(Myself with my 1st mentor, Brother Shahul Hameed a veteran in the industry)
I still remember the day I left my old agency.
An agency in which I spent 14 years of my career.
A second home which gave me my breakthrough in Islamic finance.
A fantastic work environment where I flourished and thrived.
Yet, I HAD to leave.
I did not want to. But I HAD to. With a heavy heart. For the greater good.
The day I handed in my badge, I did so with tears in my eyes.
I pondered for months. Should I stay, or should I go?
It wasn’t an easy choice. But ultimately… it was the right one.
So Why Was Leaving A Tough But Necessary Decision?
(Myself sharing on investment planning with my fellow colleagues in the industry)
Over the last few years, the Islamic Finance industry in Singapore has evolved dramatically.
When I first started out, there was just one shariah-compliant financial solution in Singapore.
Now, the market is inundated with such plans and policies.
The number of Islamic Financial Planners has increased multiple fold as well.
So what does this mean for you – Our Muslim Brother and Sister looking to protect your finances and create wealth the shariah-compliant way?
It means more options. More choices. More opportunities.
Due to this paradigm shift, I felt that restrictions in my previous agency did not allow me to serve my fellow Muslims to the best of my abilities.
If you’re wondering what exactly these restrictions are, let me explain more below.
Tied Agency Vs Independent Financial Agency – What’s The Difference?
My previous agency is a tied agency.
This means that as an Islamic Financial Planner under their purview, I was only allowed to offer plans/products from that ONE agency.
This was fine back in the day, when the Islamic Finance market in Singapore was still in its infancy stages.
However, as the industry grew, and more shariah-compliant products were made available, I felt that this was a major roadblock in my quest to serve my fellow Muslims in their financial matters.
Hence, I left and joined an Independent Financial Agency.
As a newly-minted Independent Islamic Financial Planner, all the wondrous possibilities of modern Islamic Finance were unlocked.
I could offer my clients the very best Islamic Finance plans, policies and products.
I could help them to increase their coverage, while still saving significant amounts (3-figures/mth) on premiums.
I could “mix-and-match” products from various world-class providers to provide high potential returns on their investment.
It felt like the shackles were removed.
It was liberating. Exhilarating. Super exciting!
Now can you see why I made the hard choice to quit my old agency, to become an Independent Islamic Financial Planner for the greater good?*
*(Is your current financial planner from a tied or independent agency? If you’re not sure, it’s good to find out so you can have 100% clarity over the options available to you.)
(Alhamdulillah. Blessed to kongsi ilmu with a group of NUS undergraduates recently)
Since my big move, I’ve taken my Islamic Finance game to a whole new level.
More money saved.
More coverage secured.
More returns generated.
Alhamdulillah! 🙂
Those are the positive outcomes my clients have been enjoying!
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Now…
If you are seeking a mentor, coach, consultant to share with you practical aspects on how you can plan your finance, the shariah compliant way in Singapore, I am always ready to help you.
We are in the 2nd week of “circuit breaker” in Singapore.
Although I have to work from home, I’m blessed because I still have a job that makes me excited everyday. 🙂
Alhamdulillah…I am thankful to NTUC Income for acknowledging and recognising my hard work by having my name mentioned in Straits Times.
I would like to thank my wife, Shikah Anuar for being my pillar of strength and believing in what I do.
My manager, Irene Ho for your continuous guidance to keep me focused on my goals.
I would like to thank my clients for your trust and support over the years in engaging my expertise to help you plan your finances, the shariah compliant way in Singapore.🙂
There are a lot of ups and downs. Moments where I just feel like giving up. Yet your tremendous support and encouragement continue to spur me forward.
Thank you all once again! 🙂
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Many have asked me on the story of my “overnight success”.
Being an Islamic Finance practitioner in Singapore since year 2007 is a dream come true for me.
It is my 1st job after ORD from the army.
Yet, my story began long before that.
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… My ambition when I was young was to become a school teacher. I love interacting with kids. And I love teaching, sharing my knowledge with others.
So after my O’Levels, I applied for Diploma in Teaching of Malay Language with Ministry Of Education.
I was called for an interview but unfortunately did not make the cut.
I was doing OKAY with my Malay language but I think my “peribahasa terabur” at that point of time because I was too nervous! That was my 1st interview in my entire life!:p
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So my second option, was to go for my Diploma in Accountancy.
My logic back then is that every company in Singapore needs an accountant.
To my mind at that point of time is that an accounting job is the most sheltered and safest job one can have.
The job will be irreplaceable and very secure!
So I applied for NP. I was living with my parents at Marsiling.
