Al Salam Alaikum 🌱 

Tomorrow marks the sacred Day of Ashura, and today I begin a special three-part series that will unfold across these blessed days.

We’re going to explore one of history’s most powerful lessons in entrepreneurial leadership- the moment when Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) stood between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea.

⚡️ The Ultimate Entrepreneurial Crisis

Picture this: You’ve built your startup, gathered your team, and made the bold decision to leave the “safety” of employment (Egypt).

But now you’re trapped.

Behind you is everything you left- the job, the steady paycheck, the criticism of those who said you’d fail (Pharaoh’s army).

Ahead of you is an impossible barrier- no funding, fierce competition, or a market that seems impenetrable (the Red Sea).

Your team is panicking. “We are surely overtaken!” (Quran 26:62) they cry, just as the Israelites cried to Prophet Musa.

But listen to Prophet Musa’s response- the response of a true faith-first leader:

3️⃣ Three Leadership Principles from the Shoreline

1. Maintain Clam When Logic Says Panic

Prophet Musa didn’t have a Plan B visible to human eyes, yet he remained unshaken. As faith-first entrepreneurs, we face moments when the spreadsheet says “impossible,” when advisors say “pivot,” when family says “get a real job.”

But faith-first leadership means holding onto divine guidance even when human wisdom fails.

Next time you face a crisis, before calling an emergency meeting or making rushed decisions, take time for prayer and reflection. Your calm will either spread panic or peace through your organization.

2. Speak Certainty into Uncertainty

Prophet Musa didn’t say “I hope my Lord will help me” or “Maybe we’ll find a way.” He declared with absolute certainty: “My Lord is certainly with me; He will guide me.” (Quran 26:62). This isn’t bold optimism- it’s faith-based certainty that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Your words as a leader create reality. When you speak with faith-backed certainty about your company’s mission, your team begins to see possibilities they couldn’t see before.

3. Keep Your Eyes on the Source, Not the Source’s Timeline

Prophet Musa knew that Allah (SWT) would provide guidance, but he didn’t know exactly when or how. He didn’t spend time calculating the speed of approaching chariots versus the time needed for a miracle. He focused on his relationship with the Ultimate Source, Allah (SWT).

🌊 The Entrepreneurial Shoreline Moment

Every successful entrepreneur has a “shoreline moment”- when they must choose between the fear behind them and the faith in what lies ahead.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) had his shoreline moment during the Hijrah (migration) from Makkah to Medinah. Pursued by enemies, he took refuge in the cave of Thawr with Abu Bakar (May Allah be pleased with him).

Fear loomed behind, but faith pushed them forward- trusting in Allah’s promise.

That moment marked the beginning of a new era, laying the foundation for the Islamic civilization.

Steve Jobs had it when he was fired from Apple. Oprah had it when she was told she was “unfit for television news.”

Each faced a crossroads- and chose to move forward with conviction rather than retreat in fear.

Your shoreline moment isn’t a dead end- it’s where miracles happen. But only if you lead like Prophet Musa: with unshakeable faith, calm certainty, and complete trust in divine timing.

1. Identify Your Current “Army and Sea” Situation: What feels impossible in your business right now? Write it down specifically.

2. Practice the Prophet Musa Declaration: For the next 7 days, when faced with any business challenge, respond with: “My Lord is with me; He will guide me” before taking any action.

3. Lead with Calm: Choose one area where you’ve been showing stress or panic to your team. This week, approach it with visible calm and faith-based certainty.

Tomorrow (inshAllah) we’ll explore what happened in that split second when Prophet Musa stepped toward the sea- before it parted. The moment every entrepreneur must master: acting on faith before seeing the full path.

🤲 Closing Dua

“May Allah grant us the leadership strength of Prophet Musa as we face our impossible moments.”

Ameen