I used to think money was evil.

Chasing the dunya.

The mother of all sins.

I felt guilty for wanting it.

I felt shallow.

I thought I had to stay poor to enter Jannah.

But here's the truth:

Money is a spiritual tool.

Money is not inherently evil but it's attachment to it.

The attachment is dangerous — more dangerous than heroin or crack.

Have you ever made $10,000 in 7 minutes?

I remember that day during Ramadan 1442.

The high you get from it is insane.

You feel invincible.

But that high is also why I lost over $100,000 in just a few weeks.

You can read more about that in another letter.

If you can change how you see wealth, you can change how you react to it.

Desire is an oath you make with your nafs to delay contentment until it gets what it wants.

Saufiyah

Detach from wealth and it becomes a tool.

Attach to it and it enslaves you.

Level 1: The Poverty Feedback Loop

Most people think poverty is a lack of money.

But poverty starts in the mind.

It's not about how much you earn.

It's about how you think about and use money.

I) The Status Illusion

The poor spend money to prove wealth.

The rich invest money to grow wealth.

Majority of the labor workforce use their hard-earned money on appearances.

They work for lifestyles they can't afford.

Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Versace, Prada, YSL… they all target these people.

I fell into this trap.

I remember buying my first Louis Vuitton bag (before the boycott)

It cost $3,000.

It had the logo plastered everywhere and I felt "cool" carrying it around.

A pop of personality with my all black attire.

I thought people who saw me would think: "Oh, she's well off and has disposable income."

I wasn't rich. I was pretending to be.

I used half my monthly salary to buy it. Yikes. May Allah forgive me.

I could have used that money and invested in

• A startup or business idea

• A water well

• A team member to delegate tasks

• A course to learn a high-income skill

• A gym membership

• ‘Umrah

All of these would've helped me grow in some way even if not directly financially.

It's not just about building wealth—it's about building yourself. You need to work on your spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. Not just the financial aspect.

When I was trying to get a job after being $50,000 in debt, you know what I did for 40 days straight?

I worked out. At 2PM. Every single day.

It gave me the mental strength to be more confident and believe in myself.

I landed 12 interviews and 3 job offers within the next 4 weeks. All remote.

It's all a mental game. Remember that.

People buy things to feel better but that void only grows.

And it will keep growing until you die.

Don't just take my word:

If the son of Adam were given a valley full of gold, he would love to have a second one; and if he were given the second one, he would love to have a third, for nothing fills the belly of Adams son except dust. And Allah forgives he who repents to Him

Bukhari

This obsession with status keeps people trapped. They spend their hard earned money on temporary pleasures.

Before you buy something, ask yourself:

How many hours did I work to afford this?

It might change your mind.

The wealthy don't play this game. They build assets, not appearances.

Audit your spending and shift your focus:

• Consumption → Creation

• Validation → Value

The only One you should be trying to impress is Allah.

II) The Hidden Prison of Trading Time

Trading time for money is modern-day enslavement.

I used to deny this truth until I lived in Medellin.

I thought remote work was freedom.

It was nothing but a beautiful lie.

This was my routine:

Alarm.
Snooze.
Open laptop at 9am.
Meetings.
Stare at Excel.
Order lunch to hotel room.
More meetings. More Excel.
Shut laptop at 5pm.
Order dinner to hotel room.
Scroll mindlessly.
Work on side-business.
Sleep.

And repeat.

Sounds cool.

Yes, you can "work from anywhere" and get a paycheck.

But my time belonged to someone else. For 8 hours a day. 5 days a week. 22 days a month. 11 months a year.

I wasn't free. I was just in a prettier prison.

In New York, this wasn't as obvious. But being in a new country where I couldn't even explore made it undeniably clear.

That's when I realized I had to change my reality.

It gave me the clarity and vision I needed to work the 5-9 before and after my 9-5.

Don't get me wrong. Having a job is not bad. It's not haram.

But it's not something you should be comfortable with.

A job should be a stepping stone, not the destination.

I used my 9-5 income to fund my side businesses, creative hobbies, and skills that would generate more income

The richest people:

• leverage their time

• solve a problem once and get paid for it repeatedly

This is how they escape the rat-race and scale higher.

You know this already. Have you ever automated a task at work?

The same principle applies to life. Automate what you can. Delegate what you can't. And build systems that work for you — even when you don't.