(My family and I celebrating Hari Raya a few years ago)
(Beautiful and spacious Marsiling before the BTO flats sprung up like mushrooms over the years)
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I thought studying in Nanyang Polytechnic – which is just next to the MRT – would be very convenient.
When I got the results of my posting., I got the shock of my life. I found out that NP stands for Ngee Ann Polytechnic!
and not Nanyang Polytechnic!
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There is hikmah to be rejected for my interview to be trained as a school teacher
and hikmah for me to accidentally choose to study in Ngee Ann Polytechnic,
because that choice CHANGED the course of my entire life!
In Ngee Ann Polytechnic was where I was exposed and trained to love and understand numbers.
Not numbers without meaning. 🙁 Practical numbers that will determine the life of a business. 🙂
Will the business succeed? 🙂 Or the business fail? 🙁
Can the stock make money? 🙂 Or the stock lose money? 🙁
We learnt how to create company’s annual report.
Trading, Profit and Loss Statement
Balance Sheet.
Statement in Changes of Equities
ALL FROM SCRATCH!
We computed Financial Ratios.
Analysed them. Interpreted them.
And presented them in front of our “clients’. Alhamdulillah. That was my first exposure to public speaking
and someway, somewhat, somehow, I enjoyed it…. 🙂
(My first experience presenting details of a financial statement in front of our “clients” 15 years ago)
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And in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I joined the business club.
Me and my business partner were 18 years old at that point of time.
We went for a business plan competition and Alhamdulillah was awarded with a funding of $3000. (that was a lot of money when you were students)
As we were below the legal age to set up a company, we used our fathers’ names to register a private limited.
The business failed.
Yet I learnt many important lessons from that episode that shapes me to who I am today! 🙂
(My business while I was still studying in Ngee Ann Polytechnic)
(While waiting for my enlistment in the army, I did a sales job promoting credit cards for a marketing company.
Alhamdulillah. I topped the whole company for 3 months before my enlistment.)
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(Myself in the middle after POP from BMT)
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Whilst serving my national service, i did my research.
I knew back then after ORD,
I wanted a job that allows me to have freedom of time.
I don’t want a desk bound job. I want to be my own boss.
I don’t want to stick myself to the 8-5 routine (just thinking about the morning peak rush hour makes my head spin)
And at the same time allows me to share my knowledge on finance with the common people on the streets.
That is where a career as a financial consultant looks appealing to me.
I did my research.
1 thing that I want to be assured is that my job must be Halal. I emailed MUIS and was directed to the fatwa on permissibility of cooperative insurance in Singapore.
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Alhamdulillah. We know the Hukum of getting cooperative insurance in Singapore is Harus (neutral).
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Yet, I know financial planning is beyond insurance.
What about savings for child’s education? Retirement? Wealth Accumulation?
And I discovered NTUC Income has numerous shariah compliant funds at that point of time.
NTUC Takaful fund (which now follows the Dow Jones Shariah compliant screening methodology)
NTUC Amanah Equity fund
NTUC Amanah Bond (Sukuk) fund
To me, having shariah compliant funds closely monitored by Islamic Finance scholars 24/7 is important.
Thus, that’s where I began my journey as an Islamic financial consultant in a cooperative insurer in Singapore.
(Picture with Alvin Soong’s team, my 1st mentor who brought me in to the financial planning industry a decade ago)
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When you first start out in the financial planning industry.
It was not easy. It was not a bed of roses.
If you think just by joining the financial planning industry, can immediately drive flashy cars.
Buy a yatch. Relax by the beach everyday.
No. Its far from it.
Many times, I felt like giving up.
In fact, I felt like giving up everyday.
To me giving up is easier than persevering.
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When we first started, we earned based on commissions.
(My first month commission when I first started my career as a financial consultant in year 2007)
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We don’t have the luxury of immediately earning a stable basic salary $2-$3k/month.
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Not only that. We have costs to pay.
If you see financial consultants doing roadshows at Malls or exhibitions, on average they need to pay $300/person for rental of space.
So imagine. My $700 commission minus off $300. I am only left with $400 to survive.
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Not only that. Year 2008, 2009.
Was the subprime mortgage crisis which lead to the global economic crisis.
That was the period of Lehman Brothers Minibonds Saga.
Many people were reluctant to part away with their money. People were very afraid of financial consultants.
I remember doing roadshows, and was told “Young man. I just lost $100,000 in XXX scheme. And you want me to invest with you?”
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. It was a difficult phase of my life.
I remember at that point of time……
Not even having enough money to top up my EZ Link card because minimum top up is $10. I only had $5 in my wallet.
