We Say We Believe in God

So why don't we act like it?

A few weeks ago, I announced a new series, interviewing voices more parents, teachers, and educators should hear from. First was an American Christian intellectual and cultural commentator, Aaron Renn. Up today is Mohammed Faris, author of Productive Muslim and, most recently, The Barakah Effect: More With Less. Full disclosure: I’d meant to finish and get the conversation up before Ramadan.

Life intervened, though, and I didn’t even open the book until the 17th night, which is incidentally the anniversary of the Battle of Badr. Right away, I was hooked. Faris explains that we live, raise kids in, and are saturated by the toxic consequences of “hustle culture,” which superficially might seem compatible with Islam, but actually is entirely at odds with our faith and left unchecked will consume our faith.

The result has already ravaged our Islam. We’ve lost touch with the deep values our faith is built on and the intense intimacy and devotion to God our faith aims at; as a result, we suffer anxiety, stress, exhaustion, fatigue, and discomforts that a deep life of faith should not produce. To help us break out, Faris draws our attention to barakah, which you could translate as a “blessing,” but which so much more.

Let me just say it’s been more than a delightful read this Ramadan. It really hit home, in a way I needed, even if it’s hard to admit that.

I saw all the ways in which my Islam is still incomplete—but I’m grateful twice over, first because now I have a road map for the year ahead (and that includes what Laylat al-Qadr is about—the decree, or quad, for the year ahead) and of course to Mohammed for taking the time, in these last nights, to answer my questions. I hope you find them worth reflecting on, growing through, and building into your ‘ibadah.

Haroon: Very simple question. What’s barakah?

Faris: Barakah is an Islamic concept that refers to a spiritual energy that comes from God. It brings about growth, stability, and lasting goodness in both tangible and intangible aspects of life. I like to give a few examples that can help explain Barakah:

1. Have you ever woken up early in the morning and got so much work done in the first hours of the morning compared to the rest of the day? If yes, you’ve just experienced Barakah! There’s a saying by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that says: “There’s Barakah in the early hours of my nation.”

2. Have you ever invited people over to your place and prepared enough food for 5 people, but 10 people showed up? Have you noticed how somehow there’s always enough food and sometimes even left overs? That’s Barakah! We’re taught in our tradition that the food of two people is enough for four, and the food of four people is enough for eight.

3. Have you had an idea or insight that has had a lasting impact on your personal/professional life? If yes, then that idea has Barakah!

Given it’s a spiritual concept, Barakah is more experiential and difficult to explain logically. But if we look around in our life, we’d notice many Barakah moments that we experienced but weren’t aware of them.

Haroon: You’ve got this great line early in the book, that we believe in God, but we don’t believe God. We believe in Islam formally, in other words, but whenever Islam clashes with material expectations, or cultural standards, or class boundaries, we get really uncomfortable. What kind of car do I drive? Where do I go to school? Where does my wealth come from? Tell me more about this mentality.

Yes, there’s definitely a discrepancy between our belief in God and our attitudes and actions when it comes to matters that challenge our material expectations, cultural norms, or social status. We often find ourselves prioritizing worldly considerations over spiritual ones.

For example – do you accept that job that will make it difficult for you to find a time/place to pray? Or do you accept that business transaction even though it’s not 100% Halal (Islamically legal)? These spiritual dilemmas test our faith and it is my contention in my book that when we make the right choices for the sake of Allah, Allah will put Barakah in what we have.

Let me share a story: A Muslim hotel manager was getting increasingly uncomfortable that his hotel chain was serving alcohol to his clients. He tried to make excuses for himself that he was not involved directly in the serving of alcohol and was only the hotel manager. However, he still felt uncomfortable and after a while he quit his job out of ‘God consciousness’ and wanting to do what’s right spiritually. A few months passed and he struggled to find a job (a test for his faith inspired move). Finally, he got a call from a hotel chain in the holy city of Madinah, offering him to manage a hotel right in front of the Prophet’s Mosque! Now that’s Barakah 😉

Our hesitation to fully embrace spiritual principles can be attributed to a disconnect between our spiritual upbringing and our secular education. 

In the Western world, we are often taught to rely on reason and empirical evidence, which can make it difficult to accept spiritual concepts that don't fit neatly into our understanding of the world.

To develop a stronger faith and trust in God's promises, we need to cultivate a deeper spiritual connection and make these principles the foundation of our belief and education system. 

By doing so, we can learn to prioritize our spiritual well-being over material concerns and make decisions that align with our faith, even when they may seem counterintuitive from a worldly perspective.

Haroon: In the book, you compare Islam’s “barakah culture” with the modern world’s prevailing “hustle culture.” Tell us more. 