Freedom starts when your time is yours again.

III) Ignore Leveragable Skills

Most people settle in roles where their income depends on effort, not scalability.

Your income is capped by your hours and your freedom is limited by your obligations.

The solution? Focus on exponential skills.

These are skills that create leverage — small efforts that yield exponential results:

• Tech: Builds systems that work even when you don't.

• Sales: Solves problems and creates revenue.

• Writing: Builds influence and scales your reach.

These skills build assets, not liabilities.

They compound over time, allowing you to grow without being tied to a clock.

I started by posting my little infographics on Eternah.

I sent emails every week.

That small, consistent effort helped me build a 6-figure brand today.

If you can't do any of the above, start documenting:

Take videos & make blogs.

The key is to build something that works for you — even while you sleep.

IV) Intellectual Stagnation

Most people stop learning after school.

They let their mind stagnate — and their wealth follows.

My math degree? It has close to zero effect on my brands and businesses.

The only thing I use it for now is storytelling, drawing parallels, and creating analogies.

Not downplaying the degree but being 100% real with you guys.

What actually helped me grow? Self-education.

I spent hours learning:

• Creative software skills: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva

• People skills: Persuasion, psychology, marketing

I had zero skill going into it. I just started and figured it out along the way.

That's what helped me earn my first dollar online.

Don't fall for these get-rich quick schemes.

Get-rich quick schemes don't make you rich but the people selling to you rich.

You need to put in the work.

You need to self-educate.

If you are learning now: are you learning to improve or just to consume information?

Learning for consumption is a dead end.

Learning for improvement is an infinite road.

Level 2: The Spiritual Wealth Shift

To change your situation, first, shift your mindset about money.

Wealth doesn't come from materialism. It starts in the mind.

I) Money is the byproduct

Allah and His Prophet ﷺ tells us how to get rich. Literally.

• Gratitude [14:7]

• Get married [24:32]

• Du'a [38:35]

• Have kids [6:151]

• Maintain family ties [Bukhari]

• Work in early morning [Ibn Majah]

• Give charity [2:261]

• Seek forgiveness for sins [71:10-12]

• Tawakkul [65:2-3]

Do you notice something?

Wealth is not to be chased. When you serve others, money serves you.

It's attracted through a mindset.

That is the secret.

On my highest income days (we are talking $5,000+ days) came from spiritual alignment.

I noticed those days I was doing over 1,000 instances of istighfar.

Istighfar and salawat changed my life. Seriously.

But don't just say "astaghfirullah" mindlessly.

Think of a specific sin, genuinely repent.

Ask Allah to bless your efforts.

Wealth begins with purification — of intention, of action, and of imaan.

II) Find purpose

Entrepreneurship is spiritual.

When you create value, you serve people — and in Islam, serving others is an act of worship.

The purpose of wealth is freedom.

But freedom without purpose is hedonism.

Time is your most precious asset. If you don't use it with intention, freedom becomes another form of enslavement — to distractions, indulgences, or an empty life.

What would you do if you had enough money in the bank today?

If freedom isn't anchored in meaning, it drifts into mindless consumption.

True fulfillment comes when your work aligns with the eternal.

Shift from profit-driven goals to purpose-driven ones.

Your work will feel lighter and your wealth will feel more fulfilling.

Business rooted in service grow faster. Why? Because profit follows value. If your work solves real problems and contributes to others' lives, growth becomes inevitable بإذن الله

I believe for most people, if not all:

Entrepreneurship starts with modern-day survival.

A path that ultimately leads to self-discovery.

This is a transactional world. We need to earn a living to survive.

Even the Prophets had professions to fulfill their worldly needs.

Along the way, you'll discover your values, your mission, and how you can leave the world better than you found it.

Wealth isn't the goal.

Wealth is the means to serve the goal.

III) Define true wealth

Wealth is not in having many possessions. Rather, true wealth is the richness of the soul.

Bukhari & Muslim

Prophet Sulayman عليه السلام had everything but his wealth never defined him.

Qarun had everything but his wealth consumed him.

True wealth isn't about how much you have.

It's about how you use it to serve your purpose, your family, and your ummah.

The real richness lies in a soul content with Allah's decree.

When I was 22, I had more than $100,000 saved in the bank.

Most people my age thought I was "well-off."

But it wasn't until I went to ‘Umrah that I realized I wasn't rich at all.