I remember at that point of time,
having to turn down invitations by friends to eat buffet for lunch at the restaurant because I didn’t have enough money.
I remember at that point of time,
the nikmat of sharing briyani on a dulang at Wak Tanjong mosque when I broke my fast during the month of Ramadan.
That briyani was a luxury to me because I only had single digit $ in my bank.
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These memories evoke deep sad bitter sweet emotions within me that I can feel even till now.
I felt like a total failure.
But as Muslims, I always remember this. We are not alone. We have Allah S.W.T.
I make a lot of doa to Allah S.W.T.
As Muslims, I remember the words of Allah S.W.T.
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Alhamdulillah. Allah’s promise is true.
With strong support from my family and clients, I persevered. (eternally grateful for them because I have nothing to showcase at that time.)
After hustling for a while, things got better.
Once things stabilised, I then subsequently upgraded myself by taking my degree, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Banking and Wealth Management with University of Wales (UK).
My favourite module back then was Islamic Banking and Finance.
Alhamdulillah, with the guidance of our beloved teacher , Professor Asam, I aced the module.
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(Testimonial from Islamic Finance Professor during my undergraduate days)
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And Alhamdulillah, what came as a surprise for me at that point of time was when I was informed that I was amongst the top 3 students in my whole cohort upon my graduation.
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You have to understand this.
All my classmates were financial consultants, bankers and seasoned practitioners (some with decades of experience).
And to become amongst the top 3 students never came across my mind.
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(My proud moment receiving an award on stage)
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That gives me the determination and direction..
Allah gives me the rezeki.
The amanah.
Puts me in a very favourable position. For a REASON. (if you know me on a personal level, I rasa betul2 tak layak. There are many others who are way better than me)
I find that this is part of fardu kifayah.
And I have the responsibility to shoulder this tanggungjawab to share with our community the pragmatic aspects of Islamic Financial Planning in Singapore.
I have to prove and make it work in Singapore.
For me success in Islamic Finance is not just me, myself clearing my own riba based loans and growing my own money the shariah compliant way in Singapore. Success in Islamic Finance is helping others plan their finance, without riba, maysir and gharar in Singapore.
Why I continue to stay in this line after so many years is
because I believe I will be able to HELP many more Muslim families plan their finance,
the shariah compliant way in Singapore.
After I die, in the hereafter, at yaumul mashar, I need to present my deeds in front of Allah S.W.T.
I want to be certain.
Ya Allah. On this earth, you bless me with the rezeki to learn about Islamic Finance.
and I, Helmi Hakim had done my utmost best to educate and share with as many people on how they can plan their finance, the shariah compliant way in Singapore.
My mouth.My hand.My legs.My head.My heart.
All as one will testify that I have done my utmost best, to educate and share with as many people on how they can plan their finance, the shariah compliant way in Singapore.
And all, be it you are my clients. Or just anyone who has benefited from my sharing.
You will be my witness.
You will be my lawyers on judgement day, that Islamic Financial Consultant, Helmi Hakim when he was on earth, he had done his utmost best, to educate and share with as many people on how they can plan their finance, the shariah compliant way in Singapore.
Please send him to Jannah. Ya Allah. Amin. Amin…. Insya’Allah. 🙂
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Now… I hope you have benefited from my sharing on the Story of Islamic Financial Consultant, Helmi Hakim.
If you are seeking a mentor, coach, consultant to share with you practical aspects on how you can plan your finance, the shariah compliant way in Singapore, I am always ready to help you.
Some of you know that I recently went on a 23 days juice detox.
It is part of my new year’s resolution to eat healthy.
Stay fit.
Our body is an amanah from Allah S.W.T.
And we have an obligation to take care of our body through proper nutrition and exercise.
Detoxing my body through juice detox was a totally new experience for me.
For the very first time, I cleansed my body. Cleansing is a process to remove toxins from my body.
It looks simple. Yet its challenging.
But Alhamdulillah.
With proper guidance from my nutritionist and mentor, I managed to overcome it….
(Gallstones that came out of my body during my 2nd phase of Detox)
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Having said that, today I want to share more on the similarities of detoxing your body and Islamic Financial Planning in Singapore. 🙂
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1) Detoxing Your Body and Islamic Financial Planning involve processes
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Previously I thought that detoxing my body involves simply drinking fruit juice.
Or perhaps lemon juice.
Or perhaps aloe vera juice.
No.
There are many rules and processes to it.
Example, 80:20 rule.
80% of the juice must come from vegetables and 20% from fruits.
I learnt the proper step by step process of detoxing my body.
