents a clear and balanced system of justice. It shows that Allah deals with human beings based on their actions, with full fairness, but also with great generosity. It also clarifies the meaning of iḥsān (excellence), discusses why punishment can be severe for those who knowingly reject truth, and warns against living on false hopes instead of real accountability.

Introduction: A System Based on Justice

The Qur’an presents life as meaningful and accountable. Human beings are not created without purpose. What we do matters, and it will be judged. However, this judgment is not random or emotional. It is precise and fair.

 Allah clearly says in the Qur’an that He “does not ظلم (wrong) even equal to the weight of an atom” (4:40). This means there is no ظلم in the system of Allah. Everything is measured exactly.

 Understanding Iḥsān: Not a Favor, but Excellence

A very important word in this discussion is iḥsān. In Urdu, “ehsān” usually means doing someone a favor. But in the Qur’an, it means something deeper. Allah says: “Indeed, Allah commands justice (ʿadl) and iḥsān” (16:90). Here, two levels are mentioned:

               •             ʿAdl (justice): doing what is required, fairly

               •             Iḥsān (excellence): doing it in the best possible way

 Then Allah says: “Is the reward of iḥsān anything but iḥsān?” (55:60). This shows a powerful principle: if you live with excellence, Allah will respond with excellence. So iḥsān is not about putting someone under obligation. It is about doing things properly, sincerely, and beautifully.

 Exact Justice: Punishment Matches the Deed

The Qur’an makes it very clear that punishment is always exact.

 In Surah al-Naba, Allah describes Hell and says that it is “a recompense fully in accordance (with their deeds)” (78:26). Then the passage (78:21–30) explains that these are people who knowingly denied trth and continued in that path.

 This means Allah will reciprocate judgement and punishment in an absolute fair manner. Punishment is not exaggerated. It is not unfair and is fully deserved. Allah also says clearly: “Whoever comes with an evil deed will not be recompensed except the like of it” (6:160). So there is no question of injustice. The system is exact.

 Why Eternal Punishment? A Question of State, Not Time

A common question is: if someone lived for 20 or 30 years, why should the punishment be eternal? The Qur’an answers this indirectly by shifting the focus. It is not about how many years someone lived. It is about the condition in which they died.

 If a person recognized the truth, rejected it knowingly, lived in denial and died in that state, then this is not a small mistake. This is a complete rejection of the purpose of life. The punishment reflects a final and settled condition, not just a limited number of years.

 A Powerful Balance: Justice in Punishment, Generosity in Reward

One of the most beautiful teachings of the Qur’an is this:

               •             Punishment = exact

               •             Reward = multiplied

 Allah says: “Whoever comes with a good deed will have ten times the like of it” (6:160).

 At other places, the Qur’an further expands this principle by showing that reward is not merely tenfold but can increase many times over depending on sincerity and excellence. Allah gives the example as seen in the parable of the multiplied grain: “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed which grows seven ears; in every ear are a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies for whom He wills” (2:261). This indicates that the recompense for good deeds may reach up to seven hundred times—or even beyond—depending on the degree of iḥsān present in one’s intention and action.

 This means:

               •             One sin → counted as one

               •             One good deed → rewarded ten times or more

 Allah is not only just, but He is also generous.

In the same Surah al-Naba, after describing punishment (78:21–30), Allah describes Paradise (78:31–36) in detail—gardens, comfort, peace, and honor. This shows that reward is not just equal—it is far greater.

 The Danger of False Hopes (Amānī)

The Qur’an also warns about a dangerous attitude: living in false hopes. Allah says: “You were deceived by your false hopes (amānī)” (57:14).

 This means thinking “Allah will forgive anyway” without action. Following desires and still expecting success, and creating your own version of religion. This is self-deception. The Qur’an rejects this completely. It teaches that success comes through awareness, effort, and sincerity. Not through imagination.

Conclusion: A Clear and Fair Moral System

The Qur’an’s message is clear: Life has a purpose. Actions have consequences. Allah is perfectly just, and at the same time extremely merciful. If you reject truth knowingly, you will face the consequences—exactly as you deserve. But if you try, even a little, Allah multiplies your reward.

 The real call of the Qur’an is: 

Do not live carelessly. Do not live on assumptions. Live with awareness, with responsibility, and with iḥsān—excellence.

 Aamir I. Yazdani
MPhil Islamic Thought & Civilization (PAKISTAN)
MSc Irrigation Engineering (UK)