Book by Mohammed Faris
The Sowsee Summary of The Barakah Effect by Mohammed Faris uncovers the secret to achieving more with less by aligning productivity with divine purpose, showing how faith, intentionality, and reliance on God can bring exponential blessings and success in both the here and the hereafter.
In The Barakah Effect: More With Less, Mohammed Faris weaves Islamic spirituality with modern productivity principles to present a paradigm for personal and professional success deeply rooted in faith. Faris challenges the “Hustle Culture” and offers an alternative: the Barakah Culture—a life aligned with divine blessings.
Faris explores how Barakah (blessing) transforms not only material aspects like wealth and time but also enhances unseen dimensions such as peace and fulfillment. He provides actionable frameworks to reclaim Barakah in a fast-paced world, ensuring that life’s purpose remains God-centric.
Mohammed Faris is an executive coach, productivity expert, and founder of The Productive Muslim Company. Recognized as one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims, his works bridge Islamic spirituality with personal and professional development.
Insight 1: Barakah Is Rooted in Sincere Intentions
Insight 2: Gratitude as a Gateway to Barakah
Insight 3: The Early Hours Are a Reservoir of Barakah
Insight 4: Barakah in Serving Others
Insight 5: Barakah Requires Sustained Effort and Trust
Insight 6: Small Acts Can Yield Massive Barakah
Insight 7: Barakah Anchors You in the Present
Every action, no matter how mundane, carries the potential to ripple through eternity—if the intention behind it is pure. This is the crux of Barakah: divine blessings amplified by what lies in your heart when you act. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, profoundly said, “Actions are but by intentions, and every person will only have what they intended”. In those few words, the transformative power of intention is laid bare.
Now pause and ask yourself: What motivates you? Why do you work, speak, or even wake up in the morning? The truth is, we live in a time where the external often eclipses the internal. We are taught to measure ourselves by our accomplishments, the opinions of others, and the tangible rewards of our labor. But Islam flips this narrative: success in the sight of God is not judged by results but by the purity of your purpose.
You could build the tallest skyscraper, donate millions to charity, or teach hundreds of students—but if your heart seeks applause or self-glorification, those actions risk being hollow. Conversely, the simplest deed—helping a neighbor carry their groceries or offering a smile—becomes monumental when done for God’s sake. The sincerity of your intention can elevate a fleeting moment into an act of worship.
Sincere intentions are powerful because they anchor your actions to something infinite. You’re not limited by the immediate outcomes, because your purpose transcends this world. Faris illustrates this in the book through the story of Shakour Abu Ghazalah, the founder of Al-Baik. Even as his restaurant struggled, he maintained his commitment to donate one riyal to charity for every chicken sold. He didn’t do it for recognition or profit—he did it out of a deep conviction to serve God through his work. And decades later, that sincerity bore fruit in ways that no business strategy could explain.
But sincerity isn’t easy. It requires vigilance. You live in a world where distractions abound, where ego and self-interest constantly whisper in your ear. Even noble deeds can become tainted by the desire for validation. This is why the scholars of Islam emphasize constant self-accountability. Before you act, ask yourself: Why am I doing this? Whom am I truly trying to please? And after you act, reflect again: Was my intention pure? Did I seek God’s pleasure, or did I stray into seeking worldly approval?
It’s also worth noting that sincerity doesn’t mean grandiosity. The Prophet, peace be upon him, reminded us that God values consistency over quantity: “The most beloved deeds to God are those done consistently, even if they are small”. This tells you that intention isn’t about perfection or performance; it’s about authenticity. If you start with the right intention, even the smallest act becomes significant.
Living with sincere intentions shifts your entire worldview. It frees you from the shackles of external validation. You no longer need to chase fleeting metrics of success because you understand that your worth lies in how closely your heart aligns with God’s will. This is the ultimate liberation—when your actions are no longer confined to the temporary, but tethered to the eternal.
Remember, every moment is an opportunity to realign. Begin each day with Bismillah (in the name of God) and infuse every action with a sincere desire to serve Him. As Ibn Ata’illah so eloquently said, “Actions are lifeless forms, but the presence of an intention brings them to life.” Let your intentions breathe life into your deeds, and watch as Barakah transforms your journey.
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