First 10 days: colon and kidney detox.
Next 7 days: gallbladder and liver detox.
Last 7 days: juicing.
It is a very elaborated process, yet I enjoyed my journey very much! 🙂
(Video of Financial Consultant, Helmi Hakim juicing his juices.)
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Similarly in Islamic Financial Planning, there are a number of steps and processes that I share with my clients.
Firstly, the FLAIR concept.
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Financial Objectives, Liquidity, Affordability, Investment Time Horizon, Risk Profile.
(F.L.A.I.R. concept used by Islamic Financial Planners in Singapore)
(Financial Consultant, Helmi Hakim sharing more on FLAIR)
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For Muslims, we have to understand the prohibition of Riba, Maysir and Gharar.
Riba, meaning payment or receipt of interests is strictly forbidden.
Allah S.W.T said in the glorious Quran, Surah Al Baqarah, Verse 275:
“Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest”
Maysir, meaning any form of gambling. And Gharar, meaning uncertainty. Both are not allowed.
As stated in Surah Al-Maeda, Verse 90:
“O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan’s handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.”
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Understanding the different type of shariah compliant screening methodologies is crucial for
us to build our 100% shariah compliant portfolio.
The entire process is very IMPORTANT!
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Because many have the misconception that as long as the financial instrument has no pork. Has no lard.
Automatically it becomes Halal. .
They call it ‘Muslim friendly’ financial instrument. .
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I have to politely remind them ‘Muslim friendly’ NOW, does not mean ‘Muslim friendly’ FOREVER.
and Halal financial instruments go beyond No Pork, No Lard.
There are other additional requirements to it…………
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That is why I advocate shariah compliant financial instruments.
These group of Islamic Finance scholars will monitor endorse that the underlying assets are 100% HALAL at any given point of time.
Today. Tomorrow. The day after.
Forever.
As long as the shariah compliant fund remains to exist.
This gives us investors the peace of mind that our financial portfolio is 100% Halal all the time.
Peace of mind in this dunya.
Peace of mind in the akhirah.
Alhamdulillah! 🙂
And of course we learnt from an investment perspective how you can make your money,
the shariah compliant way in Singapore.
(Halal Financial Plan Card I get my clients to keep at their home. I target to distribute it to every single Muslim household in Singapore. Insya’Allah)
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2) You need guidance.
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I remember snapping photos of 10 different type of bread and Whatsapp-ing them to my nutritionist seeking for approval.
The types of nut butter I can eat.
Or I cannot eat.
What to look out for when reading the ingredients.
I even went for cooking classes to learn how to cook delicious yet healthy food. Some people told me. “Alahhhh Helmi.
You can learn everything from Google.”
The issue here, there are too many different opinions in Google.
And you don’t know which is right. And which is wrong.
That is why you need professionals to guide you step by step in achieving your goals in a seamless process.
(Pictures of healthy food that I learnt to make myself)
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Similarly in managing your finance the shariah compliant way in Singapore,you need a mentor or a coach.
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Christiano Ronaldo, the world’s famous football player has a coach.
Tiger Woods, the world famous golfer of all times has a coach.
Khabib, the UFC martial artist champion has a coach.
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A mentor and coach can help you with 2 things.
First, show you how to get from Point A to Point B.
Secondly, make you aware on your blindspots and obstacles that you should avoid so that you don’t tumble and fall.
When you have a mentor, you have the “certainty” to know if you are in the right direction or not.
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Have you realise that time flies VERY FAST?
So fast, that is now February 2020!!!
Don’t waste time figuring out on your own.
Having a mentor can fast track your journey towards success.
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Fast Action, Fast Results.
Slow action, little results.
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Speed… Its now or never! Find yourself a mentor!
3) Right circle of friends
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I remember when I first got excited learning all these awesome new health info, I had the inclination to share.
But my idea got immediately shot down by others saying it is a waste of time.
Immediately, I stopped sharing and stayed focus.
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Sometimes, when you start planning your finance the shariah compliant way in Singapore, it is good
to keep things to yourself.
When you are new at something, keep things for yourselves.
After you get some success, then slowly encourage your loved ones.
And also start building your circle of friends who share the same goals as you.
There are many out there who can give you hundreds of reasons on why things won’t work.
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I treat them as excuses.
Justifications on why things wont work is just “NOISE”.
Don’t give power to noise.
Ignore them. Treat it with a pinch of salt.
When people say, “Islamic Finance is impossible in Singapore…”
My head goes “blah blah blah….”
When people say, “Riba is now acceptable…”
My head goes “blah blah blah…”
When people say, “You are never good enough…”
My head goes “blah blah blah….”
