My Story: From Engineer to Digital Entrepreneur

Assalamu Alaykum, it's Bilal! 👋

I combine modern personal development principles with timeless Islamic wisdom to help Muslims turn big ambitions into real achievements.

My mission is simple: give you clear, actionable steps that improve both your personal and professional life—so you can enjoy fulfilling work, nurture a strong family, and live a purpose-driven life.

A Prestigious Engineering Degree: From Following Friends to Finding My Passion

Like many high-school students, I struggled to choose a major. Most of my friends went into engineering, so I just followed that path. I loved technology anyway, and earning a degree from such a prestigious university was appealing to me. That piece of paper would surely be my ticket to standing out! I imagined the doors of opportunity swinging wide open.

But in the middle of my university journey, I realized that a career in engineering was not meant for me. Yes, I did, to some extent, enjoy solving those complex technical problems. But the idea of committing my whole life to engineering was not just unappealing—it was frightening to me.

In one Jim Rohn's talks I heard him say:

“Most people fail in life because they major in minor things.”

I wasn’t familiar with that quote then, but after years of personal and professional growth experiences, it rings truer than ever.

1. Exploring Alternative Paths: Education, Web Design & Personal Branding

As engineering felt too narrow, I started exploring alternative paths. The domains I dived into were vast, from behavioral economics, marketing, and persuasion to self-hosting, personal knowledge management, and Arabic literature. However, three skills have stuck with me: education, web design, and personal branding.

A. Education — A Fundamental Right, Not a Luxury

In our modern age, education truly is the great equalizer. In earlier centuries, the son of a farmer could not even dream of becoming a scholar. Your destiny was dictated at birth; social mobility was limited. Today, the internet puts the same knowledge, skills, and high-leverage tools within reach of anyone.

We live in a time where education is democratized.

Yet inequality inevitably persists. The door to learning may be open for all, but not everyone can walk through it. Education requires time, effort, discipline, and—perhaps most importantly—education requires money. Let's put it bluntly: we need at least enough money to be able to survive while going through the learning journey.

Without a basic safety net, having access to high-quality education is just that—access, not acquisition.

I entered the field of education with a deep motivation to provide quality education to the underprivileged. With my background in engineering, earning a math teaching certificate felt like a natural step. But education became a lifelong commitment for me after I travelled. Living in countries like Egypt and Indonesia exposed me to deep poverty, which reinforced my belief that:

“No one should have to choose between education & survival.
Everyone deserves to have their basic needs met.
Education is, just like food and shelter, a fundamental human right.”

We need to build educational opportunities.
This calls for people of courage, compassion, and commitment.
Consider this a gentle invitation to be part of something that leaves a lasting impact.

B. Web Design — Own Your Digital Piece of Land

A website in the digital world is like a street address in the physical world. Unlike buying physical property, claiming your digital address is quick and affordable.

I've always wanted my own “digital land”. When frustration hit me during my studies, I asked myself, “How hard could it be for an engineer to build a site?” That question dropped me into a rabbit hole of platforms, tools, and techniques that I never left.

From that first experiment, I’ve created a dozen more sites for freelancers, startups, NGOs, and community groups. Each had a different need, requiring a different approach. Here's how I make the process simple:

1. Discovery call: I learn who you are, what you're looking for, and the story you want to tell.
2. Template selection & customization: We choose a design direction to take that matches your brand and message.
3. Launch: Within 7 days, your site is live. So you can again focus on your goals, with a new professional digital presence you own.

C. Personal Branding — The Magnet for Opportunity

It's not about who you know—it's who knows you.

Personal branding, networking, and digital presence — are these just buzzwords, or the new currency with which growth opportunities are bought?

I've seen it time and again: the candidate who drops a LinkedIn intro or mentions an insider connection gets the interview—while the equally qualified stranger is passed over. Call it unfair, call it nepotism, or call it what it often is: picking the known over the unknown.

The first rule of playing the game is knowing its rules.

Or in the words of a painter:

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
― Pablo Picasso

Once we realize the power of personal branding, we can begin to shape how we're perception—turning our personal brand into a masterpiece. Just like an artist who is patiently refining his work, you craft a brand that grows clearer with every step.

A Real‑Life Lesson From Jakarta

I only discovered the true importance of personal branding and networking during my time in Indonesia.

On LinkedIn, I came across a high-profile conference that was about to take place in the capital Jakarta. During that time, I was actively networking in the hope of finding my next growth opportunity. This event might be my gateway! But the ticket price was an obstacle. It was far beyond what I, as a young professional, could afford. Most attendees didn’t pay out of pocket; their companies would cover the fee. But I was determined to be there.

I reached out to one of the organizers, whom I happened to know personally. Over the phone I delivered my elevator pitch and asked if there was any way I could attend. And that's all it took! With the best clothes I could find in my wardrobe, I went off that day to the event. The sessions were insightful, but the real payoff came from the conversations I sparked afterward. The connections I made that day remain part of my network.

I always knew that personal branding was important, but it was after moments like these that made my conviction stronger.
Having seen the impact of personal branding, I now coach others to build personal brands that works in their favor as well.

Here's who I love to work with:

• Professionals looking for their next internship or job opportunity.
• Entrepreneurs searching for high-paying clients.
• Creators with the goal of growing their social-media following.

