Why Playing Small Is Holding You (and Others) Back

When I first started seeing success as an entrepreneur, 

It felt like stepping onto a stage, 

with bright lights, 

only to realize I wasn’t ready for the audience.

Friends would ask about my success, praising my drive. 

But instead of feeling proud, 

I was overwhelmed with discomfort.

Growing up, I was taught that standing out was a no-no. 

Blending in was safer. 

It meant I wouldn’t risk making anyone feel uncomfortable or envious. 

I remember the sting of watching others proudly share their accomplishments. 

I never wanted to take away from their joy, 

but their confidence highlighted my own self-doubt.

Now, as someone looked up to by others, I was scared of making people feel the way I once did. 

Strangely, I found it easier when people sympathized with my struggles than when they admired my successes.

If others thought highly of me then..

I had something to lose.

A standard to uphold. 

So, I instinctively downplayed my wins.

Adding to this was the fact that this success came shortly after i reverted to Islam. 

Even though I admired successful muslim entrepreneurs, I still struggled with the belief that wanting more than a regular 9-to-5 might somehow be un-Islamic. 

I felt ashamed to take credit for my achievements, knowing that every blessing comes from Allah.

If He didn’t want to grant me success, no amount of hard work would have made a difference.

This internal battle left me wondering:

How could I celebrate my success without feeling guilty? 

Embracing Success and Sharing Blessings

As Muslims, we are taught to be humble and grateful. 

But sometimes, we confuse these values with playing small and hiding the success Allah has blessed us with. 

This often leads to fear:

• Fear of standing out

• Fear of judgment

• Fear of the evil eye 

But here’s the truth.

When you play small, you’re not just dimming your own light.

You’re also holding back from uplifting and inspiring others.

If you've achieved success—whether financial, academic, or personal—and keep it to yourself, how can others benefit from your journey?

Allah has blessed each of us with unique talents, opportunities, and successes. 

By downplaying these gifts, you’re not practicing true humility,

you’re holding back from showing gratitude to Allah.

Gratitude is more than saying

“Alhamdulillah.” 

It’s about using the blessings you’ve been given to make a difference in the world.

When we hide our achievements or shy away from leadership, 

We miss the opportunity to inspire and uplift others. 

Our Ummah needs more leaders, innovators, and voices who aren’t afraid to step up and make an impact. 

We need to aim higher.

Look at the legacy of Muslims throughout history. 

Did they sit quietly? 

No.

They were pioneers in education, science, and medicine. 

• Fatima al-Fihri, the founder of the world’s first university, didn’t play small. She established the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco, which continues to educate thousands today.

• Ibn Sina (Avicenna) revolutionized medicine, and his works were used in Europe for centuries. His courage to explore and innovate didn’t just benefit his time; it shaped global medical practices.

• Al-Khwarizmi, the father of algebra, didn’t hide his intellect. His contributions to mathematics became the foundation of modern science and technology. Imagine if he had thought, “I’ll just keep this knowledge to myself. I don’t want anyone to envy me.”

These remarkable figures trusted in Allah’s plan and had the courage to share their gifts with the world. 

Their success wasn’t just for themselves.

It transformed entire communities and laid the foundation for future generations. 

Your success could do the same.

The Power of Sharing Success

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“There is no envy except in two: a person whom Allah has given wealth, and he spends it in the right way, and a person whom Allah has given wisdom, and he uses it to make decisions and teach others.”

Wealth, success, and influence are tools for good,

if used with the right intention. 

When you share what Allah has blessed you with, you’re not boasting; 

you’re fulfilling a higher purpose.

Allah tells us in the Qur’an:

And what is [the matter] with you that you do not fight in the cause of Allah and for the oppressed among men, women, and children who cry out, 'Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?' [4:75]

But how can we fight for our Ummah if we don’t have the courage to be seen?

Take the story of Prophet Yusuf (AS) as an example. 

He rose to a position of great power and wealth, but he didn’t hide it.

Instead, he used his resources to save his people during a time of famine.

His success became a lifeline for others in a time of crisis.

Don’t Let Fear of Evil Eye Stop You

It’s completely natural to worry about the evil eye. 

In fact, we should be mindful of it, as Allah teaches us in the Qur’an:

"Say, 'I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak from the evil of that which He created... and from the evil of an envier when he envies.' [113:1-5]

But hiding your blessings out of fear keeps you from experiencing the fullness of what Allah has given you. 

It’s important not to allow your fear to grow larger than your trust in Allah’s protection.

“And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him; and if He intends for you good, then there is no repeller of His bounty. He causes it to reach whom He wills of His servants. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” [10:107]

Yes, the evil eye is real, but so is the incredible power of gratitude & du’a. 

Allah has provided us with daily adhkars (supplications) as a shield against harm. 

Protect yourself by making it a habit to recite your morning and evening adhkars with intention. 

Then put your full trust in Allah’s protection.

I usually listen to Omar Hisam on youtube or spotify and recite after him. This has helped me alot! 

Morning Adhkars 

Evening Adhkars

How to Share Success with Humility and Gratitude

Success, as Muslims, is a gift from Allah. Every achievement we have is by His will and mercy. 

Our Ummah needs wealth, knowledge, and influence in the hands of those who seek to do good. 

Now, more than ever. 

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), despite being the best of creation, was known for his deep humility.

His achievements never led him to pride but rather to increased gratitude and service to others.

When we succeed, we should remember to follow this example.