The “noises” are like the “blah blah blah….” in this song.
My favourite song currently. Listen to it! 🙂
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4) Your BIG WHY is important
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Part of my detox process involves swallowing the mixture of olive oil and lemon juice.
My gosh! That was the most challenging part of my detox.
I was like “Yucks!!!”
Felt like vomiting.
At that point of time, the question “why am I doing this?” played in my mind.
Felt like giving up. To me, giving up is easy.
So I took a bit of time to remember my BIG WHY.
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Similarly, when you want to plan your finances, theshariah compliant way in Singapore, your WHY is important.
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My friends….
When you know your WHY,
your HOW will suddenly come knocking at your door. 🙂
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Your BIG WHY will give you the energy to follow through the goals that you set in the first place.
Why are you doing what you are doing now?
Are you saving up for your child’s education? Why save up for your child’s education?
(My daughter loves her new school bag)
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You save up because you want to see your child be able to study in a good university in the future.
You want your child to be a doctor. A teacher. A lawyer.
An engineer.
An artist.
You want your child to be a successful individual who can add value to the society.
Or are you doing it for your retirement? Why save up for your retirement?
What type of retirement do you want to lead in the future?
When are you going to retire?
Bottom line, WHY you are doing something comes before HOW to achieve it.
Explore the reasons.
It will bring you far.
5) Successful people begin something and do it till they meet success.
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I like a quote by Profesor Hamka, a renowned Southeast Asian Muslim scholar and cleric.
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Kalau hidup sekedar hidup, babi di hutan pun hidup. jika kerja sekedar kerja, kera juga berkerja.
Which means…
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It only means that whatever you want to achieve in life, work towards it relentlessly.
If we do things for the sake of doing, sambil lewa, how are we different than the animals in the jungle?
When I was doing my 23 days detox, there are a number of times I felt like giving up.
Especially towards the last few days when we were only allowed to drink juices.
No solid food.
When I was fasting during the month of Ramadan, at least I could look forward to iftar.
Last few days of my detox process, I was on a liquid diet.
Not easy.
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Last kopek already. Jangan hangat hangat tahi ayam. Genggam bara api biar sampai jadi arang.
Successful people begin something and do it till they meet success.
How you do anything is how you do everything.
It’s now or never!
You start it. You finish it…. AS A CHAMPION! 🙂
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Now… I hope you have benefited from my sharing on Detox Your Body and Islamic Financial Planning in Singapore For Year 2020.
If you are seeking a mentor, coach, consultant to share with you practical aspects on how you can plan your finance, the shariah compliant way in Singapore, I am always ready to help you.
I love my job as an Islamic financial consultant in Singapore.
This job offers me the freedom of time.
Do what I want and when I WANT it.
I can choose to pray my fardhu prayers at the mosque
or at the comfort of my home. (My officeis just 3 buildings away from Masjid Ghufran).
I can choose to spend more time with my loved ones,
travelling all over the world.
(Me and my beautiful family spending quality time together)
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And also, being an Islamic Financial Consultant in Singapore offers me the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life.
I have the opportunity to observe and identify common traits of Singaporean Muslims who have achieved an admirable level of financial success.
They come from different industries.
Yet, all of them share this pattern.
Very common pattern.
I call this “Patterns of Success Dunia Akhirat”
This pattern sets them apart from others.
And I am going to share with you my findings, “5 Shariah Compliant Tips To Achieve Financial Success in Singapore”.
Bismillah! 🙂
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1. Strengten our relationship with Allah + Blessings From Your Parents
Some of you know that the month of June was a challenging month for me.
I was hospitalised for 8 days due to high fever
(Myself being hospitalised for the first time in my life)
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and my father-in-law passed away in that very month.
Sleepless nights.Emotional roller coaster rides – up and down..
I redha what happened.
I accept that it is Qada and Qadar.
Ketentuan illahi.
The episode taught me 1 thing. Treasure your loved ones.
Especially your parents.
They are our keramat hidup. One of themost POWERFUL nikmat that you have in this world if your parents is alive is their DOA.
Their prayers for your success. Their blessings.
(A picture of my parents, my sister, my brother-in-law and us!)
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Everytime I am confronted with challenges in life.
Or presented with opportunities that send butterflies to my stomach.
The first thing I seek is DOA, prayers from my parents.
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I realised those who are successful, they are very, very close to their parents.
They preserve silaturahim with their loved ones.
In addition to that, they understand 1 thing. Rezeki is from Allah S.W.T.
