How My Faith Informs My Business Decisions
Religion is often seen as a private matter, confined to one's personal beliefs and practices. However, as a Muslim, I view religion as something that plays an active role in every aspect of my life, including how I conduct my business. The concept of Barakah, which refers to the blessings and increase that God places in something that is earned or spent in a manner that is pleasing to Him, is one of the many examples of how my faith influences my financial decisions. In this article, I want to share with you the power of Barakah in money, and how aligning our earning and spending with a higher purpose can bring blessings and success in our financial lives.
"The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And God multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And God is all-Encompassing and Knowing." (Quran 2:261)
The concept of Barakah is not just limited to money, but it can be applied to all aspects of life, including time, relationships, and resources.
In this article, I will focus on the concept of Barakah in money and how aligning our earning and spending with a higher purpose can bring blessings and success in our financial lives. Over the years, I have observed the power of Barakah in money in my own life. I have seen how earning and spending in alignment with a higher purpose can bring unexpected blessings and opportunities, while earning and spending in unethical or harmful ways can lead to unexpected expenses and financial burdens. To me, barakah is what leads to one person having a 20 year old car that never breaks down, and another person's brand new can breaking down every few months.
To earn money with Barakah, I focus on working in a field that aligns with my values and contributes to the greater good. From being honest and transparent with my employees, drivers, and customers, to avoiding hauling freight with BHX Logistics that we should not haul, such as alcohol.
"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression." (Quran 5:2)
By doing work that benefits others and avoids harming anyone, I believe that God blesses our earnings and helps them go further than we thought possible. We've all seen this in our personal lives, by being surprised that we made by with what we considered to be a low amount of money.
I also try to spend my money in a manner that benefits myself and others and is aligned with my values. By spending my money on good things, such as family, basic needs, savings, and charitable giving, as opposed to things my religion forbids, such as alcohol, gambling, and so on, I believe that I am using my money in a manner that pleases God and brings blessings (barakah) into my life.
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As a person who believes in the concept of Barakah, I strongly believe that money earned through unethical practices brings with it a "negative energy" making it likely to be spent for unpleasant or unexpected expenses such as medical bills, car repairs, or home maintenance. It may also lead me away from God and my values, by enabling me to do things that are against the teachings of my faith.
In essence, I would rather forego the opportunity to earn money through unethical means since it may invite unforeseen calamities into my life, which in turn will require me to spend that money fixing the problems. Thus, I choose to focus on earning and spending money in ways that align with my values and principles, as I know that this is what brings the blessings of Barakah into my life.
To illustrate this concept further, think of the game of Monopoly and the Community Chest cards. Some of these cards bring pleasant surprises, such as receiving money or getting out of jail, while others require players to give money or pay fines. For example, the "Bank pays you a dividend of $50" card is a pleasant surprise, while the "Pay school tax of $150" card is a financial burden. The difference between the two is similar to the difference between money with Barakah and money without Barakah. When money has Barakah, it can bring unexpected blessings and opportunities, while money without Barakah can lead to unexpected expenses and financial burdens.
In conclusion, the concept of Barakah in money is a powerful one that can help us achieve greater success and abundance in our lives. By aligning our earning and spending with a higher purpose and striving to keep our earnings pure and fair, we can experience unexpected opportunities and blessings, and our money can go further than we ever thought possible. So, let us all strive to earn and spend our money in a manner that aligns with our values and brings blessings to ourselves and others.
Call to action: Leave a comment on this article when you saw barakah playing a direct role in your life!
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