When we hear the words “start a business,” our immediate thoughts are usually what product to sell, who the market is, and let’s be honest how much profit we can make. That’s perfectly natural. But as Muslims, business is more than just a way to earn a living or supplement our income. It can be a field of worship, a place where we uphold Islamic values, devote our best energy, and provide broad benefits to the community.
But none of this will work without one crucial thing: intention.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned about this from the beginning:
« إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى »
“Indeed, deeds depend on intentions, and everyone will get according to what he intended.”
(HR. Bukhari no. 6195)
To ensure that our business intentions are truly worshipful and focused, we need to understand three important concepts: quwwah (motivational power), qimah (values we uphold), and ‘amal sholeh (real, sharia-compliant contributions). These three are not merely theories, but the keys to building a vibrant, valuable, and rewarding business.
Quwwah: Motivation for Starting a Business: Worldly or Religious?
Not everyone starts a business for noble reasons. Some simply want financial freedom, avoid being bossed around by their boss, or simply follow a trend. That’s natural, as we’re all human beings. But in Islam, every action is considered an act of worship only if the intention is right. This means that if the motivation is merely to make money or escape a difficult life, it has only worldly value. But if you realize, “I want this business to be a path to obedience to Allah,” then it has value in the afterlife.
In Islam, motivation is called quwwah, the driving force from within. There are three types. First, quwwah madiyyah , which is driven by material needs: wanting a steady salary, wanting a comfortable life. Second, quwwah ma’nawiyyah , which is driven by emotional needs: wanting to be appreciated, wanting to prove oneself, or not being underestimated. Third, quwwah ruhiyyah , this is the highest: driven by faith, because of the desire to obey, to be a pious servant. This type of drive is what makes your steps worthy of worship.
Allah ﷻ said,
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُون ِ
“I did not create jinn and humans, except that they should worship Me.” (QS. Adz-Dzariyat : 56)
It’s clear that all life activities, including business, should stem from a motivation for worship. Therefore, if you start a business today simply for money or the demands of life, that’s human nature. But don’t stop there, just to make it a form of worship. Raise your motivation immediately. Transform it to a higher level: spiritual fulfillment . For that is the starting point of blessings.
If your motivation is right, the next question is: “Where do you want to take your business?” We might be enthusiastic about moving forward, but we don’t know the direction. This is where values become important. What are your guiding principles ? What do you hold on to to stay true to your beliefs despite pressure coming from everywhere? Let’s discuss this in the next section.
Also read: The Role of the Muslim Ummah in Their Unity
Qimah: Determine the Direction of Good Deeds Firmly
Once we have the energy and strong drive ( quwwah ), the next step is to make sure we know what the energy is used for. This is where the importance of qimah is the main value that we use as direction in our actions. If quwwah is the power of the oar, then qimah is the direction of the sail.
And what’s important to remember: intention isn’t about which is best, but what serves as the foundation for a deed . There are many values in life: material ( qimah madiyyah ), moral ( qimah akhlaqiyah ), humanitarian ( qimah insaniyah ), and spiritual ( qimah ruhiyyah ). All are valid. But in a single deed, we must not mix up our intentions .
For example, if you start a business to seek halal profit, that’s a valid principle —no problem. But if you say, “I’m looking for profit and also want to help people, look cool, and earn a lot of rewards,” then you’re going in a different direction. Your good deeds will falter, and your focus will be shattered.
It’s different with quwwah . If your energy and motivation are still stuck at the worldly level—like because of following the crowd, prestige, or financial constraints—then it must rise to a higher level: quwwah spiritually , which drives you because of Allah, because of the trust, because of your responsibility as a servant. That’s where the quality lies. But qimah ? It doesn’t fluctuate. It’s simply determined: one deed, one value.
Therefore, sharia business is not just about the halal label. It’s also about clear values. If you want to seek halal profit—then do it honestly and responsibly. Don’t say you’re doing it for Allah, but in practice, you’re still thinking about prestige. Don’t say you want to help the community, but when you lose, you blame fate. One direction. One value. Be firm.
Determining one’s qimah is like planting a compass in the heart. When values are clear, actions become straight, steps become light, and the direction of life becomes less easily obscured.
So, if the quwwah is strong, the qimah is clear, then it’s time for us to move. But not all moves are valuable. Then we will enter the next stage: ‘good deeds – deeds that are truly valid according to Sharia and bring benefits. Not just busy, but right on target.
Also read: Empathy Between Muslims in Islam
Good Deeds: Embodying Values in Real Action
After the quwwah ( religious affirmation ) ignites the spirit and the qimah (contemplation) establishes the direction, the final and most important step is ensuring everything culminates in righteous deeds . In Islam, good intentions and strong motivation are not enough. The key is whether these actions translate into righteous , focused , and sharia-compliant deeds .
Many people have great enthusiasm, noble intentions, and even know what they want to fight for. But when they enter the realm of good deeds, they often get caught up in steps that don’t align with guidance. Therefore, good deeds become a crucial final test.
As confirmed in the word of Allah ﷻ :
فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا
“Whoever hopes to meet his Lord, then let him do righteous deeds and not associate anyone with anyone in the worship of his Lord.” (QS. Al-Kahf : 110)
In a business context, ‘good deeds’ mean conducting business in a lawful manner , using honest strategies , valid contracts , providing beneficial products , and practicing sound ethical transactions . In fact, it’s not just about halal and haram, but also about considering whether the chosen path is beneficial, not oppressive, and not supporting systems that conflict with Islam.
For example, someone may want to build a business because of the motivation of quwwah ruhiyyah (intention of worship), and has established qimah akhlakiyyah (honesty values). But if in practice he sells dubious products, falsifies reports, or harms customers, then all of that falls at the ‘charity’ stage . This is where it is important to unite all aspects—motivation, values, and charity—in one breath.
‘Charities that are not based on quwwah will easily falter. ‘Charities that are not guided by qimah will lose direction. But deeds that originate from true quwwah, are guided by straight qimah, and are carried out in accordance with the Shari’a , that is what is called true pious deeds.
And this is the ultimate goal of self-cultivation in Islam—building good deeds that are not only good in the eyes of humans, but also acceptable in the sight of Allah.
Also read: Status-Driven Lifestyles in Islam
Ending
Starting a business in Islam is not just about capital and opportunities, but also about life direction and responsibility. Islam equips us with the concepts of quwwah (motivating power), qimah (good deeds), and ‘amal shalih (real contribution). All of this supports business, ensuring it is not merely a pursuit of worldly gain, but a path to Allah’s pleasure.
Because in truth, Allah does not judge who is the richest or the quickest to succeed, but who has the best deeds – including in business matters.
لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
“To test you, which of you is best in deeds.” (QS Al-Mulk : 2)
So let’s start a business not just with calculations, but also with clarity of values and intentions. With that, God willing, our business will not only grow but also bring us closer to God.
Also read: Wealth as a Tool, Not a Goal in Islam
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Reference:
Al-Qur’an al-Karim . Accessed from: https://tafsirweb.com
Al-Bukhārī, Muḥammad ibn Ismā’īl. Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī . Accessed from: https://www.hadits.id/hadits/bukhari/6195
Muslim ibn al-Ḥajjāj al-Qushayrī. Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim . Retrieved from: https://hadits.id/hadits/muslim/
Al-Ghazali. Iḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn . Beirut: Dar al-Fikr.
Ibn Rajab al-Anbalī. Jāmi’ al-‘Ulūm wa al-Ḥikam . Cairo: Dār al-Ḥadīts.
Imam Nawawi. Al-Arba’īn al-Nawawiyyah . Beirut: Dār al-Ma’rifah.