Financially successful Muslims take every action to strengthen their relationship with Allah S.W.T.
Through Solat Taubat.
Solat Tahajud.
Solat Hajat.
Solat Istikharah.
Solat Duha.
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(Sadaqah (Give to charity) andask help from our creator through prayers)
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Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him) said “la tatahrroku zarratun illa biiznillah”
(Not even a particle can move without the permission of Allah)
Do not depend on anyone.
Place your hopes only on Allah S.W.T.
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2. Pay your zakat harta
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Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam.
In my experience as a financial consultant,
when I conduct financial analysis for the public,
I realise many of our fellow Muslim Brothers and Sisters forget to pay zakat harta.
They pay zakat fitrah every Ramadhan.
But they overlook their zakat harta. They totally forgot about it!
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Some even question me the rationale.
The logic of paying Zakat Harta.
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“What Helmi? Because I have $100,000 for the past 1 year and multiply it with 2.5% –
I need to pay zakat of $2500 cash.
If I have $200,000 – I have to pay $200,000 X 2.5%.
I need to pay zakat of $5000! $5000 IS A LOT OF MONEY!!”
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I replied.
Zakat is 1 of the pillars of Islam.
(5 pillars of our Islamic Faith)
It is OBLIGATORY upon every adult Muslim of sound mind and means.
Zakat Harta is OBLIGATORY for Muslims whose wealth/savings that has reached its Haul (more than 1 year) and has reached kadar Nisab value (Refer to MUIS website for the current Nisab value).
The amount of Zakat to be paid is 2.5% of Nisab.
(Niat Zakat)
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Allah S.W.T. told us in the Quran, Surah at-taubah verse 60, on how zakat is disbused to the 8 asnafs.
“The alms are only for the Fuqara’ (the poor),
and Al-Masakin (the needy)
and those employed to collect (the funds);
and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam);
and to free the captives;
and for those in debt;
and for Allah’s Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything);
a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” [Al-Quran 9:60]
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If you need to pay zakat, you should shukur. You should be grateful.Because it means you are self sufficient.
You are in the position to give.
And if you are yet to have the opportunity to contribute to zakat harta due to not fulfiling the syurut of zakat/ requirements above, give sadaqah jariah.
Because by giving sadaqah jariah, Insya’Allah you will be blessed with the rezeki to contribute to zakat harta in the near future.
Amin. Allahumma Amin… 🙂
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3. Just Do It
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I like NIKE’s tagline.
Just do it.
That is the tagline of financially successful people.
After they seek ilmu, they don’t ‘terhegeh hegeh’ (procrastinate). They immediately take action! 🙂
I always share with my clients. Knowledge is not power. Knowledge TURNED into action is POWER!!!
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You know the ways to FATTEN your wallet
These are the ways to have more numbers in your Al Wadiah savings account
These are the ways to GROW your money the Halal way
These are the ways to CREATE your streams of shariah compliant passive income
You seek the knowledge. And what should you do? Take action immediately!
The best way for you to learn something and get results is to do it.
DO THE REAL THING….
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(Cone of learning shows that the BEST way to learn and GET RESULTS is by doing the real thing)
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I have never met anyone becoming successful just by reading books, and not taking action. To me knowledge is not power. KNOWLEDGE TURNED INTO ACTION IS POWER!!!
Knowledge without amal (action) is like a tree that does not bear fruits. Wasted right? 🙂
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4. Mentor
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The 4th shariah compliant tips to achieve financial success is to have a mentor.
I have been sharing this many times.
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There is nothing new on this earth created by Allah S.W.T.
Whatever you want to achieve, somebody else has already achieved it. ..
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So what you need to do.
You need to find them.
You need to befriend them.
And you need to model them.
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Financially successful people have mentors and coaches to guide them.
To show them the ropes.
To warn them if there are any obstacles at their blindspot.
Success is by design, not by accident my friends. We have to plan our success.
And having a mentor who has achieved what we want to achieve is a sure fire way to shortcut your route to be a financially successful Muslim in Singapore.
Amin. Insya’Allah. 🙂
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5. Ultimate Vision is Jannah
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Ultimate vision for us on this planet earth is to go to heaven in the hereafter.
This world is temporary.
Before we come to this earth, Allah S.W.T. asked all the creations, if we want to undergo a test.
Life is the test.
Allah S.W.T. told us, that the angels, the animals and the mountains refused, because they knew, they cannot bear that test. But we humans in our ignorance, agree to be tested. All of us.
Indeed, we offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant. (Quran 33.72)
You will say now:
I don’t remember being asked. Me too, I don’t.
We all don’t.
