“We are proud to say our business is halal, but we are still afraid of ‘unlucky days’?”
It’s funny how sometimes the “sharia” label is applied, but the faith is still mixed, not yet fully trusting in Allah ﷻ . The strategy may be Islamic, but the steps are still waiting for a “good day.” It’s as if blessings can be scheduled by the calendar, not bestowed through piety.
Have you ever seen someone wait for a “good day” before starting a business? Or wait for a “good feeling” before signing a partnership? They say they don’t rely on luck, but rather “just maintain a good vibe.”
In fact, if you look closely, the vibe is quite similar to the traditions of the Jahiliyah era. The only difference is the tools. While people used to wait for birds to fly to the right, today people wait for “universe signs” or read “lucky numbers.”
It’s funny, isn’t it? People used to look for birds, but now they look for doors.
Yet it’s the same thing: relying on signs for good luck or bad luck, not on Allah ﷻ . And therein lies the subtle disease: polytheism packaged in modern packaging.
Modern Tathayyur: When Jahiliyyah Changes Clothes
In ancient times, Arabs had a custom called tathayyur, a belief in whether something was unlucky or lucky. If they saw a bird flying to the left, they would cancel their trip. If it was to the right, they would continue on their way. All important decisions depended on the bird’s direction, not on the approval or displeasure of Allah ﷻ .
The Prophet ﷺ said:
لاَ عَدْوَى، وَلاَ طِيَرَةَ، وَيُعْجِبُنِي الْفَأْلُ ”. قَالُوا وَمَا الْفَأْلُ قَالَ ” كَلِمَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ ٌ
“There is no ‘adwā (infection that is believed to occur without Allah’s permission), there is no ṭiyarah (sign of bad luck or luck), and what pleases me is fa’l.” The companions asked, “What is fa’l, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ ?” He answered, “Good words.” (Hadith History of al-Bukhari , no. 5776)
This means that Islam rejects all forms of belief that good or bad luck comes from certain signs.
But how is this different from modern people who believe in “lucky dates/times” or “lucky directions”? The logic is the same: locating good luck or bad luck on symbols, not on Allah ﷻ .
Now, even the terms have changed. It used to be “bird,” now “positive energy.” It used to be “shaman,” now “spiritual consultant.” But the essence remains: subordinating monotheism to good fortune or bad luck.
And this isn’t just a matter of faith, actually, but also simple logic. If it’s true that the direction of a door can bring good luck or bad luck, why are so many people whose doors face “north” still bankrupt?
Also read: The Concept of Sustenance and How It Is Perceived in Islam
Business Without Tawhid: Sophisticated in Strategy, Fragile in Faith
Many Muslim businesspeople today are highly sophisticated in strategies, from market analysis and branding to digital automation. But when it comes to spiritual decisions, such as luck or bad luck, logic suddenly stops.
“I don’t think we should launch this month, because the stars aren’t looking good.”
“They say that if you start on Tuesday, your business will have a long life.”
At first glance, it sounds trivial. But that’s precisely the problem, because modern shirk often comes in vague terms and seems true.
In fact, Rasulullah ﷺ said:
الطِّيَرَةُ شِرْكٌ الطِّيَرَةُ شِرْكٌ» ثَلاَثًا «وَمَا مِنَّا إِلاَّ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ يُذْهِبُهُ بِالتَّوَكُّلِ
“Taking signs (ṭiyarah) is shirk, taking signs shirk.” (mentioned three times) “And there is nothing among us unless it has a sign, but Allah removes it by relying (on Him).” (Hadith History of Abi Dawud no. 3910)
Just imagine. Not only those who worship idols, but also those who delay decisions out of fear of unlucky days are committing shirk.
Imam Ibnul Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) explained:
“Tathayyur arises because the heart does not rely completely on Allah. It fears something other than Allah, hopes in something other than Allah.” (Zādu al-Ma’ād, 2/441)
So the problem isn’t just faith, but also a dependency of the heart. When the heart isn’t convinced that Allah determines good fortune or bad, the brain will seek a substitute, whether it’s numbers, directions, or dates.
Also read: How to Build Tawakkal in Allah ﷻ While Doing Business
Monotheism in the Business World
Tawhid is not just a matter for mosques. It must also be present in boardrooms, business proposals, and every financial decision.
We often say “everything is by Allah’s permission , ” but secretly we are still waiting for a sign: the direction of the door, a good date, or a “lucky feeling.”
In fact, as soon as the heart clings to other than Allah ﷻ , no matter how small, that is where our monotheism in terms of trust in Allah is cracked.
Trust in Allah ﷻ is not surrender without effort, but guarding the heart so that it does not change the place of dependence.
Allah ﷻ says:
وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ ُ
“Whoever puts his trust in Allah, then Allah is sufficient for him.” (Quran Surah At-Talaq [65]: 3)
But remember, the meaning of tawakkul to Allah ﷻ is not just saying “I leave it to Allah ﷻ ” at the end of the effort. He has three phases that show the purity of a servant’s monotheism:
First, tawakkul meaning to Allah ﷻ before making a move, a person who believes in monotheism must organize his intentions, not even asking “which direction is lucky” , but “is this step acceptable?”
Second, tawakkul meaning to Allah ﷻ when doing good deeds, he works hard without panic, because what he is looking for is not a sign, but blessings in every process.
Third, tawakkul meaning to Allah ﷻ when the results come, he is pleased: because for believers, profit and loss are only two ways of Allah ﷻ in educating the hearts of His servants.
This is business logic based on monotheism. The best decisions are not made based on natural signs, but on the serenity of faith.
Before deciding something, don’t ask what the best date is , but ask, “Is this halal?”, “Is this honest?”, “Will this bring me closer to Allah’s pleasure ? “
If the answer is yes , then that’s your good day .
Also read: How to Earn Halal Income in Tough Times
Closing: Between Hoki and Hidayah
Sometimes we call ourselves “Muslim entrepreneurs,” but we’re still afraid to start on an “unlucky day.” We diligently pray for sustenance, but still wait for a signal from the door. We talk about Allah’s destiny , but still believe that numbers and directions can change our fate.
In fact, if the heart already believes there is another power behind the cause, it means there is an empty space that has not been filled by monotheism. And that empty space, no matter how small, can grow into a gap of shirk if not immediately filled with knowledge and faith.
Luck may soothe for a moment, but guidance soothes forever.
May every step of our business and work be directed not by false signs, but by the light of His guidance. And may Allah ﷻ make our hearts depend only on Him before, during and after every deed.
Because the most profitable business is not one with lots of customers, but one whose income is free from polytheism.
“Sustenance is not about direction, but about the direction of the heart. Whether it is towards Allah ﷻ , or turning away from Him.”
Also read: The Benefit of Investing Since Youth
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Reference
Al-Qur’an. Al-Karim.
Bukhari. Sahih Bukhari , Hadith no. 5776. Accessed from https://sunnah.com/bukhari:5776
Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith no. 3910. Accessed from https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3910
Ibnul Qayyim. Zādu al-Ma’ād fī Hadyi Khairil ‘Ibād , 2/441.
Ibnul Qayyim. Al-Fawāid , p. 90.