I was stripped from all material belongings.

I was stripped down to my soul.

I saw who was truly rich.

The man who spent all his savings to come to the House of Allah was rich.
The woman carrying her baby while praying Tahajjud was rich.
The husband lying on his wife's lap, reciting the qur'an was rich.

I landed in Madinah just in time for the ‘Isha prayer.

The imam began reciting Surah Mulk.

I did not understand a single word.

SubhanAllah.

I suddenly felt poor.

Poor in religion.
Poor in time.
Poor in family.

How did I live 2 decades on this planet and not understand a single word from my Lord?

When I returned to New York and I knew this current life I was living was not it.

I needed to redesign my life around Islam.

The islamic life design

(if you are interested: I talk more about this in my course)

I redefined my definition of wealth.

I wrote down the kind of life I wanted my wealth to create.

I had to quit the corporate job. It was filled with temptations and riba.

It was hard. I was shaking.

I wrote about it on Reddit years ago and some of you still forward me the screenshots today.

The minute I stepped out of that skyscraper on 57th and Lex:

The world looked different. Life looked different.

I was scared. My thoughts were louder.

Suddenly, I had time to listen to myself. No dunya tasks to distract me.

It was uncomfortable. Really uncomfortable.

I didn't tell my family or friends. I didn't want their judgement to affect my newly found mind and clarity.

I went all in on a business. An islamic business.

I wanted to be earn in a way that is pleasing to Allah.

I never showed my face.
I never used musical instruments.
I never collaborated with brands that showed other peoples ‘awrah.

It was slow, but alhamdulillah, we are here.

If you want to learn how to make a creative income in a way that aligns with who you are, consider joining my community here.

It's an Islamic life-work model where the goal is to contribute to something greater.

Level 3: Habits of Rich & Successful Muslims

I) Pray on time

Come to prayer. Come to success.

If you can't follow the basic commandment of Allah to pray 5 times a day

You will never be successful.

أبداً. Never.

You might look successful on the outside and run a "successful business"

But you are unsuccessful in fulfilling the commandments of Allah.

Empty success.

This isn't about those genuinely trying. It's about intentionality.

If you don't set alarms or download a prayer app, you're not really trying, are you?

Success starts with spiritual discipline.

II) Gratitude: The Wealth Multiplier

If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]. 

14:7

Wealth isn't just in assets. It's in the heart.

Practice gratitude daily.

Say Alhamdulillah for what you have.

Every day when you are blessed with opening your eyes, read the du'a for waking up.

Take a moment right now to reflect on your blessings.

You have a roof.
You have hot and cold water.
You have food.
You have the 5 senses.
You have internet.

This will help you build a mindset of abundance.

See someone with what you want? Say Allahumma barik (may Allah bless them).

Make du'a for them. Angels will make the same du'a for you.

Stop comparing your life to others.

If you were in their shoes, you'd beg for your own life back.

You never know what they are silently carrying. And you will never know.

Maybe that house, car, or spouse was your ticket to hell.

Maybe all your problems and worries now is your ticket to paradise.

This life is a test.

Wealth is a test.
Children are a test.
Loss of life is a test.
Food is a test.
People are a test.
Fear is a test.

Be mindful of this when events start coming your way. How will you react?

III) The Infinite Path of Learning

The wealthy never stop learning.

They invest in both islamic knowledge and worldly skills.

Read books, listen to podcasts, invest in courses, learn the qur'an.

Improve your understanding of both the deen and dunya.

I thought I knew the basics of prayer until I took a beginner fiqh class and was mind-blown at how much I didn't know.

People study the qur'an for 20 years and still say they've only grasped a drop from its ocean of knowledge.

Are those who know equal to those who do not know?

39:9

IV) Purify heart & wealth

Wealth shared is wealth multiplied.

Give money away regularly to purify your heart.

The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allāh is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allāh multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills

2:261

I used to be stingy with my money. My business was flatlining at 4 figures per month.

The moment I started giving a % to charity, I scaled to 5 figures within months.

The moment I started spending "a lot of of money" to go to ‘Umrah, my income multiplied in the months that followed, covering my expenses and beyond.

If you have the means to go to ‘Umrah, go.

People think it's too expensive but take a serious look at your spending habits.

What if you redirected funds from unnecessary luxuries or vacations to Madinah and Makkah?

Even if you don't have the means now, make the intention.