That knowledge was been wiped out for the period of the test.
But on the day of judgement, we will all remember that.
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My friends… We will die.
And we will be resurrected. And we will be held accountable on the day of judgement for our deeds in this dunya.
That is why I always ask myself.
Anything I do.
Every single action I take. Will it bring me closer to Jannah?
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One aspect that I hold on dearly is managing one’s personal finances.
Financially successful Muslims are very concerned with how they earn their money.
How they grow it. And how they spend it.
We ensure that every single step to earn our money.
To grow our money. And to spend our money.
Is shariah compliant. HALAL!🙂
Because why? Because we will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement.
Financially successful Muslims set our targets on Jannatul Firdaus.
Amin. Insya’Allah! 🙂
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Now… I hope you have benefited from my sharing on 5 Shariah Compliant Tips To Achieve Financial Success in Singapore…….
If you are seeking a mentor, coach, consultant to share with you practical aspects on how you can plan your finance, the shariah compliant way in Singapore, I am always ready to help you.|
One of my favourite topics is on retirement planning.
Recently, a lot of people came to me asking for tips, strategies on how they can save money for their retirement.
In this blog post, I will share with you, 5 Most Important Rules To Halal Savings For Your Retirement In Singapore…
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Rule #1. Start Early
This is my story.
During my early years as a financial consultant, I always advise my clients of the importance and advantages of saving money EARLY for their retirement.
Yet at times, I myself faced challenges when I wanted to save money. I came out with lots of “EXCUSES”!
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“Alah… Wait lah… Im still young. YOLO!!!!
Enjoy first. Later, when I am in my thirties, then I will start saving for my retirement.”
“Alah…. My pay is so little now. Wait when my income increases to a substantial amount, then I will start saving for my retirement.”
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Yet deep down in my heart, I know that the best time for me to start saving money for my retirement is when I step into the workforce.
This is because, at that point of time,we DO NOT have high money commitments.
We don’t have a wife to give nafkah.
We don’t have children to provide for their daily living expenses.
We don’t have a house to pay for monthly mortgages.
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The facts and figures are as clear as daylight.
If you want to retire comfortably in the future.
No shortcuts! Start saving money for your retirement as EARLY AS POSSIBLE!🙂
(The hill gets steeper if you choose to procrastinate and delay your savings for your retirement)
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Rule #2. Follow A Proven System and Personalize It
As you know, I struggled to save money during my early 20s.
Yes. I had my savings account. (I opened one at that point of time because I knew the importance of saving money for rainy days. In Malay, we call it, ‘Sediakan payung sebelum hujan’)
Yet. My SAVINGS account is more like a TRANSIT account.
The money rarely stayed at one place.
It moved around.
And it seldom remained in the account.
How many of you are like that?
Man… The feeling was bitter.
Every 13th of the month, at 12am, my salary would be credited.
By 11pm, the same day, 3/4 of my salary was gone to pay bills.
I told myself back then.
“I want to be a MONEY MAGNET!
Not a MONEY REPELLENT!”
So what did I do?
I read books.
I found mentors. (Paid lots of $$$ to learn from them)
I followed proven systems that many successful people had followed.
You know some of those concepts.
Concepts like,
‘Save First and then Spend’,
‘Forced Savings’
‘Identify and Differentiate Between Your Needs and Your Wants’,
‘Invest in Equities, Bonds, Commodities, REITS, Properties, ETFs’
‘Robert Kiyosaki ESBI’ model
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Coupled with my 3 year knowledge Diploma In Accountancy from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I began to develop the right mix.
The right recipe. The right formulas.
It’s a bit like cooking Sambal Udang.
(picture from resepinannie.blogspot.com)
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You need to find the right balance.
The right amount of cili kering (dried chillies).
Tamarind.
Salt. Sugar. Prawns.
Everything in the right proportion.
And….
My small, little advice.
If you have found a recipe and a system that works well for you…
Don’t have ‘itchy fingers’.
Stick with it. Follow the system closely.
Repeat the process again. Again. And all over again.
Till you reach your retirement objective.
It is that simple.
Simple yet sometimes, difficult to follow.
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Yes. If you have been trying to save money, and failed numerous times.
Let me tell you 1 thing.
It is not your fault.
We are human beings. We have our own DNA.
We have our strengths. And we have our limitations.
So the key here is for you to personalise your plan.
This is HOW I PERSONALISED my retirement plan.
As a Muslim, I know that Allah S.W.T. determines my rezeki.
Everything that I do, can only happen with Allah’s will.
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Say: “Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Mawla (protector).” And in Allah let the believers put their trust.)
