That is the difference between God-conscious businessman and one who is not.

Three Tea Shops Side by Side

There were three tea shops standing next to each other. Two of them always had a TV playing. Dramas, movies, music, and dance filled the air, keeping the place lively all the time. These two shops were always packed with customers. It felt like bees swarming around a beehive, sitting so tightly together they wouldn’t budge even if pushed. So many customers, so much business!

Right next to those two shops was another one. This shop belonged to a religious man. There was no TV there. So, naturally, it didn’t attract many customers. Only those in the area who prayed regularly, practiced their faith, and weren’t fond of music and dancing came to this shop. They’d sit, drink tea, and leave quietly.

I would often see the shopkeeper sitting there doing zikr (remembrance of Allah) or listening to religious sermons. He had fewer customers, and he’d close his shop during prayer times. Watching this, I used to feel sorry for him. I would wonder, "Will he be able to keep his business running? Or will he suffer losses?"

But my heart would always say, “Surely he will. Allah will surely bless him. Sustenance comes from the heavens. Surely his Lord won’t leave him hungry.”

After that, I didn’t pass by that road for a long time. One day, much later, I happened to walk that way again for some errand. As I walked, I wondered whether that shop still existed. Who knew?

When I reached the end of the road, my eyes widened in surprise. I was astonished to see that out of the three shops, only one remained. The others had packed up and disappeared.

Do you know which two shops had shut down? The ones that always had music and dancing. And the one that remained was the shop of the religious man.

By Allah’s mercy, it was still running well. Just like before, a few customers would come, have tea, and leave. The shopkeeper would serve them tea, biscuits, and water, and in between, he would continue his zikr, listen to sermons, and close his shop during prayer times.

Truly, sustenance is in Allah’s hands. The TV shops were crowded mainly because people came to watch TV. After drinking a single cup of tea, the customers would sit for hours, mesmerized, watching that one screen. From the outside, it looked like the shops were doing great business. But in reality, it was all an illusion. There were hardly any real profits. Meanwhile, the electricity bills went up, and because of the crowd, the real tea drinkers avoided those shops and went to the quieter one instead.

What would happen? Rent, cable bills, electricity, gas—expenses kept piling up! There was no blessing in it.

But for a God-fearing businessman, there’s never a real loss. No matter how things are in this world, his account in the Hereafter is surely growing rich.

That is the difference between a God-conscious businessman and one who is not.True success and sustenance come from faith,integrity, and trust in Allah not from outward appearances or temporary popularity.

Blessings over business: A business run with honesty, faith, and values—even with fewer customers—can be more blessed and sustainable than one that seems successful but lacks moral grounding.

Deceptive appearances: Crowds and noise don’t always mean profit. What looks successful on the outside may be struggling within.

Reliance on Allah: The story emphasizes tawakkul (trust in Allah). Sustenance (rizq) is from Allah, and He provides for those who rely on Him sincerely.

Long-term over short-term: The two popular shops closed eventually, while the simple, sincere shop endured—showing that shortcuts and flashy tactics may not last.

Spiritual wealth matters: Even if worldly success is limited, a person who prioritizes faith is spiritually rich and rewarded in the hereafter.