Allah is al-Fattah. The Opener.

He opens doors when you act with sincerity and trust in Him.

Which takes me to the next point..

V) Intention, Intention, Intention

Actions are according to intentions and everyone will get what was intended..

Bukhari

Intention. Intention. Intention. Then action.

Tie your camel and trust in Allah.

Yes. Allah is Ar-Razzaq. The Provider. He gives provisions to whom He wills.

But sitting idle and hoping for rizq without effort?

That's not tawakkul, that's laziness wrapped in excuses.

Even Maryam عليها السلام didn't receive rizq without action.

• She dedicated her life and her unborn child to Allah. She was given miraculous rizq with the fruits of the summer during winter, and the fruits of the winter during summer. And Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit.

• When she was alone and in need, Allah instructed her to take action — even in her weakest state. "And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates." [19:25]

If even Maryam عليها السلام the mother of Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام beloved to Allah, had to act, how can we expect results without effort?

You can't sit in your room and expect wealth or success to fall into your lap.

Wake up. Renew your intentions.

What's the first thing you need to do to get started?

Break it into baby steps:

• Is it to hit post

• Is it to claim that username

• Is it to reach out to that Qur'an teacher

• Is it to search for workout routines on YouTube

Just do it. What are you waiting for?

You focus on the process. Leave the results to Allah.

Do it for His sake, and even if you don't get what you want, you still win.

Why? Because you got rewarded for the effort.

Set the intention. Take the first step. Trust the outcome to Him.

Whoever honestly asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah will grant him martyrdom even if he dies in his own bed

Muslim 

Sincerity + Purpose = Intention

VI) Deep work after Fajr

O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings.

Tirmidhi

The work I get done after Fajr is incomparable to anything I get done later in the day.

The barakah after Fajr is unmatched.

"But I'm a night owl"

Maybe. Maybe not.

What you probably have is a poor evening routine.

The new Islamic day (lunar calendar) starts at Maghrib.

Your morning begins with what you do the night before.

What are you doing after Maghrib?

• Do you wear blue light blocker glasses?

• Do you stop screens 1 hour before sleep?

• Do you stop eating 2-3 hours before bed?

• Do you journal to clear your mind of the day's consumption?

• Do you read your du'as and surahs before bed?

No?

No wonder you are a night owl.

You're working against your body's natural clock.

I get it. I've been there. Night-time feels more "creative."

And occasionally, indulging in a late-night session might work but it should be the exception, not the rule.

For most people, the reason they stay up late isn't because they're true night owls:

It's because they lack a proper evening routine.

Fix your evening routine and your morning routine will fix itself.

Barakah is not found in fighting your body's natural rhythm but in aligning yourself with the divine design.

VII) Choose friends wisely

Good friends remind you of Allah.

Bad friends distract you from Allah.

Conversations when Allah is mentioned hits different.

Don't be the person who says:

Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a friend.

25:28

الصاحب ساحب

The companion pulls (or drags).

The people you surround yourself with shape your mindset, habits, and future.

You want to level up?

• Be friends with people who are more fit than you

• Be friends with people who know more qur'an than you

• Be friends with people who make more halal money than you

• Be friends with people who have more discipline than you

When you surround yourself with people like this, you have no choice but to rise to their level.

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

Choose wisely.

VIII) Sleep when its time to sleep

Sleep is a blessing and successful Muslims honor the natural rhythm Allah created:

It is Allāh who made for you the night that you may rest therein and the day giving sight..

40:61

Night for rest and day for work.

Fix your sleep, fix your life.

How are you going to wake up for Fajr if you sleep at 2am?

Be for real.

Sleep soon after ‘Isha. Avoid unnecessary late nights.

This is the sunnah.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ disliked to sleep before the Isha prayer and to talk after it.

Bukhari

Your body is an amanah (trust) from Allah. Respect it.

• Get 6-8 hours of sleep — or more if your body needs it.

• Newborn parents, you're excused for now. Take care of that baby.

The only other excuse for less sleep is worship.

Wealth With Purpose

Wealth and the lack thereof is a test.

It can lead you to Jannah or it can lead you to Jahannam.

Use it to serve Allah.
Use it to serve others.

And it will serve you in both this world and the next.

May we all strive to use our resources in ways that please Allah and benefit His creation.

And as always:

مع حبي (with love)

— Saufiyah ♡