Quran (Surah Tawba, Verse 51)
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Thus I made a decision, that whatever financial strategy that I am going to do.
I am going to do it the shariah compliant way. The Halal way in Singapore.
Because at the end of the day, its not all about strategies. Its about baraqah.
Its about seeking redha from Allah S.W.T.
I made up my mind.
I made a commitment.
I set myself to pursue knowledge to COMBINE the best financial planning practices in the conventional world and the Islamic Finance world.
I remember the story of “Rabbit and Tortoise”, that my teacher shared with me when I was in primary school.
You know the OVERCONFIDENT rabbit that lost the race to the tortoise.
The overconfident rabbit slept halfway, thinking he was fast.
He was quick. He was agile.
The slow tortoise will lose to him.
But lo and behold, the slow tortoise won the race because the slow tortoise was CONSISTENT.
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What I learnt from this story is that you can be the best financial wizard in the world.
You can have the best retirement strategies in place.
Yet, if you are not CONSISTENT in applying them.
Having enough money for your retirement will remain a far-fetched dream.
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I realise that a lot of people, treat money-saving habits like “hangat hangat tahi ayam.”
At first they get excited with the idea of retirement planning. But when they realize that it requires work, they feel let down.
Every other day, I have strangers asking my opinions on the latest get rich quick schemes.
Some asked for my opinion. Some asked for my endorsement.
(Something like this)
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I disappointed them by telling them in the face that there is no elevator to success.
You have to climb up the stairs.
I am a firm believer of ” Man jadda wajada, wa man zara’a hasada, wa man yajtahid yanjah ” Man jadda wajada, Siapa berusaha, dia dapat.
Man zara’a hasada means “sesiapa yang bercucuk tanam (Inshallah) akan menuai hasilnya.”
Man yajtahid yanjah means “sesiapa yang berusaha (Inshallah) akan beroleh kejayaan.”
and when it comes to savings for retirement. You have to CONSISTENTLY set aside a monthly amount for your retirement. Don’t touch that money. Don’t stop.
Because once you stop, you lose your momentum. And it will be difficult for you to start again.
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Rule #4. Be Flexible. Adjust
Along the way, we may face challenges.
Things don’t go as planned.
I always share with my clients. You draw a straight line on a piece of paper.
It may look straight in your eyes.
But how confident are you that, the straight line that you draw is really straight?
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In life, you need to be flexible.
I love this quote by Confucius.
Adjust the action steps.
Work with practitioners.
People who hustle and make things happen on the ground.
They devote their entire life perfecting their craft.
Be humble. Seek help from these people.
These people know the tricks of the trade.
And most importantly, they do it the legal way.
In short, we call them street smart.
If someone is doing better than you, its because they know something you don’t.
Be flexible. Model a proven winner. Copy someone who is making a mint right now.
If things don’t work for you, don’t shift your goals. Adjust.
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Rule #5. Don’t Give Up
We are lucky to be Muslims.
Because as Muslims, we believe in Allah S.W.T.
Whenever we face problems and challenges. Don’t place everything on our shoulders.
Remember what Allah S.W.T says
Innamalyusriyurah…
Setiap kesusahan, pasti ada kesenangan.
(Behind every difficulty is a blessing.)
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As Muslims, our 6th pillars of Iman is Qada and Qadar.
My mentor always reminds me of Qada and Qadar.
Qada is ketentuan from Allah S.W.T.
Sunatullah that Allah S.W.T. has set.
Example, for rainy days, one of the signs is that the sky turns dark. Cloudy.
And rain falls from the sky. Not from the surface of the earth.
If rain falls, we cannot stop that.
However, we can AVOID ourselves from GETTING WET. HOW?
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By opening an umbrella. Open and walk under that umbrella!
That Umbrella is Qadar. Which is our effort.
We cannot stop the rain (Qada) yet we can avoid getting wet by using an umbrella (Qadar).
Don’ be disheartened when you stumble and fall down while working towards your financial objectives.
Dust yourself up, stand and continue working towards your goals.
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Now… I hope you have benefited from my sharing on 5 Most Important Rules To Halal Savings For Your Retirement in Singapore.
If you are seeking a mentor, coach, consultant to share with you practical aspects on how you can protect your wealth using Halal Insurance in Singapore
OR
save, accumulate and grow your money the shariah compliant way in Singapore, I am always ready to help you.
A certified financial consultant, Helmi Hakim has won praise for his patience, perseverance and practicality when solving his clients’ financial concerns. For more information on how you can manage your finances better, contact Helmi Hakim at 96520134.
(Niat Zakat)
