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Assalamu Alaykum! In this episode of the Deen & Deals Podcast, we sit down with Asheq — entrepreneur, former lawyer, and leader behind the Miraj Collective. Asheq shares his journey from an immigrant upbringing to law, corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and eventually exiting a business — and why “making it” didn’t feel the way he expected.

We talk about why people don’t move because of logic, but emotion, and how emotional intelligence — when grounded in faith — becomes prophetic intelligence rather than manipulation. Asheq breaks down the three currencies every leader operates with: competence, trust, and emotion, and why success without alignment often leaves people feeling empty.

This conversation dives into ambition, risk, leadership, and how young professionals should think about success heading into 2026. We also explore the hidden cost of golden handcuffs, the difference between contentment and playing small, and how Miraj is helping Muslim men integrate faith, career, family, and leadership without forcing a false choice between deen and dunya.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Early Career Insights

01:39 Personal Background and Upbringing

02:54 Professional Journey and Key Lessons

10:27 Emotional Intelligence and Leadership

16:19 Balancing Career and Personal Life

28:26 The Impactful Life of Prophet Muhammad

29:56 Embracing Risk and Opportunity

33:16 Navigating Financial Security and Risk

38:53 Redefining Success and Purpose

43:55 The Mirage Initiative: Integrating Faith and Ambition

52:40 Practical Steps for Young Muslim Professionals

58:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Follow Deen & Deals:

• Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeenandDeals

• Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Where to find Asheq:• Miraj Collective: https://www.mirajcollective.com/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashequlhoque/

Where to find Mohammed:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammedkiswani/• Newsletter: https://www.mohammedkiswani.com• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC_gXQily4ZrmAvwb269n9Yw

Where to find Futhallah:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/futhallah-hamed/

#DeenAndDeals #Podcast #Leadership #FaithAndWork #MuslimProfessionals #Entrepreneurship #Ambition #CareerGrowth #Purpose #EmotionalIntelligence #Success #PersonalDevelopment #Brotherhood

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://deenndeals.substack.com/

Assalamu Alaykum! In this episode of the Deen & Deals Podcast, we sit down with William Padilla, mid-market AE at Aspire and content creator behind Sell That SaaS. Will shares his journey from digital journalism to sales and content creation, why authenticity matters more than chasing trends, and how sharing just a few “chapters” of your life can unlock real growth. He breaks down how early unpaid work with Cuts Clothing led to long-term paid partnerships like Upwork, and why creators should focus on quality and consistency before monetization.Follow Deen & Deals:• Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TmLGVf...• Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Where to find William:• LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-padilla/• Tiktok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@sellthatsaas?lang=enWhere to find Mohammed:• LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammedkiswani/• Newsletter: https://www.mohammedkiswani.com• Youtube: / https://www.youtube.com/@UC_gXQily4ZrmAvwb269n9Yw Where to find Futhallah:• LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/futhallah-hamed/#DeenAndDeals #Podcast #SaaSSales #TechSales #PersonalBrand #CreatorEconomy #BrandDeals #InfluencerMarketing #TikTokGrowth #LinkedInGrowth #UGC #SalesCareer #ContentStrategy #FaithAndWork #Entrepreneurship

Assalamu Alaykum guys - in this episode we talk about what to do if you get laid off: how to reset mentally, stay humble and keep income flowing, build a smart emergency fund, and then run a sales-style job hunt using tiers (your close network, a strategic LinkedIn post, warm intros into target companies, and only then mass applying) so you can bounce back faster and land something even better.

Timestamps:

00:00 Laid Off? Start Here

00:33 The Truth About Layoffs and Financial Pressure

02:35 Resetting Your Mind After Losing a Job

06:28 The First Moves You Must Make Immediately

08:59 Emergency Funds That Actually Save You

12:44 Hard Lessons From Real Layoff Stories

14:44 The Job Search Framework That Works

16:09 Your Network Is Your Secret Weapon

18:59 How to Create Inbound Opportunities on LinkedIn

22:17 Applying With Intention (Not Desperation)

25:42 Alternative Paths If Sales Is Not the Move

29:55 Staying Patient, Confident, and Grounded

31:11 Final Thoughts + Subscribe and Share

Follow Deen & Deals:• Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TmLGVf...• Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...• Subscribe to our newsletter: https://deenndeals.substack.com/Where to find Mohammed:• LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammedkiswani/• Newsletter: https://www.mohammedkiswani.com• Youtube: / https://www.youtube.com/@UC_gXQily4ZrmAvwb269n9Yw Where to find Futhallah:• LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/futhallah-hamed/

Salam everyone! In this episode of Deen & Deals, we dive into a conversation that hits close to home: identity, confidence, and showing up as your full self—especially as a Muslim navigating the modern workplace.

