Key to Business Success in Islam

When we talk about success it is often linked with productivity. The names like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and other well-known figures. These are billionaires that own household brands. Basically, they are rich and famous. They are the role models of today because of the wealth they amass. 

The people above have made great strides and their achievements should be respected, they must have done something right with their time. 

They are looked up to and idolized because the world defines success based on fame and fortune. As Muslims, our goals must not be about fame and fortune. Yes, we can have that but it must not define who we are. 

The rich and famous are infamous for the number of hours they put in. Their productivity and their ability to get things done. It makes you wonder, they are probably millions of others emulating their footsteps. But they don’t all produce the same result, most are just surviving. 

So as Muslims, we must look not just at the iceberg but also at what is beneath the iceberg. Then you realize that they produce extraordinary results because of one thing.

How to Increase Business In Islam – The Success Formula in Islam

As Muslims, we have a simple hack, to attain impactful productivity, rise above the clutter and produce masterpieces from chaos.

The Prophet used to say that

 “Whoever makes the Hereafter his goal, Allah makes his heart rich, and organizes his affairs, and the world comes to him whether it wants to or not”. 

Hadith, at-Tirmidhi

This is the effortless path to great success, who am I to make such a judgment, well I interviewed countless successful Muslims all over the world. And I witnessed this statement come true in several people I interviewed.

They came out of nowhere, no funding, no connections and suddenly they just elevated to owning not one but several profitable start-ups that span several continents. They seem to thrive no matter whether there is an economic crisis, pandemic and by pass the corruption that is accepted as “the cost of doing business”.

Analogically speaking as if Allah opened doors for them, like he parted the red sea for prophet Musa عليه السلام. 

Why choose hardship when there is ease?

But for the majority of the people I interviewed, they are still stuck with the normal way of doing things. They work extremely hard, try to remain productive all the time.  This is the Western way of doing things. It is a numbers game the more you trym the greater chances you have of making it. But there is no guarantee. 

People in this type of frame of thinking tend to exclude Allah’s will out of the equation of success. Although they are not consciously doing it. But they are denying the role of Allah in their success. 

If you look at Surah Al-Lail, not at the Tafseer but just the literal meaning especially from Ayah 4-13.

By the night as it envelops (1); And by the day as it appears in brightness (2); And by Him Who created male and female (3); Certainly, your efforts and deeds are diverse (different in aims and purposes) (4); As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him (5), And believes in Al-Husna (6). We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness) (7). But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient (8). And gives the lie to Al-Husna (see Verse No: 6 ) (9); We will make smooth for him the path for evil (10); And what will his wealth benefit him when he goes down (in destruction) (11). Truly! Ours it is (to give) guidance (12), And truly, unto Us (belong) the last (Hereafter) and the first (this world) (13).

Quran, English Translation of Surah al-Layl (The Night), ch92 : v1-13)

You will be reminded that some of these people that we are taking as role models do not acknowledge the existence of Allah. They don’t need Allah 

What does Allah says about them?

                              Allah we ease him towards difficulty 

Allah says that he will make things difficult for them. They have to work twice, thrice or more to get what could have been given to them on a silver platter. 

They are deprived from any form of Barakah or blessings in their time, efforts, health, relationship, family, and all the things that matter in this life and the next. 

Now think back, about your life, do you seem to have endless tasks that you never seem to get done? Why is it that you went on a retreat, hired consultants came up with a meticulous roadmap to success, yet you are busy with fire fighting, ad hoc stuff. 

The reason is simple when you left Allah out of your roadmap to success. Thus no matter how hard you try you will never gain a true sense of accomplishment in this world. 

Feature image credit: Depositphotos

Making Akhirah Your Professional Goal

But how do you put the Akhirah as your goal in your professional life? It is much easier than you think, but it takes courage. Most people would dismiss making Akhirah their goal, and solve their worldly problem. 

But I am speaking from experience, the people that put Akhirah first sincerely, rizq come to them. They will attract the right team, whatever they need will be brought to them through a series of coincidences.