“I’ve migrated, it’s already halal, but why is my business still making a loss?”
We hear phrases like that all too often. You’ve probably even experienced it yourself: you’ve abandoned usury, upheld your contract, and made the intention to please Allah, but your goods still don’t sell, your cash flow is tight, and some even end up going bankrupt.
Then cynical voices began to emerge, both from outside and from within myself:
“Is it true that sharia business is a realistic path?”
“Could it be that it’s just idealism, it doesn’t fit with the real world?”
Be patient. Take a breath.
We need to distinguish between the right path and instant results . Sharia law is no guarantee that our business will always be profitable. But one thing is certain: Sharia law guarantees that our actions are free from sin . And that, frankly, is worth far more than mere profit figures.
Profit and loss are part of Allah’s destiny . But destiny is not an excuse to give up or let go. Instead, it’s an invitation to continue learning, evaluating, and upgrading your strategy. Perhaps it’s not your intentions that are wrong, but your methods that need restructuring.
The halal path may not be as fast as the cheating path. But it has something unbeatable: blessings.
Islamic Law is a Foundation, Not a Magic Tool
We sometimes have the expectation that if it’s sharia-compliant, everything should run smoothly. But it’s not that simple. Islam teaches us to conduct transactions lawfully and honestly , but it also requires us to understand the context.
If your business is losing money, it might not be because of flawed principles, but because you lack market research, don’t understand positioning, or lack a solid branding strategy. So, it’s understandable if the results aren’t what you hoped for.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself once gave advice to Medina farmers regarding date palm pollination techniques. But the results are not good. Then he said:
أَنْتُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِأُمُورِ دُنْيَاكُمْ
“You are more knowledgeable about your worldly affairs.”
(HR. Muslim no. 4358)
Well, here’s an important lesson: in worldly technical matters like trade, production, and team management, we must continue to learn . Sharia provides boundaries between what is halal and what is haram, but to build a house, we must have skills and strategies.
So, even if your business is in accordance with Islamic law but isn’t generating revenue, it doesn’t necessarily mean the principles are flawed. It could be that your methods and strategies need to be restructured. Islamic law remains the foundation, but the technical steps still need to be refined.
Now, this is where it’s important to learn the difference: when to change your approach and when to stick to your principles. Let’s continue discussing how to evaluate strategy without sacrificing our values.
Also read: Helping and Assisting Fellow Muslims
Evaluate Strategy, Not Change Principles
The most common mistake: when a business is losing money, it’s the principles that are abandoned. What really needs to be reexamined is the strategy . Perhaps your product isn’t relevant enough, its value hasn’t been captured, or your marketing isn’t optimal.
Umar bin Khattab radhiyallāhu ‘anhu once said:
لَا يَبِعْ فِي سُوقِنَا إِلَّا مَنْ قَدْ تَفَقَّهَ فِي الدِّين ِ
“Don’t let anyone trade in our market except people who understand fiqh (religion).” (HR. At-Tirmidhi)
What does it mean? Don’t be reckless in entering the business world without understanding two things at once: Islamic law and commerce . Good intentions are important. But business requires more than just intentions. It also requires tactical moves .
And remember, a halal path doesn’t mean it’s free from trials. In fact, sometimes God gives us challenges not because we’re misguided, but because He’s teaching us to level up.
Also read: Financial Planning in Times of Crisis
The Test Is Not a Sign of Failure
Sometimes we’re too quick to conclude, “I failed.” But that’s not necessarily true. In Islam, trials aren’t evidence of failure, but rather a process of maturation. Even the Companions experienced losses in business, but they didn’t blame Islam. They introspected , upgraded their knowledge, and maintained their honesty.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ اللهَ يُحِبُّ إِذَا عَمِلَ أَحَدُكُمْ عَمَلًا أَنْ يُتْقِنَهُ
“Indeed, Allah loves a servant who, when he works, does it professionally.”
(HR. Ṭabarāni – ḥasan li ghairihi)
Professionalism in Islamic law is not only about honesty and trustworthiness, but also about competence. We can’t rely solely on enthusiasm and idealism; we must also be realistic and competent in the field.
Sometimes Allah ﷻ allows us to fall. But not to crush us. Instead, it’s to teach us to stand stronger.
Also read: How to Protect Yourself from Inflation through Islamic Investment
Conclusion: Don’t Leave the Path to Blessings for Quick Profits
When you’re at a low point, there are many temptations. They range from changing direction, changing principles, and sometimes even taking shortcuts that aren’t halal. But remember, sharia isn’t a shortcut; it’s a straight path. It’s not fast, but it gets you there .
Allah ﷻ says:
وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِير ٍ
“Whatever misfortune befalls you, it is caused by the actions of your own hands. And Allah forgives many (of your mistakes).” (QS. Asy-Syūrā : 30)
So, instead of blaming Islamic sharia, it’s better for us to honestly look at: “What do I need to improve?”
It’s better to be slow but clean, than fast but sacrifice your trust. Because in the afterlife, what will be weighed is not just your revenue, but the path you choose to get there .
Because a business that complies with Islamic law isn’t magic. Rather, it’s the best compass to help us avoid getting lost. This path may be long and full of twists and turns, but God willing, every step counts as an act of worship.
If you haven’t succeeded today, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Perhaps your resolve is simply being tested. So persevere. Keep trying. And never trade blessings for shortcuts.
Also read: Status-Driven Lifestyles in Islam
Let’s Visit, Zeed and join for halal investment with Zeed.
Reference:
Al-Qur’an Al karim. Accessed from: https://tafsirweb.com/
Tirmidhi, Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa. Sunan At-Tirmidhi . Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/
Muslim bin al-Hajjaj al-Qushayri. Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim . No. 4358. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim/4358
Ṭabarāni, Sulaiman bin Ahmad. Al-Mu’jam al-Awsath .