We share personal stories about growing into our identities, from refusing to shorten our names to learning how to confidently advocate for prayer, Ramadan accommodations, and faith-based boundaries on the job.We explore what it really means to be authentic at work, how confidence in your Islamic identity translates into confidence in your career, and why small acts—like asking someone how to pronounce their name properly—carry deep respect.

We also highlight moments of community and unexpected connection, whether it’s finding a meditation room to pray in, helping a colleague feel comfortable practicing Islam at the office, or meeting strangers who join your prayer in public.

Enjoy the episode, and may it give you the confidence to lead with your identity wherever you are.

Time Stamps:

01:01 The Importance of Identity

01:48 Navigating Identity in the Workplace

03:45 Respecting Names and Identities

04:41 Balancing Faith and Work

07:13 Challenges of Practicing Faith at Work

09:33 Creating a Comfortable Work Environment

11:11 Personal Anecdotes and Identity

11:33 Embracing and Expressing Faith at Work

12:38 Navigating Workplace Dynamics as a Muslim

14:18 Challenges and Strategies for Public Prayer

16:46 Practical Tips for Balancing Faith and Work

21:10 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Follow Deen & Deals:

• Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...•

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://deenndeals.substack.com/

Where to find Mohammed:

• LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammedkiswani/

• Newsletter: https://www.mohammedkiswani.com

• Youtube: / https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@mohammedkkiswani⁩ 

Where to find Futhallah:

• LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/futhallah-hamed/

Salam everyone! In this episode, we speak with Amen Elbaba about his inspiring journey into tech sales. Amen shares how connecting with a mentor on LinkedIn changed his career path and how his first job at Radio Shack sparked his interest in sales. We discuss the importance of resilience, faith, and strategic networking, which helped Amen overcome layoffs and achieve success in his field. Amen also talks about the significance of “Tawakkul” (reliance on God) and God’s plan in shaping his career. Towards the end, he introduces his coaching business, TechSteps, aimed at helping others break into tech sales. This episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to thrive in the tech sales industry while maintaining a strong faith-based perspective. Enjoy!Time Stamps:00:00 Welcome to the Dean and Deals Podcast00:13 Introducing the Special Guest: Amen02:20 Amen's Journey into Sales04:10 Breaking into Tech Sales at Oracle10:34 The Impact of Faith and Perseverance in Sales22:27 The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Sales Success Stories26:42 The Concept of Faith and Hard Work28:09 Career Journey: From Oracle to Startups30:49 Facing Layoffs and Resilience31:49 Returning Home and Finding New Opportunities35:35 The Importance of Networking48:55 Advice for Young Sellers52:17 Introducing Tech Steps Program54:56 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsYoutube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DeenandDealsSubscribe to our newsletter: https://deenndeals.substack.com/Where to find Amen:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amenelbaba/• TechSteps: https://www.techsteps.io/• Text him directly: (202) 500-5614Where to find Mohammed:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammedkiswani/• Newsletter: https://www.mohammedkiswani.com• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC_gXQily4ZrmAvwb269n9Yw Where to find Futhallah:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/futhallah-hamed/

