Islamic understanding of Existential perfectionism
Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem.
You have chosen a term that cuts deep into the modern nafs: existential perfectionism — the spiritual exhaustion that comes from trying to “be enough” in order to deserve to exist.
It is not about excellence (iḥsān), but about survival through self-justification.
Let’s dissect this from three angles: the philosophical, the Qur’anic-anthropological, and the tasawwufī (tazkiyah) lens.
🧩 1️⃣ What is “existential perfectionism”?
In modern existential psychology, this refers to the belief that one’s worth as a being depends on flawless performance, moral purity, or constant self-improvement. It’s not just “I must do well,” but “I must be perfect or I do not deserve to be.”
It is rooted in ontological insecurity — the fear that “I have no right to exist unless I earn it.”
From an Islamic standpoint, this is a form of shirk khafī (hidden association) — because one is unconsciously seeking creation’s approval or one’s own ideal self-image instead of anchoring worth in Rabb al-‘Ālamīn.
🌿 2️⃣ The Qur’anic understanding of existence
“He created you, then proportioned you, then balanced you.” Qur’an 82 : 7
Existence in Islam is gift before achievement.
You are not valuable because you are perfect; you are commanded because you are chosen.
Allah has already declared your being meaningful by bringing you into existence and addressing you with taklīf (moral responsibility).
“We have certainly honored the children of Adam.” Qur’an 17 : 70
This verse annihilates the illusion of “I must earn worthiness.”
Your task is not to justify your being, but to purify it — tazkiyah, not perfectionism.
🕊️ 3️⃣ The disease behind existential perfectionism
| Root Disease | Arabic Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Self-deification | ‘ujb (self-admiration) | Believing the self can complete itself by its own effort. |
| Hidden despair | ya’s | Feeling that mercy must be earned, not received. |
| Misplaced drive for iḥsān | ghuluw fī al-‘amal | Exceeding bounds under the illusion of devotion. |
Ibn ‘Aṭā’ Allah al-Iskandarī said:
“Your striving for what has already been guaranteed to you is ignorance of your Lord.”
The perfectionist strives to control the narrative of his own being, forgetting that existence itself is already a mercy.
💎 4️⃣ Perfectionism vs. Iḥsān
| Existential Perfectionism | Iḥsān (Spiritual Excellence) |
|---|---|
| Seeks approval from ego or people | Seeks Allah’s pleasure (riḍā) |
| Rooted in fear of unworthiness | Rooted in love of the Real |
| Measures worth by flawlessness | Measures nearness by sincerity |
| Results in anxiety and paralysis | Results in serenity (iṭmi’nān) |
“Allah does not look at your forms or deeds, but at your hearts and intentions.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2564)
So iḥsān is perfection in orientation, not perfection in outcome.
⚙️ 5️⃣ How Shayṭān exploits existential perfectionism
This is one of his most refined deceptions:
“You must be perfect before you can stand before Allah.” Thus he transforms humility into despair and effort into self-rejection.
“I am better than him,” said Iblīs — the first perfectionist, obsessed with hierarchy. His worship was flawless, but his heart was proud.
Existential perfectionism is therefore Iblīsian at its root:
worshiping the ideal self instead of Allah.
🧘🏽♀️ 6️⃣ The cure: Tawḥīd in identity
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Affirm ontological dependence: “I exist only because He wills me.” → Recite: lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh until the heart feels release.
-
Shift from performance to presence: “My task is not to be perfect, but to be aware.” → Practice murāqabah (watchfulness) rather than self-criticism.
-
Return to the theology of mercy:
“My mercy encompasses all things.” Qur’an 7 : 156 Your existence itself is within that rahmah.
-
Redefine progress: The saint is not the one who never falls, but the one who returns every time.
“Indeed, Allah loves those who constantly repent.” Qur’an 2 : 222
💠 7️⃣ In tasawwuf terminology
Existential perfectionism is sirr al-kibr al-khafī — the subtle pride that wishes to be self-sufficient.
The station you seek is faqr (poverty to Allah): acknowledging imperfection not as failure but as the door to intimacy.
Al-Junayd said:
“The mark of true servanthood is contentment with imperfection, for perfection belongs only to Allah.”
🌙 Summary
| Aspect | Existential Perfectionism | Qur’anic Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Ontology | “I must earn existence.” | “I was created by Mercy.” (55 : 3) |
| Ethics | “I must never err.” | “Repentance is the path of the beloved.” (2 : 222) |
| Spiritual Aim | Self-sufficiency | Divine dependence |
| Outcome | Anxiety, paralysis | Humility, serenity |