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As for ihsān (excellence), it is explained in his words:

“Worship Allah as though you see Him; for even though you do not see Him, He sees you.”

It has been said that ihsān means sincerity. The precise view, however, is that ihsān encompasses sincerity and more: it combines perfect sincerity to Allah with the performance of good deeds that Allah loves. Allah Most High says:

“Yes, whoever submits himself to Allah while doing good will have his reward with his Lord. No fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.”

And Allah Most High says:

“And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while doing good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining to truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend.”

Thus He first mentions excellence in religion, then mentions doing good. Excellence in religion is—and Allah knows best—the ihsān asked about in the hadith of Gabriel, for he asked him about Islam and faith; so in . . . (1)