Episode 6: Mohammed Kiswani ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammedkiswani ) and Futhallah Hamed ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/futhallah-hamed ) talk about work travel preferences, meeting with customers in person, post marriage habits, and balancing work/life with some Deen reminders in the middle. Timestamps:0:25 Starting the Day with Purpose1:29 The Podcasting Journey3:24 From Cold Outreach to Coffee5:29 Connecting with Customers6:41 The Serenity of Train Travel8:46 Beyond the Rails13:50 Post-Marriage Habits23:00 Emulating Prophetic Practice26:27 Prioritizing Family and Weekly Dates31:09 Mastering Work-Life Balance#softwaresales, #techsales, #saassales, #b2bsales, #salesmindset, #deenanddeals, #muslimpodcast, #islamicreminders, #deenfirst, #faithandbusiness, #muslimcreators, #mindsetmatters, #selfimprovement, #purposeoverpressure, #growthmode, #levelupmindset, #identityshift, #stayconsistent, #mensmentalhealth, #fatherhoodjourney, #disciplineequalsfreedom, #saleshustle, #quotaenergy, #closersmindset, #saasgrind, #dealflow, #workyourpipeline, #ai4sales, #realconversations, #motivationdaily, #faithandfocus, #greenjuicegrind, #rgamode

In this episode of Deen and Deals, we dig into why pipeline is the key to staying calm in sales and avoiding last-minute stress. We talk about building pipeline the smart way by focusing on the top 20 percent of accounts, using tools like Glean and Wispr Flow, and separating research from outreach so every hour counts.

We also break down RGA, or Revenue Generating Activities, which is the green juice of sales. It is the work that actually makes you money, like calling prospects, advancing deals, and booking meetings. If it does not make money, it is not an RGA.The conversation closes with mindset.

Know your hourly worth, stay consistent, detach from outcomes, and trust Allah. Effort compounds, and pipeline gives you the freedom to sell with confidence instead of desperation.

In this episode of Deen and Deals, we get real about tech sales. We talk about how we got here and why we stayed, the mindset required, and how this career teaches skills that can translate into anything you choose to do next. We also dig into financial discipline, living off base, using commission as fuel, and the importance of intention behind the work. Hope you enjoy!__Show Notes:00:00 Morning Routines: A Personal Journey02:31 The Importance of Family Time05:27 Balancing Work and Personal Life08:21 The Role of Accountability in Routines11:07 Adapting Routines Through Life Changes13:52 Energy Creation and Morning Rituals16:48 Navigating Slumps in Routine19:41 Optimizing Sleep for Better Health24:33 The Importance of Accountability in Faith31:06 Staying Humble and Recognizing Divine Support37:50 Reflections on Life's Journey and Future Goals__Connect with us:Mohammed - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammedkiswani/Futhallah - https://www.linkedin.com/in/futhallah-hamed/#techsales, #saassales, #b2bsales, #salesmindset, #morningroutine, #productivityhacks, #muslimpodcast, #deenanddeals, #mindsetmatters, #salescareer, #commissionlife, #financialdiscipline, #faithandbusiness, #athletemindset, #breakintotechsales, #salesnetworking, #followupstrategy, #closingdeals, #salesmotivation, #selfimprovement

In this episode of Deen and Deals, Futhallah and Mohammed get real about tech sales. They talk about how they got here and why they stayed, the mindset required, and how this career teaches skills that can translate into anything they choose to do next. They dig into financial discipline, living off base, using commission as fuel, and the importance of intention behind the work. They compare tech sales to being an athlete in the business world, touching on the highs, lows, rejection, and resilience needed to succeed. They also break down real strategies on breaking into tech sales, networking, following up, and closing the first deal which is landing the actual job.

Episode 2

In this episode of Deen & Deals, Mohammed and Futhallah dive deep into the big career question every seller faces: When to stay and when to move on? They share real stories from their journeys in tech sales, unpack the “Learning & Earning” test, and explore how patience, Sabr, and trust in Allah’s timing guide career decisions. From startup grind to big-brand comfort, this conversation blends sales wisdom, faith, and practical life lessons for anyone chasing growth without losing balance.

00:00 Introduction and the Challenge of Time Management

03:04 Navigating Job Changes in Sales

05:53 Learning vs. Earning: The Balancing Act

08:42 Choosing the Right Starting Point in Sales

11:46 The Transition from Big Companies to Startups

16:34 Navigating Sales Challenges in Remote Work

17:54 The Transition from Big Companies to Startups

19:31 The Importance of Grit and Self-Motivation

21:44 The Three T's of Sales Success

24:41 The Human Element in Sales

26:11 Decision Making Through Faith and Patience