“They say their fortune comes from Allah, but they’re still looking for a way to increase their sales. They say they want the rewards of legitimate hard work, but instead they’re hoping for inanimate objects.”
Have you ever met someone who says, “Bismillah” every morning, but when they see a talisman, lucky number, or good-selling item, their eyes light up? We sometimes smile faintly, but in our hearts we might ask, “Are you serious? Your sustenance comes from Allah ﷻ , but your heart is pining for inanimate objects?”
This is the face of modern shirk. Not in dark caves, not in ancient rituals far removed from everyday life. But in brightly lit shops, in bustling storefronts, in the supposedly “practical and modern” digital world. People say they believe in Allah , but in practice, they rely on mantras, amulets, or other items to boost their sales. Their tongues speak of tawhid, but their hearts still doubt Allah Himself .
Sometimes, tawhid (monotheism) isn’t lost because people don’t understand it, but because they’re afraid of failure. Fear of not increasing sales, fear of outselling competitors, fear of insecure business prospects. Ultimately, people choose “instant guarantees” over true trust.
“Bismillah” on the Lips, “Amulet” in the Showcase
Let’s be honest, this practice is commonplace around us. From small businesses to established ones, they attach amulets to cash registers, place lucky numbers on display cases, or follow certain rituals to boost sales. All of this is disguised as “just extra,” “just to boost motivation,” or “a business tradition passed down through generations.”
In fact, Rasulullah ﷺ said:
أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَجْمِلُوا فِى الطَّلَبِ فَإِنَّ نَفْسًا لَنْ تَمُوتَ حَتَّى تَسْتَوْفِىَ رِزْقَهَا وَإِنْ أَبْطَأَ عَنْهَا فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَجْمِلُوا فِى الطَّلَبِ خُذُوا مَا حَلَّ وَدَعُوا مَا حَرُمَ
“O mankind, fear Allah, and take the good path in seeking sustenance. For indeed no servant will die until he has actually received all his sustenance, even though it is late in coming. So fear Allah, and take the good path in seeking sustenance. Take the paths seeking halal sustenance and leave the haram” ( Hadith narrated by Ibn Majah ).
Trusting in God is more than just sweet words. It’s a complete belief that sustenance, success, and blessings come only from Allah . When we place our hope in inanimate objects or unlawful rituals, the essence of trusting in God is displaced.
Imagine a businessman spending millions of rupiah on a sales-boosting ritual, when the main capital is hard work, strategy, and sincere prayer. Isn’t that a subtle but real irony? It’s like buying a lucky ticket while forgetting to buy a real business ticket.
Also read: The Concept of Sustenance and How It Is Perceived in Islam
“Instant Rituals” vs. Business Reality
People often say, “If you use this, your sales will definitely increase.” But the reality is, nothing can change the laws of economics and business established by Allah ﷻ . This instant approach can actually lead us to neglect the principles of Sharia: honesty, hard work, and prayer.
Allah ﷻ says:
وَمَا تَأْكُلُونَ مِمَّا أَمْلَكْنَا لَكُمْ فَمِنْهُ تَسْتَقْسِمُونَ
Meaning: “Whatever you eat of the sustenance that We have provided for you, that is your portion determined for you.” ( Qur’an Surah Al-Muzzammil [73]: 20)
Every blessing is predetermined. Relying on amulets or rituals is simply a subtle form of mistrust. We fear failure, so we try “shortcuts.” But in business, shortcuts usually lead to dead ends.
A classical scholar once asserted: “Whoever abandons the shari’a cause because he relies on something other than Allah, then he has strayed from the right path.” This means that we not only lose blessings, but also tarnish our faith.
Also read: How to Earn Halal Income in Tough Times
Fear of Failure or Hidden Shirk?
In reality, many people practice this spiritual dualism not out of ignorance. They know that sustenance comes from Allah ﷻ , but they are too afraid of failure. When income slows, they panic and resort to amulets, mantras, or instant rituals.
Is this really a solution? Or is it just a distraction from our own disbelief? We forget that every difficulty in business is a test and a sign of Allah’s love .
When sales are down, it’s an exercise in patience. When clients bargain, it’s an exercise in trust. When competition is fierce, it’s an exercise in honesty and strategy.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ أَنْفَقَ نَفَقَةً فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كُتِبَ لَهُ بسبعمائةِ ضِعْفٍ
Meaning: “Whoever spends in the way of Allah ﷻ , it will be written for him seven hundred times as much.” ( Mishkāt al-Masābīḥ )
Imagine if the energy, time, and capital that should be used for a legitimate and innovative business were diverted to selling items. We would lose not only money, but also blessings and peace of mind.
Also read: How to Build Tawakkal in Allah ﷻ While Doing Business
Conclusion
So, fellow businesspeople, let’s take a moment to reflect. The tongue may say “Bismillah,” but the heart must truly believe that sustenance comes from Allah ﷻ . Don’t let the fear of failure cause us to pin our hopes on inanimate objects. Trust is not just a word, but a concrete practice: hard work, sincere prayer, and honesty in business.
Remember, blessings cannot be bought. Blessings come when we rely completely on Allah , not when we try shortcuts that seem practical but are shirk. A blessed business is one that is halal, honest, and filled with trust and trust.
As Imam Al-Ghazali said:
“Worldly success achieved through polytheism is futile; blessed success is that which arises from sincerity and trust in Allah ﷻ .”
Let us cleanse our hearts of misleading amulets and rituals. Let us believe that every blessing, client, and success is a trust from Allah ﷻ , not from inanimate objects. This way, our businesses will not only be profitable but also become a source of reward and inner peace.
Also read: The Benefit of Investing Since Youth
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Reference:
Al-Qur’an. Al-Karim. https://quran.com/
Ibn Majah. Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith no. 2144. Accessed from https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:2144
Mishkāt al-Masābīḥ, Hadith no. 3826. Accessed from https://sunnah.com/mishkat:3826
Al-Ghazali. Ihya’ Ulumuddin . Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2000. Accessed from https://archive.org