AL SALAM ALAIKUM 🌱 

You might be surprised to hear this, but I've found an unexpected yet profound source of guidance for my entrepreneurial journey in the Noble Quran. 

Its timeless and divine wisdom applies to all aspects of life, including business.

I'm excited to share this journey with you through a special series of newsletters.

In this edition and future newsletters, we'll explore the invaluable lessons I've learned about entrepreneurship from the Quran. I'm hoping to give you some practical takeaways to help you on your path.

This week, we're delving into the first of these Quranic lessons that significantly altered my approach to life and work: prioritization.

😓 Struggles with Balancing Prayer & Work

In the rollercoaster ride of building my company, I was stuck in a familiar tug-of-war between work and prayer.

Meetings, sales calls, and an endless stream of tasks always took precedence over those quiet moments of connection through prayer.

I justified this imbalance, convincing myself that work should dominate my time while prayers could easily be squeezed in later. 

And so, I rushed through prayers, my mind consumed by budgets, looming deadlines, and unfinished projects.

There was a lingering discomfort each time I delayed or missed a prayer, but I pushed those feelings aside, promising myself to do better next time. 

This cycle continued, each day blending into the next without much reflection.

💡The Moment of Realization

Then, unexpectedly, two verses from Surah Al Jumu’ah crossed my path and resonated deeply with my struggles:

These two powerful verses made me pause and rethink my priorities.

While I meticulously planned my life around my business, I realized that I had overlooked the essence of prayer and remembrance in shaping my daily life.

🤍 Embracing the Quranic Guidance

Navigating the entrepreneurial journey while maintaining our spiritual commitments can often be a balancing act.

As I said, trust me, I've been there and understand the challenges.

But I also found an unexpectedly profound source of guidance in the Quran that changed my perspective.

I learned that prioritization transcends mere time management. It demands a deliberate alignment of my day around what truly matters, with prayer at the forefront.

This shift wasn't easy but brought a newfound sense of balance and purpose.

After a series of trials and errors, I have finally reached a point where I structure my day around the timings of the daily prayers. This has become a non-negotiable part of my routine. Whenever I plan my work, calls, or meetings, I do so with my prayer timings in mind.

I've learned to welcome quiet and intentional prayer breaks, which nourish my soul. During prayer, I do my best to disconnect from worldly life and connect with the Sustainer and Provider, returning to work with a renewed sense of purpose.

The lesson of prioritizing prayer over business from Surah Al Jumu’ah is particularly relevant to entrepreneurship.

It reminds us to elevate our spiritual well-being and connection above immediate worldly concerns, even when business matters seem urgent and all-consuming.

🌟 The Deep Connection Between Prayer, Remembrance, and Success

I also discovered the deep connection between prayer, remembrance, and success.

Prayer is akin to the backbone of a company, fostering routine and consistency, essential traits for navigating the unpredictable entrepreneurship journey.

Moreover, remembering God constantly reminds us of our broader purpose, ensuring alignment with our mission and values.

I learned that when you fully understand your divine purpose, why you are put on Earth, and your business's role in your life, it becomes easier to distinguish what is important from what is not. This clarity allows for effective prioritization.

This journey has taught me my first key lesson: Prioritize prayer first and business second.

This approach has not only helped me navigate the complexities of business but has also led to a more holistic and fulfilling approach to entrepreneurship.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Remember, prioritizing prayer and your spiritual commitments is not just essential; it's transformative. As you structure your day around prayer times, you'll likely find balance and purpose seeping into all aspects of your life, including your entrepreneurial journey.

2. The Quran teaches us to differentiate between important divine obligations and what may seem urgent; this wisdom is a game-changer. This mindset shift can help you focus on becoming a better Muslim and prioritizing what truly moves the needle in your business.

3. Lastly, taking the time to understand your divine purpose and your business's role in your life can be enlightening. This clarity around what genuinely matters paves the way for a more fulfilling and holistic approach to entrepreneurship.

So, my challenge for you this week is to pause and examine your own prioritization patterns.

Are you inadvertently sidelining your prayers to pursue your entrepreneurial and professional pursuits?

Here are some self-reflection questions to get you thinking about your prioritization patterns:

1. Reflect on your typical day. How often is prayer your first priority? If it isn't, identify ways you can adjust your schedule to ensure prayer is a non-negotiable appointment in your daily routine.

2. Consider the last time you postponed or skipped a prayer due to a business commitment. How did that make you feel, and how can you prevent this from happening?

3. Identify a time when you felt particularly at peace after prioritizing prayer over business. How did it affect your productivity and state of mind? Strive to replicate that experience next week.

4. Think about your current business challenges. How could incorporating more time for prayer and spiritual reflection help you navigate these challenges?

5. Reflect on your business successes. Can you see a correlation between these successes and times when you were most consistent in your prayer?

💌 What Do You Think? Hit Reply & Share Your Thoughts

I hope you found this lesson as transformative as I did. I look forward to sharing another Quranic lesson from my entrepreneurship journey with you next week, inshAllah.

In the meantime, I’m curious to hear from you. What’s your biggest takeaway? Just hit “reply” to get in touch or to introduce yourself. I’d love to hear from you! 😊 

🤲 Closing Dua

May Allah grant us the strength and consistency to prioritize and uphold our prayers and give us the wisdom and discernment to prioritize what truly matters in our businesses and our lives.

Ameen.

ned