When we have Azm, we have the ability, willingness, desire, and intention to do our best. However, it does not guarantee that we will do our best, since, by nature, we tend to search for shortcuts or paths of least resistance. Thus, Azm does not guarantee our work will be as error free as we can possibly make it, and that we will be able to achieve our objectives in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Similarly, Azm does not guarantee that our work is as comprehensive as possible, or that we are able to identify all possible contingencies and scenarios and address them. To ensure the quality or comprehensiveness of the work we do, we need a value that will drive us to give our best. We need the value of It’qan.
The literal translation of It’qan is perfection. To us, however, It’qan is about how we strive for perfection by adopting the main drivers of perfection: caution and care. By being cautious about our work, what we deliver to others, and what we are responsible for, we will always be vigilant about the quality of our work. We will be driven to investigate/review our work in detail to remove any problems or errors. We will be driven to ensure that what we deliver is done to the best of our abilities and that no stone is left unturned. We will be driven to ensure that all contingencies or possibilities are investigated and addressed by the work we present. We will ensure that we utilize all the knowledge and help we have available to us. We will contemplate as many possible outcomes of our actions as possible and develop contingencies for each. Once we are continuously driven by this care to do our best, we will have acquired the value of It’qan.
Having adopted and implemented the value of It’qan means we will tend to produce high quality work. This tendency to consistently produce good work might gradually instill in us the belief that we are “experts” at what we do, and that there is little left for us to learn. This belief can ultimately lead to arrogance and a retrenching of the obstacles to success. Thus, to ensure we avoid this trap and remain on the path to success, it is essential that we review these four values continuously and make all of them an integral part of our daily lives. That is, we need to revisit our Tawado, Iq’tida, Azm, and It’qan regularly.