2. Conquering the Inner World: Balancing Ambition, Faith & Family

My contribution doesn’t stop at digital presence. While personal branding is about how the world sees you, life design is about how you see yourself. The real transformation happens when we align our inner world with our outer presence.

That’s where my deeper work begins: coaching people to integrate the three essential parts of life—ambition, faith, and family. It requires intention and dedication to combine profit with purpose, action with belief, and ambition with intention. But the result is a life of balance. Imagine living a life where your spiritual goals, professional path, and family commitments don’t pull you apart — but actually strengthen one another.

You don’t have to choose between faith, career, and family.

Below are the three pathways I focus on to help Muslims conquer the inner world.

A. Life 🌱 - Designing Your Daily Lifestyle

“Building a lifestyle where balance is a mindset, not a moment.”

Life gets busy fast. In today's hyper-connected world, we're bombarded with noise, endless to-dos, and constant distractions. The result is fog that makes it hard to see what truly matters.

My role is to clear that fog so you can zero-in on the few things that give your life meaning and purpose. This is how we cut through the clutter:

1. 🧭 Map the landmarks: Identify the goals that matter most to you. You’re the sailor — this is your compass,
2. 🌪️ Spot the distractions: Write down the habits, apps, or tasks that block your path. These are the fog on your sea.
3. ⚓ Build anchor routines: Install repeatable habits that will automatically pull you toward your goals and push you away from distractions. These are your anchors, keeping you grounded when the wind of life gets turbulent.

Sounds simple, right? It is — once you know how to build life systems that support you. I call this “The Islamic Life Design”: a framework of systems, habits, and identity in line with Islamic principles.
The result?

Distractions fall away, noise gets filtered out, and that one small dot — the one you're meant to focus on — suddenly becomes crystal clear.

B. Work ⚡ - Finding Barakah In Your Business

Many Muslims want to launch a business and improve their finances. But the major problem we face, is that modern resources promote hustle culture, interest-based funding, and shady shortcuts. The result?

• Burnout.
• Debt traps.
• Compromises that hurt both faith and family.

But our goal as Muslims isn't just any success—what we're after is holistic success. The kind that lifts your Imān, strengthens your household, and serves the Ummah. Bottom‑line profit alone is incomplete; true prosperity comes when we find Barakah in our works.

What “Finding Barakah” really means

Barakah (blessing) isn’t found by working harder; it’s found by working right. We find it by aligning profit with purpose, and wealth with worship.

1. Halal Income Streams: Turning your skills and ideas into a business that complies with Sharia.
2. Purpose-driven Business Design: Structuring your business in a way that reflects your values as a Muslim.
3. Intentional Personal Finance: Earning and spending in ways that honors the teaching of the Prophet ﷺ.

“And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them, and provide for them from sources they could never imagine.”
— Qur’an 65:2-3

C. Family 💙 - Nurturing Your Masculine Role

Strong, compassionate leadership begins at home. Below are three pillars Muslim men can focus on:

3. Still Curious?

Are you still reading? Thanks for making it this far — I appreciate you. 💙

A. Here's a Bit More About Me

Since you’ve made it this deep, here’s a quick snapshot of who I am:

• Math Teacher – After finishing my engineering degree, I earned my teaching certificate and have been teaching math on a freelance basis ever since. Numbers keep me sharp.
• Polyglot – I'm fluent in English, Arabic, Dutch, and Indonesian. While I was learning Indonesian, I realized something that truly fascinated me: I was not just memorizing the translation of words, I was acquiring an entirely new perspective, shaped by culture, history, and worldview. I still encourage anyone to pick up a new language on the side—it will literally reshape how you see the world.
• Digital Creator – As a creator, I build websites, create digital content, and run a small halal-focused business.
• Writer & Speaker – I publish articles on personal development from an Islamic perspective. I've also spoken at webinars, schools, and universities.
• Community Builder – I have mentored students and young professionals. I also plan to launch an online forum for growth-oriented Muslims.
• Athlete - I enjoy boxing and running. I've completed two marathons during my time in Indonesia, which was a tough challenge. But it reminds me to play the long-term game: “slow and steady wins the race”.
• Traveller - Exploring new places refreshes my perspective and recharges my battery like nothing else. If a travelling opportunity crosses my path, I'm ready. Give me that passport stamp!

B. The Prophet’s Wisdom for Constant Personal Growth

“A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, while there is good in both.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Sahih Muslim:2664)

I first heard of this hadith as a child, but later in life did I comprehended some of it's deeper meaning. It reminds me that we're meant to keep growing — spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and even financially.

Every positive habit we build, every valuable skill we develop, and every meaningful relationship we invest in — it all makes us a stronger, more resilient version of yourself. Our biggest enemy is indeed ourselves, and the best “revenge” is self‑improvement. As the Prophet’s cousin said:

“The best revenge is to improve yourself.”
— Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A.)

C. Start Your Own Thing

Enjoyed the experience so far? Let’s make yours!
I’m here to help you turn ideas into reality.

That's all for today.
Do you have any questions or thoughts? Do leave a comment or get in touch! 💬

Want to continue this journey of growth together?
Subscribe below & stay inspired! 📩