The Productive Muslim: Where Faith Meets Productivity

by Mohammed Faris

Yes, we’ve boosted our productivity as a human race but we’ve also lost three things along the way: our purpose, our values, and our soul. As humans, we’re treating ourselves (and other human beings) as soul-less machines whose whole purpose is to work. We’ve focused on what improves the functions of the body (nutrition, fitness, and sleep) and the mind (focus, creativity and time management) and neglected the values that nourish our soul.

As my teacher once told me, “If you’re not going to be a slave to Allah, you’ll be a slave to something or somebody else”. That’s human nature. We’re created as slaves, and thus we have a choice: Either we willingly submit and become slaves to the Creator of the heavens and the earth, our only true Master, OR we become (willingly or unwillingly) slaves to our money, our jobs, our families, our ego, etc. Which one would you rather be? Slave to the Most Merciful? Or slave to anything else?

By now, you’re probably asking: What does being a slave of Allah have to do with finding our purpose and being productive? Here’s my answer and the crux of this section: If we accept that we’re slaves of Allah, then this entails that whatever we do, whatever we say, should be in line with what our Master wants. Simply by accepting that you’re a slave of Allah opens a new level of purpose and meaning in your life. No longer will you be obsessed with the rat race and its spoils. Your main concern will always be: how can I please my Master? What can I do to be the best slave of Allah? This might sound all theoretical, but it can be applied to our day to day life. Here’s how: firstly, by submitting yourself as a slave of Allah you’ll change your outlook on life and always be intrinsically motivated to live life according to the values set in the Quran and the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (s) and not according to the swaying values of humanity. Secondly, you’ll have a higher purpose that helps you balance between the different life roles (parent, spouse, child, neighbour, employee etc) instead of being solely obsessed with a single role. Thirdly, you’ll feel constantly connected to your Master and seek His pleasure in every small or major decision (e.g. where to settle, what business to get in to, whom to marry, what projects to undertake etc). This brings self-accountability, higher moral values, and a pursuit of excellence in your daily life.

how does spirituality boost productivity?

Ask Allah for help to thank Him: A famous supplication taught by the Prophet (s) to be said after every prayer is: “Allah help me to remember You, to thank

You and to worship You properly”. The Arabic version of this is the following: Allahumma a’inni ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ibadatika.

calamity befalls us either to test our faith and/or to cleanse us from our sins. Abu Huraira (r) narrated that the Prophet said (s): “If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials”. [Bukhari]

“Allah loves that if one does a job, he perfects it”.

are you sleeping for this life or for the Hereafter? If for this life, then sleep and don’t bother about waking up for tahajjud or even fajr prayer for that matter. If for the Hereafter, then you’ll need to sacrifice some of your sleep for the greater pleasures that are to come.