Islam and Self-Appraisal (Muhasebe)

Imam Musa al-Kazim (as)says: Whosoever does not appraise his actions
daily, is not from us. That is, he should evaluate and see that if he
has done a good deed, he should ask more of the same from Allah (SWT),
and if he has done any sin, he should seek forgiveness from Allah
(SWT) and return to Him in penitence.
Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) said to his companion (Sahabah) Abu Dharr
al-Ghifari (ra):
Oh Abu Dharr! A human being would not be among the God-wary (Muttaqin)
until he appraises himself every day with greater [scrutiny and]
accuracy than [one] appraising hisfinancial partner, and he knows
where his food has come from, the source of his drink, and from where
has he procured his dress; He should know whether they are from lawful
or unlawful means.
Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) said: "An intelligentperson is the one who
calls himself to account and and does deeds to benefit him after death
and a foolish person is hewho follows his desires and hopes from Allah
(SWT)."
Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) said: "He whose two days (of life) are the
same (making no spiritual progress) is at loss."
Imam Ali (as) said, If your two days are similar, then you are in loss.
Time for Self-Appraisal (Before final evaluation by immediate/Super Boss):
A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and
pulled it over to the telephone. Heclimbed onto the carton so that he
could reach the buttons on the phoneand proceeded to punch in seven
digits (phone numbers).
The Store owner observed and listened to the conversation:
Boy: "Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?"
Woman (at the other endof the phone line): "I already have someone to
cut my lawn."
Boy: "Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who
cuts yourlawn now."
Woman: "I'm very satisfied with the person who is presently cutting my lawn."
Boy (with more perseverance): "Lady, I'll even sweep your curb and
your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of
Palm beach, Florida."
Woman: "No, thank you."
With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced thephone receiver.
The Storeowner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy.
Store owner: "Son... I likeyour attitude; I like that positive spirit
and would like to offer you a job."
Boy: "No thanks."
Store owner: "But you were really pleading for one."
Boy: "No Sir, I was just checking my performance at the job I already
have. I am the one who is working for that lady, I was talking to!"
This is what we call "Self-Appraisal (Muhasebe)", which is highly
recommended, because itencourages you to be proud of your
accomplishments and candid about your weaknesses.
Have you checked the performance of your job, whatever it is? Do you
strive to make it perfect? This is what we call "Self Appraisal". Even
the word'IMPOSSIBLE' says 'I M POSSIBLE'.
Noble Qur'an: "And you see the mountains, whichyou suppose to be
stationery, while they drift like passing clouds. It is the handiwork
of Allah, Who has made everything PERFECT." (An-Naml 27:88)
Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) said, "May Allah bless the person who
performs a job with precision and perfects it".Allah is Perfect and
likes those who strive to makethings perfect.