Barakah Culture is a concept I introduced as an alternative to the prevalent Hustle Culture that dominates our modern way of life. Hustle culture is driven by "Workism," an obsession with work where work has become the central purpose of our lives, and our source of meaning and community.

In contrast, Barakah Culture seeks to re-center spirituality and belief in God as the central purpose of our existence. It encourages us to organize our lives around being God-centered, focused on the hereafter, and driven by purpose and impact. It’s a culture that was prevalent in the Muslim world before the modern era and we’ve since lost it. (Side note: There’s a fascinating book by Dr.Melis Hafiz called “Inventing Laziness: The Culture of Productivity in Late Ottoman Society” that explains how we lost this culture). 

This doesn't mean that we should stop "hustling" to earn a decent living. Rather, it promotes a more balanced approach to life, one that recognizes the importance of sincerity to God, nurturing all aspects of our lives (including health, family, community), and making a positive impact on society.

Haroon: Kids today are over scheduled and exhausted. They hardly have time to get bored—which I think is a vital skill—and they almost never have a minute on their own, whether that’s an activity or a device. Are you afraid that talking about “more with less,” with how barakah amplifies our lives, doesn’t just play into a culture that’s obsessed with productivity?

The subtitle of my book, More With Less, is actually a reference to the idea that even with limited resources, such as time, wealth, or children, the presence of barakah can enable us to achieve great things.

As the saying goes “A little with Barakah is better than abundance without Barakah.”

The converse is also true: if we have an abundance of time, wealth, and children, but there is no barakah in them, we may end up squandering these resources.

Think of someone who may have little financial resources but is happy and content in life. Compare to someone who has billions in real estate and financial investments but can’t sleep at night (note: this is not a call to austerity and neglecting of this world – for we have examples in our Islamic history of people who are wealthy and had Barakah in their wealth as they used it to serve and impact their society).

Regarding the example of children being overscheduled or bored, the real issue is not the quantity of free time they have, but rather how they choose to spend that time. It's crucial that we guide them to view their moments of boredom as opportunities to tap into the gift of barakah.

By encouraging children to engage in meaningful activities during their free time, such as self-reflection, creative pursuits, or helping others, we can help them develop a deeper connection with their spiritual selves and foster a sense of purpose. This approach is not about maximizing productivity in the traditional sense, but rather about nurturing a child’s personal growth and relationship with God.

Ultimately, the concept of barakah is not about doing more with less in a purely material sense, but about being more and having more impact, regardless of the quantity of resources we possess.

Haroon: You give some examples—that when people don’t have barakah, they are unhappy with what they have, even if what they have is superficially great. What brings barakah and what takes it away?

Barakah is a gift from God that He gives to whomever He wishes and removes it from whomever He wishes. Having said that, we are taught that there are certain mindsets, values, and rituals that if practiced attracts Barakah in one’s life and if let go of, removes Barakah.

One example is having an Abundance Mindset rather than a Scarcity Mindset. An Abundance Mindset is rooted in the belief that there is enough for everyone and that God can provide from unexpected sources. In contrast, a Scarcity Mindset operates under the assumption that for one person to win, another must lose. Embracing an Abundance Mindset can attract barakah into our lives.

Another key value is Mercy and Compassion. In the competitive environment of Hustle Culture, people often forget to show mercy towards one another. However, treating others with mercy and compassion can draw barakah into our lives. As the Prophetic saying goes, “Have mercy on those who are on Earth, and the One in the Heavens will have mercy on you.”

Lastly, certain rituals can invite barakah into our lives. Prayers (Salah) and recitation of the Quran are direct forms of spiritual communication with God and are known to bring barakah. However, there are other rituals that are often overlooked, such as controlling our speech and lowering our gaze, which can also attract barakah.

In terms of what takes away Barakah – the catch all concept is “displeasing God” through actions, words, or mindsets. So sins in general remove barakah, also mindsets like never being content and being upset about God’s decree – that removes Barakah.

Haroon: How do you talk to your kids about barakah? Where does it fit into the lessons you teach and the life you build with your family?

It has been a blessing to watch my kids learn about barakah as I teach it to others in workshops. In fact, my 8-year-old son recently announced that he wants to start a comic book called “Barakah Bros,” who will be fighting against the “Hustle Gang!” 

I often bring up the idea of barakah to my children when they are facing a difficult decision. For instance, if they are deciding whether to donate a toy to a local toy drive or keep it for themselves, I remind them that by giving their toy for the sake of God, Allah will bring barakah into their lives. This blessing may come in the form of a new toy, or it may manifest as a feeling of happiness and contentment.

