Ikhtiar & Tawakal

A few weeks ago, I heard someone bring up this topic on a stage. At first, I thought, “Is this really the title and topic?” But as she began to share her point of view, these two words instantly resonated with me and became alive and relevant in our daily lives.

“Ikhtiar” and “Tawakal” might seem like terms from our friends in the Muslim faith. However, when we delve deeper into their meanings, we realize just how profound they are. “Ikhtiar” can be interpreted as putting in effort and doing our part to the best of our ability, while “Tawakal” means entrusting the final outcome to God.

Why are these two words important in the process of scaling up a business? Because, in my opinion, they play a crucial role for every entrepreneur; they speak to the values and beliefs we hold during every strategic process and decision-making. We must always “ikhtiar” by carefully considering every strategic step we plan to take, trying to calculate thoughtfully and repeatedly. The essence is to do our part as well and as thoroughly as possible. So, whatever the outcome, there are no regrets, doubts, or anger because we know we’ve done our best with the time we had.

Now, when we talk about the final outcome, this is where “Tawakal” comes in. We often hear the saying, “The final result will not disappoint if we’ve done our best.” This is true, but even if the outcome doesn’t align with our desires, expectations, or calculations, we must “tawakal.” We need to be able to accept, with an open heart, the decision from Above and reflect on what improvements can be made moving forward.

In the process of scaling up a business, we need to balance these two aspects. We can’t be reckless in our thinking and decision-making, whether it’s in strategy, hiring, marketing planning, or other areas. Do your part to the best of your ability, lead your team, and develop as much as you can, but don’t forget the presence of God in all things. And when God has decided the outcome, be “tawakal”—quickly accept, learn, and improve for the next step. Don’t be discouraged, and don’t rely solely on humans, your network, or your resources.