Sometimes we wonder why some people’s businesses are so successful, yet their faces still look anxious. They change cars every year, but they never sleep well. Money flows freely, but their hearts are dry.
In today’s business world, “steady profits” is often the benchmark for success. However, there’s another aspect that often slips through our fingers without us realizing it: faith and sharia. Yes, what used to be foundational has now become merely a formality.
We may not intend to deviate, but in the desire for quick profits, we sometimes sacrifice methods and principles. Yet, if our faith begins to erode, no amount of profit will compensate for the loss.
Profit Isn’t Always a Blessing
Sometimes we forget that a lot of money doesn’t necessarily mean blessings. Some people have little income but live a peaceful life. Others earn billions in revenue but are busy chasing things they don’t even know what they’re doing.
Blessings are not about the numbers in your bank account, but about a calm open heart and a clean path . Allah ﷻ has reminded us in His Word:
يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ
“Allah destroys usury and enriches charity. And Allah does not like anyone who remains in disbelief and wallows in sin.” (Quran Surah Al-Baqarah [2]: 276)
Rasulullah ﷺ also said:
لَا يَرْبُو لَحْمٌ نَبَتَ مِنْ سُحْتٍ إِلَّا كَانَتِ النَّارُ أَوْلَى بِهِ
“Flesh that grows from something that is forbidden, then hell is more deserving for it.” (Hadith History of At-Tirmidhi, no. 614)
Sometimes we feel, “Ah, it’s just a small transaction.” But from that “mere” sin can arise that erode blessings. Instead of increasing prosperity, it becomes a source of anxiety.
“Halal profits are not just a matter of ‘permissible or not’, but about what Allah ﷻ is pleased with.”
Also read: How to Build Tawakkal in Allah ﷻ While Doing Business
When Sharia Became a Formality
It’s funny how many of these days use the “sharia” label, but the content is… well, very similar to conventional systems. Sometimes it’s just the packaging that’s different, but the intent and the intent are the same: to maximize profit, regardless of whether it’s halal or haram.
In fact, sharia is not an accessory in a business brochure, but a guide to life.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
التَّاجِرُ الصَّدُوقُ الْأَمِينُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ
“Honest and trustworthy traders will be with the prophets, the righteous and the martyrs.” (Hadith History of At-Tirmidhi, no. 1209)
Honesty and trustworthiness are two seemingly simple qualities, but they’re often the hardest to maintain once a business starts to grow. People can lose their cool. Sometimes, to protect their brand image, they’re even willing to hide the truth.
“Sharia is not just a business label, but also the way we think and conduct transactions.”
Also read: The Concept of Sustenance and How It Is Perceived in Islam
Leaking Faith, Dry Heart
There’s one thing we often don’t realize: when our hearts are too fixated on the world, our faith slowly erodes. Faith is no longer a guiding principle, but merely a decorative word in our Instagram bio.
In fact, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once warned:
تَعِسَ عَبْدُ الدِّينَارِ وَعَبْدُ الدِّرْهَمِ
“Woe to the slaves of the dinar and the slaves of the dirham (lovers of money).”
(Hadith History of Al-Bukhari, no. 2887)
“Wretched” does not mean bankrupt materially, but bankrupt spiritually.
When money becomes a minor god in our lives, our direction goes astray. People become afraid of poverty but not afraid of sin. They fear failure but not afraid of breaking sharia.
Imam Ibnul Qayyim Rahimullah once said:
“Every time the heart is inclined towards the world, the spirit will lose light and clarity.” (Madarij As-Salikin, Volume 1, p. 452)
Sometimes we only realize it after it’s too late, when money no longer brings us happiness, but instead adds to our anxiety.
“It’s not just your wallet that’s leaking, but your faith is slowly being drained.”
Also read: The Benefit of Investing Since Youth
Conclusion: Back to Patching the Leak
Profit is necessary, but it’s not everything. No matter how large your turnover is, without blessings, your results are just meaningless numbers.
If today we feel full of life but empty inside, perhaps it’s a sign to pause. Re-examine: is this sustenance still flowing through the path that Allah ﷻ approves ? Are our intentions still pure, or have they begun to leak along the way?
Blessed sustenance isn’t the most abundant, but the purest. And if Allah ﷻ is pleased, no matter how small the result, the open heart remains.
“True profit is not when your balance increases, but when your heart grows closer to Allah ﷻ .”
Also read: How to Earn Halal Income in Tough Times
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Reference:
Al-Qur’an, Al-Karim
At-Tirmidhi. Sunan At-Tirmidhi , Hadith no. 614. Accessed from: https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:614
At-Tirmidhi. Sunan At-Tirmidhi , Hadith no. 1209. Accessed from: https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:1209
Al-Bukhari. Sahih Al-Bukhari , Hadith no. 2887. Accessed from: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:2887
Ibnul Qayyim. Madarij As-Salikin , Volume 1, p. 452.