The discussion highlights that entrepreneurship and business are deeply embedded in Islamic heritage, not alien to it, with the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) serving as the ultimate example in business and leadership. The most underrated lesson from the Prophet’s life is his exemplary character, known in Makkah as Al-Amin (The Trustworthy One), even before revelation. His business practices with Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) were based on fairness, honesty, and transparency, which maximised profits and earned the trust of clients and customers. Usman Abdullah Malik urges Muslims to reclaim the narrative that associates the Prophet's Sunnah with entrepreneurship and business, viewing the pursuit of livelihood as a component of living the religion—holding the Dunya (world) in one's hand while keeping the Deen (religion) in one's heart.
The interview then explores how Islamic finance addresses wealth disparity in contrast to global capitalism, which concentrates wealth among the elite through capital and interest (riba). Islamic finance, which includes banking, Shariah-compliant business practices, Zakat, and Waqf, counters this by encouraging investment in the real economy and prohibiting harmful products like interest, gambling, or alcohol. The core principle is that making a profit in Islam is a tool, not the goal, to be used for the pleasure of Allah and the betterment of one's life and society. This focus on giving back through structured welfare systems like Zakat and Waqf (endowments) is what ultimately helps address wealth inequality by taking care of the poor, the indebted, and those in need.
Finally, the discussion delves into the power of Zakat and Waqf as economic tools rather than just acts of charity. Zakat is explained as a divinely mandated wealth tax system for wealth redistribution, which, if collected and distributed to the eight specified categories of recipients in the Quran, functions as a comprehensive welfare system. Waqf, on the other hand, is an endowment that provides funding for infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and mosques to support the community's economic development. For the Muslim entrepreneur, seeking profit is not contradictory to seeking the pleasure of Allah; in fact, it is encouraged, provided the intention (niyyah) is good—to spend the wealth in the path of Allah, give charity, and take care of one’s family. The discussion concludes by warning young Muslims against the pitfall of lacking basic Islamic knowledge (fiqh) on business, which can lead to involvement in riba or financial scams in the digital economy.