I try to avoid framing their relationship with God as a transactional one, but I do want them to understand that sometimes God's blessings come in expected and unexpected ways. Another way that I teach them about Barakah is by sharing stories of Barakah that I heard from different people - they love the stories and it resonates well with them.

Haroon: I’ve heard some folks say the family that stays together, prays together. What do you recommend families do together? (And if that advice can go beyond Muslims to other faiths too, that’d be great.) 

One concept I’ve recently been discussing is the importance of a family having a “high himmah” intention for itself. “High himmah” refers to having lofty aspirations, so essentially, a family should ask itself, “What are our high aspirations in this life for the sake of the next life?”

There are two key points to note here:

1. I didn’t say, “What do we want to achieve as a family?” I believe that being overly achievement-focused is a part of the current hustle culture that is driving families to exhaustion as they try to collect accolades from pre-K through college.

2. I specifically mentioned “intentions” that connect our current life to the life in the hereafter. Families often become so preoccupied with “surviving this life” (work, school, bills, activities, etc.) that they forget the true purpose of life and how best they can plant seeds in this world (through spirituality and good deeds) to harvest in the hereafter).

Having a high himmah intention for your family means collectively deciding on the mindsets, values, and rituals you will adopt as a family to become the best versions of yourselves as you worship God together on this journey.

This concept can be applied to families of any faith. By setting intentions that transcend worldly achievements and focusing on personal and spiritual development, families can create a strong foundation that will guide them through the challenges of life and help them maintain perspective on what truly matters.

Haroon: For people who don’t have the resources to study Islam, or to attend a busy masjid, or even have a community around them, what can they do to bring barakah into their lives?

The beauty of barakah is that it is a gift that comes directly from God and is not dependent on access to a local imam or community. While having guidance and community support certainly makes it easier to cultivate the mindsets, values, and rituals I discuss in my book, it is still possible for someone living in a remote area to practice these mindsets, values and rituals in their personal and professional lives.

If there is one piece of advice I would give people to help them live a life filled with barakah, it is this: Have sincere intentions and work hard. This is the formula for success. Sincerity in our intentions means that we strive to align our actions with what pleases God, rather than being motivated by worldly gains or recognition.

By focusing on the purity of our intentions, we invite barakah into our lives, as God rewards us based on the sincerity of our hearts.

Alongside sincere intentions, hard work is crucial. We must put in the effort to learn about our faith, engage in acts of worship, and serve others to the best of our abilities. By combining sincere intentions with dedicated effort, we create an environment that is conducive to receiving God's blessings and experiencing barakah in our lives.

Remember, no matter where you are or what resources you have access to, you can always foster a direct connection with God through your intentions, gratitude, and supplications. This personal relationship with the Divine is the foundation upon which barakah is built.

Haroon: And in these last nights of Ramadan, how can we bring barakah into our worship, and more importantly, keep it there?

In an article published on ProductiveMuslim.com, we discussed the importance of focusing on “being more” rather than simply “doing more” during Ramadan.

Unfortunately, I feel that we have turned Ramadan into a race to see who can complete the most tasks on their spiritual checklist: finishing the Quran, fasting all 30 days, giving charity each night, and so on. While these actions are undoubtedly beneficial, I believe we have somewhat lost sight of the true purpose of Ramadan, which is mentioned in the Quran: “...so that you may attain God-Consciousness” (taqwa).

God-Consciousness is a spiritual state that is developed through mindful practices. This includes being intentional about how we live our lives, from what we eat and speak to what we listen to. It also involves being mindful during our prayers and recitations of the Quran, as well as in our interactions with others.

So, if we want to make the most of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, let us take the time to sit with ourselves and reflect on the following questions:

1. Who are we?

2. Who do we want to be outside of Ramadan?

3. What practical steps can we take to become that person?

By engaging in this introspection and setting clear intentions for our personal growth, we can cultivate a deeper sense of God-Consciousness that extends beyond the month of Ramadan. This mindfulness and intentionality will help us attract and maintain barakah in our lives, not just during these blessed nights, but throughout the year.

Thank you, Mohammed—if you’d like to learn more, pick up The Barakah Effect (and making the lessons in the book not just part of your spiritual practice, but how you practice as a family, and as a guide to the important conversations and decisions we face—for ourselves and for our kids, who will hold up this faith, God willing, long after we’re gone.

If you found this conversation of benefit, please consider subscribing to Sunday Schooled, a free resource for parents and educators who want to build the future of faith.

I pray these remaining days and nights of Ramadan are blessed for each and all. Let’s remember one another in our prayers, pray that we can give more and do more to strengthen our selves and our communities, and not least of all, for our brothers and sisters in Kashmir, Sudan, Turkestan, Yemen, and of course in Palestine.