Remaining humble, 

Attributing our successes to Allah, 

And acknowledging those who helped us along the way. 

Sharing stories of the challenges and obstacles we faced, 

and how Allah guided us through them, 

makes our successes relatable and inspiring without coming across as boastful.

7 Practical Steps to Sharing Success:

1. Keep Good Intentions:

   Are we sharing to uplift others, or are we unconsciously seeking validation?

   Islam teaches us the importance of niyyah (intention), and this is where we should begin. If the intention is to benefit others, then sharing becomes a positive act, not one of pride or boasting

2. Show Gratitude, Not Arrogance:

   Remember that your achievements are a blessing from Allah, not your own doing. This perspective keeps you humble and focused.

3. Be Transparent:

   Share the challenges, mistakes, and support you received along the way. Avoid exaggerating accomplishments. Authenticity resonates more than perfection.

4. Use Your Success for Good:

   Whether it’s wealth, knowledge, or influence, use it to uplift others. Charity, mentorship, and community work are great ways to share your blessings.

5. Balance Caution and Faith:

   Protect yourself from the evil eye and envy by reciting your daily adhkars. However, don’t let fear paralyze you; share your blessings with sincerity and trust in Allah's protection. 

6. Uplift Others:

   Practice saying اللّهُـمَّ بارِكْ (allahumma barik), meaning “May Allah Bless You,” when you see someone share their success.

   When you make dua for others, the angels will make that same dua for you.

7. Protect yourself from destructive praise:  

   With the du’a of Abu Bakr (R.A)

   “O Allah, make me better than what they think of me, and forgive me for what they do not know about me, and do not take me to account for what they say about me.”

The Ripple Effect of Success

When we embrace and share our successes, we create a ripple effect that can positively impact our families, friends, and communities. 

Your story could be the inspiration that drives someone to take the leap they’ve always been afraid of. 

Imagine a young muslimah who has always wanted to start her own business but fears judgment.

She stumbles upon a social media post from someone like you.

Someone who has faced challenges but has achieved their goals while staying true to their beliefs. 

Your honesty and openness about your journey inspires her, 

giving her the courage to pursue her own dreams.

The community thrives when we support one another.

Creating an environment of encouragement and inspiration. 

Instead of feeling threatened by someone else’s success, 

we should celebrate it.

Knowing that every individual’s journey contributes to the growth of our Ummah.

Focus On What You Can Control

We often worry about what others might think or say. 

The truth is that people will always have opinions.

Some positive.

Some negative.

You can’t control how others perceive you. 

Only how you choose to respond.

Instead of internalizing negative comments, 

focus on your purpose. 

Reflect on why you started and the positive impact you want to have. 

Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you. 

Their encouragement will help drown out the negativity and remind you that you’re on the right path.

Even the most successful people face criticism. 

In fact, criticism often accompanies success. 

So, rather than shying away from your achievements, 

use them as a platform to advocate for your values, beliefs, and aspirations.

Cultivating a Mindset of Abundance

To truly own your success, you need to shift your perspective from scarcity to abundance.

A scarcity mindset is like wearing blinders.

It convinces us that opportunities and resources are in short supply. 

This belief can lead us to downplay our achievements, often out of fear that others might see us as boastful or arrogant. 

It also creates an internal tug-of-war that makes it difficult to genuinely celebrate the success of those around us.

Now, let’s flip that script. 

An abundance mindset says:

“There’s room for everyone at the table.”

It recognizes that we can share, support, and celebrate each other’s victories without it taking away from our own. 

In fact, the more we lift one another up, the stronger we all become.

As one of my favorite hadith reminds us: 

“O My servants, if the first of you and the last of you, and the humans of you and the jinn of you, were all to stand together in one place and ask of Me, and I were to give everyone what he requested, then that would not decrease what I possess, except what is decreased of the ocean when a needle is dipped into it. O My servants, it is but your deeds that I account for you, and then recompense you for. So he who finds good, let him praise Allah, and he who finds other than that, let him blame no one but himself.” [Muslim]

Use others' successes as a reflection of what’s possible rather than a threat to your own journey. 

Let’s cheer for each other. 

Let’s celebrate those wins. 

After all, there’s plenty of success to go around,

and there’s so much barakah when it’s shared.

4 Steps to an Abundance Mindset:

1. Practice Gratitude Daily: Take time each day to reflect on the blessings in your life. This helps you recognize the abundance around you and shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have.

2. Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Identify any negative thoughts or beliefs that hold you back from embracing your success. Replace them with empowering affirmations that encourage you to take pride in your accomplishments.

3. Celebrate Others' Successes: Make it a point to genuinely celebrate the achievements of others. This not only fosters positive relationships but also reinforces the belief that their success doesn’t take away from yours

4. Visualize Your Goals: Create a vision board or write down your goals. Visualizing what you want to achieve will help you stay motivated and remind you that your dreams are valid and achievable.

It’s time to stop playing small.

Embrace the blessings Allah has given you. 

Take the leap. 

Share your journey, celebrate your successes, and encourage others to do the same. 

That’s all I got for you today.

But hold on—this is just the tip of the iceberg.

If you’re curious about what’s coming next (and trust me, you’ll want to know)

subscribe now to join our growing community ↓

Your journey is one of a kind, and every success, big or small, deserves to be celebrated.

I can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make!

Jazakum Allahu Khairan for reading all the way to the end!

May Allah bless and protect you abundantly.

Until next time,

- Lina 🤍