How to Teach Quality Over Speed With Chores 

Parenting Perspective 

Redefine What ‘Success’ Looks Like 

It is natural for children to want to compete, and chores can easily become another area where they try to ‘win’ against each other. However, when the focus shifts to speed rather than care, the true purpose of responsibility is lost. As a parent, you can guide them by redefining what ‘success’ looks like in your home. 

Check How It Was Done, Not Just If It Was Done 

Instead of only checking if a task is complete, take time to check how it was done. If something is rushed and careless, gently point it out and ask them to correct it. This shows that quality matters more than speed. Over time, your children will understand that chores are not a race but a trust that must be done with care. 

Assign Chores Individually 

Another helpful step is to assign chores individually, at least sometimes. This reduces unhealthy competition and allows each child to take pride in their own efforts. When they do complete a task with care, notice it specifically. For example, instead of only saying, ‘Well done,’ you might say, ‘I appreciate how neatly you folded those clothes.’ This reinforces the idea that thoroughness and attention are valued. 

Reframe Chores as Acts of Service 

You can also introduce small family discussions about why chores matter. Keeping the home clean is not just about tidiness, but about respect for one another and gratitude for the blessings Allah has given. When children see chores as acts of service rather than just ‘jobs to finish,’ they begin to understand their deeper value. 

Spiritual Insight 

Actions Are Judged by Their Quality 

From an Islamic perspective, responsibility is always tied to sincerity, care, and excellence, not outward show or speed. Islam teaches us that actions are judged by their intention and quality. 

The Best in Deeds, Not the Most Deeds 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al-Mulk (67), Verse 2: 

‘It is He (Allah Almighty) Who has created mortal expiration and life so that you may be tested; as to which one a few (conducts himself) in better deeds…’  

Notice that Allah Almighty does not say ‘the most deeds,’ but ‘the best in deed.’ This highlights that quality and sincerity outweigh quantity or speed in the eyes of Allah. Teaching your children this principle connects their chores to a bigger lesson about life itself: doing things with care and Ihsan (excellence) matters more than rushing. 

Do Your Job With Proficiency 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 1, Hadith 134, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Allah loves that when one of you does a job, he does it with proficiency.’  

This Hadith is a powerful reminder that excellence in any responsibility, even a small household chore, is beloved to Allah. Sharing this with your children can help them see that chores are not simply about ‘getting it done,’ but about doing it well as an act of integrity and worship. 

By shifting their focus from racing to responsibility, you are teaching them a life-long principle: that care, quality, and sincerity bring greater reward than rushing, both in family life and in the sight of Allah.