Spiritual Intelligence: Abundance

As-salaam alaykum!

There's a module in my Spiritual MBA program where I give this hypothetical scenario to my clients:

"Imagine you are arriving at the masjid for Jumuah, and as you are about to walk in you hear a honk and see the imam pulling up in a Ferrari with the top down waving at people. What is your immediate first thought/feeling?"

[Take a moment and do the exercise, and reply to this email with what came up for you]

Here's what one client said:

"I definitely judged and the word that came up was wasteful. Shouldn't he be giving that money to those who are in need instead of spending it on luxuries?"

There is so much to unpack from this statement, but notice the scarcity assumption:

Why assume that this person didn't donate 10x the car's worth? Why assume he had limited money and spent it all on the car?

There is so much out there about "abundance vs scarcity thinking" but in reality most of experience with money and wealth is rarely conscious thinking but rather unspoken subconscious beliefs.

Here's the spiritually intelligent reframe:

Abundance isn't a number, it's a state of the heart. Abundance isn't about what we have, but who we are.

The Scarcity Paradox

The more we accumulate, the more we fear losing.

The more we achieve, the more we worry about maintaining.

The more we have, the less enough it feels.

This is the scarcity paradox: Capitalistic achievement amplifies scarcity thinking instead of eliminating it.

You'd think a million in the bank would create abundance mindset. Instead, it creates anxiety about the second million.

I noticed this in my own life. When I didn't have money, I stressed about providing for my family. When I had money, I stressed about losing it. Either way, I was stressed!

Abundance is never about how much money we have. It's about connecting with the Source of Abundance, Allah.

The Provider Principle

Allah has 99 names. One is "Ar-Razzaq": The Provider.

Not "The Occasional Provider." Not "The Conditional Provider." Not "The Provider When You Work Hard Enough."

The Provider. Period.

This isn't about sitting back and expecting checks to arrive. It's about understanding that provision has a source beyond our limited understand.

The Quran states:

"There is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision" (11:6).

Not "might be." Is.

Your rizq is guaranteed. The question isn't whether you'll receive it, but whether you'll recognize it, appreciate it, and distribute it.

The biggest challenge we face today is that we think provision or Rizq is purely financial. Allah's Provision goes well beyond fiances.

Good health is Rizq.

Good friends are Rizq.

Nature is Rizq.

The alternation of night and day is Rizq.

Etc.

One exercise I often do with my entrepreneur clients is to assess efforts on non-monetary outcomes.

For example, you might host an event with the hopes of attracting clients. At the end of the event, you might sulk because you got zero new clients. This is a very narrow-sighted view of "success" and Rizq. Instead, can you list 5-10 non-monetary blessings that came from the event? The people you met. The advice you got. The positive feelings you felt, etc.

A bit part of an "abundance mindset" is to no longer let money the only measure of success and well-being.

Scarcity vs. Abundance Thinking

Scarcity sees competitors as threats. Abundance sees competitors as confirmation of market opportunity.

Scarcity hoards information. Abundance shares wisdom knowing it multiplies when distributed.

Scarcity negotiates from fear. Abundance negotiates from confidence.

Scarcity says "I can't afford to give." Abundance says "I can't afford not to give."

These (and other) subtle mental shifts, can help you experience life different even if your material conditions don't change (or even worsen).

Here is a message one of my client left me recently:

As-salamu alaykum, Brother James,

Alhamdulillah, your spiritual coaching has truly transformed my entrepreneurial journey. While I'm at my lowest point financially, I'm not panicking or giving up. Instead, I'm feeling deep contentment, trusting Allah to guide each step. Everything you taught in the Spiritual MBA is sustaining me now. Allah is providing in unexpected ways, through relationships, connections, and deepening my deen. Two years ago, I would have been in crisis and ran back to corporate but this time I am feeling calm in the midst of choas. JazakAllahu khayran for this gift.

The Multiplication Mindset

The Quran describes charity with a stunning metaphor:

"Like a grain that grows seven spikes, in each spike a hundred grains" (2:261).

1 becomes 700.

This isn't just about charity. It's about understanding how abundance works. What you release returns multiplied. What you grip tightly diminishes.

Every resource you share with no expectation. Every opportunity you create for others. Every piece of value you give freely.

It all comes back compounded.

Nothing is lost with The All Seer (Al Baseer)

The Abundance Audit

Look at your last week's decisions:

• How many came from protecting what you have?
• How many came from expanding what's possible?

If protection exceeds expansion, you're operating from scarcity regardless of your bank balance.

The Three Abundance Practices

1. Give Before You Get

Start every interaction by offering value. Not as manipulation aka "I'll give so they'll give back." But as manifestation of abundance "I have so much, sharing is natural."

A tech founder I know starts every meeting by asking: "How can I help you?" Not after the ask. Before.

His network is worth more than his net worth.

2. Celebrate Others' Wins

Scarcity sees another's success as your limitation. Abundance sees it as proof of what's possible.

When competitors win, scarcity thinks: "That should have been mine."

Abundance thinks: "The market is validating our direction."

Clap for people, even if you are on the come-up. You don't need to be "successful" to wish success for others.

3. Invest in Overflow

Scarcity invests in protection: insurance, hedges, defensive positions.

Abundance invests in expansion: people, capabilities, possibilities.

Both manage risk. But one manages from fear, the other from faith.

A simple question to ask yourself: if time and money were no object, what would I be doing right now?

The Zero-Sum Myth

Business school teaches commerce is zero-sum. Your win is someone's loss. The pie is fixed.

But spiritual intelligence says otherwise. The pie expands. Value multiplies. Everyone can win.

When you operate from abundance:

• You create opportunities rather than taking them
• You expand markets rather than capturing share
• You elevate industries rather than defeating competitors

This isn't naive optimism. It's understanding how creation actually works.

In a world where everyone's protecting, providing becomes a superpower.

While others negotiate from scarcity, you negotiate from surplus.

While others fear giving too much, you fear giving too little.

The Fear of Abundance

Here's what nobody admits: Abundance is terrifying.

Scarcity is predictable. You know the game: protect, defend, accumulate.

Abundance requires faith. Trust that giving creates getting. Belief that provision continues. [If you want to build the faith for abundance, make sure you join my Manifesting for Muslims Live Jan 19-21]

Most executives choose the familiar fear of scarcity over the unfamiliar faith of abundance.

The Tuesday Test

This Tuesday, make every decision from abundance:

• Price a proposal from value, not fear
• Share knowledge without calculating return
• Invest in someone's growth without guaranteed benefit

Notice what happens:

• To your energy
• To others' response
• To unexpected opportunities

Abundance creates abundance. But you have to go first.

The Ultimate Question

Are you wealthy or just rich?

Rich counts dollars. Wealth counts blessings: relationships, health, peace, purpose, impact.

Rich fears losing. Wealth knows provision is infinite.

Rich accumulates. Wealth circulates.

You can be rich with scarcity mindset. But you can only be wealthy with abundance.

Where is scarcity thinking limiting your expansion? What would change if you trusted provision more than protection?

May Allah's Peace be with you

James