Adil Hussain

They bought Asda in 2021 in a leveraged buyout (borrowed money against Asda’s assets). Asda’s total debt is now £4.2bn. In February 2024, the debt interest is forecasted to be £426m! (it was £90m in 2021).

You don’t need to be a Muslim to understand how evil leveraged buyouts are. Look at Manchester United and the Glazers. In 2005, they bought MUFC for ~ £800m and loaded the club with a debt of £525m! Since then United have spent ~£900m on interest payments!

The interest repayments alone could have refurbished Old Trafford which has rotted under their ownership.

The Blueprint to Success

I remember the excitement when it was first announced that a pair of Muslims were going to be buying one of the largest supermarkets in the country. This quickly turned to disappointment when we realised how they were doing it.

Muslims, we already have our blueprint for success. It’s the Quran and Sunnah. We have role models like Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf RA who was a legendary businessman yet did it without compromising his faith. He was also one of the famous ten companions who were promised paradise.

Here’s some of the blueprint: 

1. Have tawakkul (trust in Allah SWT) 
2. Dua (can open any doors) 
3. Give sadaqah (charity will always give you more back) 
4. Be grateful (promised more for being grateful) 
5. Optimise for barakah (for exponential blessings) 

The pressure is on them now and they are getting questioned by the government on their finances. This is what happens when you play riba games. The consequences will eventually be met. One of the evils of riba is how it multiplies. It’s a disease that needs to be cut off asap.

Muslims, remember that we have a higher purpose and a higher goal. Paradise is sweeter than anything this world has to offer you. Keep that as your North Star in whatever you do.