Reflecting on My Relentless Pursuit to Build a Million Dollar Company

Al Salam Alaikum 🌱 

I hope this email finds you in the best of health and imman, and that you are experiencing the blessings of Allah in every aspect of your life.

Today, I want to share a deeply personal story with you that many of us can relate to on some level.

💸 The Hidden Dangers of Misguided Ambition

For years, I relentlessly pursued the elusive “dream” of building a million-dollar company, driven by the allure of financial success and the recognition that often accompanies it.

Day in and day out, I poured my heart and soul into my entrepreneurial endeavors, sacrificing not only my time and energy but also my health, family, social life, and regrettably, the very foundation of my faith in the process.

I became so consumed by the business goals that I lost sight of what truly mattered- my relationship with Allah.

🕌 Losing Sight of Faith in My Journey to Entrepreneurship

As time (read this as YEARS) went on, the hidden costs of my relentless pursuit gradually became apparent.

A gnawing void began to take hold in my heart as I realized that while my business was flourishing, my imaan- my spiritual connection with my Creator- was gradually dwindling.

I became increasingly disconnected from my daily spiritual practices, neglecting my prayers and losing sight of the true purpose of my existence.

In essence, I had unwittingly become a slave to the materialistic world, ceaselessly chasing after worldly gains while inadvertently neglecting my spiritual well-being and my ultimate accountability in the hereafter.

🔭 Your Worldview Determines Your End Game

Looking back, I fell into the same mindset that many entrepreneurs adopt- the belief that we must grow for growth’s sake, raise funds, boost the company’s valuation, offer returns to shareholders, etc.

As Muslim entrepreneurs, if we don’t define our measures of success for ourselves, we risk falling into this trap, constantly comparing ourselves to others along the way.

I’m not against generating income and building wealth (the halal way), particularly when it involves creating valuable products and services that fulfill global needs and serve communities. In fact, it is encouraged in Islam, and I fully endorse it.

However, my experience has shown me the importance of defining my end goal, drawing from an Islamic worldview, not a secular worldview that values transient and worldly success.

🗒️ Practical Lessons From My Journey (So Far)

Through this profound experience of self-reflection and introspection, I gained invaluable insights that I feel compelled to share with you:

1. Always Put God First: In our pursuit of worldly ambitions, we must never lose sight of the importance of our faith. No matter how lofty our business aspirations may be, we must always prioritize maintaining a strong and unwavering connection with our Creator, seeking His guidance and blessings in every aspect of our lives.

2. Strike a Balance: The key to true success in Islam lies in balancing our worldly pursuits and spiritual obligations. It is of utmost importance that we allocate dedicated time for our business while prioritizing moments of worship, reflection, and acts of service that nurture our soul and bring us closer to Allah.

3. Uphold Business Integrity: As Muslim entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, we must build successful businesses while remaining steadfast in our commitment to ethical and Islamic values and principles. Honesty, fairness, and compassion should be among the guiding principles permeating every facet of our entrepreneurial journey. By conducting our business affairs with integrity, we not only foster a sense of trust and respect within our communities but also earn the pleasure and blessings of Allah.

4. Evaluate Your Intentions: Regularly assessing your intentions and motivations is an indispensable practice in your journey as a Muslim entrepreneur. We must constantly question our underlying motivations (just like I did and still do)- are we pursuing wealth and recognition for the sake of our egos, or are we genuinely seeking to make a positive impact on society and fulfill our role as Allah’s vicegerents (Khalifa) on Earth? By continually aligning our intentions with the values and teachings of Islam, we can ensure that our entrepreneurial endeavors are driven by genuine sincerity and a higher purpose.

5. Make Time for Self-Reflection & Self-Care: Amid our ceaseless pursuits, we must carve out moments for self-reflection and self-care. Taking the time to nurture our minds, bodies, and souls is not only essential for maintaining a healthy balance in our lives, but it is also a spiritual obligation. By prioritizing self-care, we can ensure that we are equipped to face the challenges and demands of entrepreneurship while remaining grounded in our faith.

6. Knowledge Is Your Shield: The quest for knowledge should be an ongoing and perpetual endeavor in our lives, both in our chosen business field and in matters of faith. By actively seeking beneficial knowledge and deepening our understanding of Islam and our perspective business domains, we can align our actions and decisions with our core values and Islamic principles. This continuous pursuit of knowledge will enhance our personal and spiritual growth and enable us to make more informed and impactful contributions to society.

✨ From Purely Material Success to Spiritual Fulfillment

I have realized that true success lies not in material achievements or financial gains but in the contentment of the heart and the eternal pleasure of Allah.

As you embark on your entrepreneurial ventures, remember that your ultimate goal should not solely revolve around financial gain.

Instead, your focus should always be on seeking Allah's divine blessings (barakah) in all your endeavors.

When you prioritize seeking His pleasure and blessings above all else, success naturally follows in its wake.

I have shifted my focus from merely wanting to build a million-dollar company to building a sustainable business that genuinely benefits others while maintaining a steadfast connection with my faith.

This transformation has been life-changing, and I hope the personal lessons I have shared resonate with you on some level.

As mentioned in my Welcome email, this initiative was born out of my desire to participate in a different game than the secular business game that dominates the world.

As part of your self-evaluation and personal and spiritual growth, reflect on your entrepreneurial journey with this five-day weekly challenge:

Day 1: Reflect on your current priorities and values. Are they aligned with your faith and spiritual well-being? Take some time to reassess and make any necessary adjustments.

Day 2: Practice mindfuln. ess and gratitude. Each day, take a few moments to reflect on the blessings in your life and express gratitude to Allah for them. This can help shift your focus from worldly pursuits to spiritual fulfillment.

Day 3: Dedicate time each day for spiritual practices. Set aside specific times for extra prayers, recitation of the Qur’an, and other acts of worship. Commit to be consistent and present in these practices.

Day 4: Engage in acts of kindness and service. Look for opportunities to help others and positively impact your community. This can be through volunteering, donating, or simply offering support to those in need.

Day 5: Take a moment to define what success means to you. What is your ultimate goal? What do you aim to achieve with your business, and why? How can you align your ambitions with your higher purpose?

🤲 Dua

Let us strive together to build businesses that bring us worldly success and contribute to the betterment of society and the Ummah and the fulfillment of our divine purpose as servants of Allah.

P.S. I recently created a LinkedIn account. If you're also on LinkedIn, connect with me there to see my daily content 😊