Growing 100K+ Followers Without Music.

You need music to grow

The biggest misconception.

Starting my career as a Muslim graphic designer, I knew things were going to be difficult. 

I knew I’d have to involve myself and post my work heavily on social media. 

I knew I’d have to avoid music. 

I knew I would have to avoid haram projects.

I grew 150K+ followers without using music, not even nasheeds.

Here is how I did it ↓

Understanding Why Music Strips Away Barakah

Truth is, the process was difficult, but it came with a sense of relief. 

We spend so much time trying to fit into a world where people make us feel weird for not following the norm, but why?

Allah SWT tells us that music is haram, so why fall into something that will bring no barakah to your business?

The moment you introduce haram elements into your business, you strip away the barakah. Your success may look impressive, but if it’s devoid of blessings, is it truly success?

Music can capture attention, but at what cost? 

If you rely on music to carry your content, you risk losing the ability to form meaningful, lasting connections with your audience. Your content should inspire, educate, and uplift-all without the need for haram.

Distraction from Allah’s Remembrance – Barakah comes from seeking Allah’s pleasure, and engaging in acts that distract from His remembrance can remove blessings.

How can we expect blessings in our business when we are not being mindful of Allah when posting? 

My mind and my heart were constantly telling me … if I was suddenly gone today, would I be proud of the things I’ve left behind for people to view and listen to? 

Would I be teaching them something beneficial or would I be straying them away.

Start With Good Intentions

The first step to building a successful and halal business is to start with pure intentions. If your goal is to please Allah and use your talents to bring value to others, then you’re already on the right path.

"Actions are judged by intentions, and everyone will be rewarded according to what they intended. So, whoever emigrated for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, their emigration is for Allah and His Messenger. But whoever emigrated for worldly gain or to marry a woman, their emigration is for what they emigrated for." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Running a business to provide halal income for your family becomes a means of pleasing Allah if your intention is sincere.

Even smiling at someone can become an act of charity when your intention is to spread kindness as taught by the Prophet (ﷺ).

Don’t uselessly post content in hopes for it to only go viral.

Be the person who teaches someone to do good. 

Post with a purpose. 

How I Used Writing Instead of Music

Writing is one of the most powerful tools you can use. I didn’t need music to capture people’s attention—I needed storytelling.

I talked to my audience through my captions. I made them long and personal, as if I was speaking directly to them, sitting across the table. 

I took them through my journey, my struggles, and my wins. People don’t just want entertainment; they want connection.

The reason writing is more powerful than music is because it allows your audience to internalize your words. Unlike music, which manipulates emotions instantly, writing gives people space to reflect.

How Writing Instead of Music Affects The Mind 

→ Encourages a deep focus

→ Enhances retention and comprehension 

→ Promotes self expression 

→ Induces a state of flow

→ Strengthens mindfulness

→ Engages the brain more actively

The way you tell your story matters. When I wrote my captions, I thought about the emotions I wanted to evoke. I wanted people to feel seen. I wanted them to read my words and know they weren’t alone in their struggles.

You don’t need music to make an impact. You need authenticity. You need to be relatable. You need to offer value beyond entertainment.

You Don't Need Music, You Just Need Connection

Many people assume that music is the key to making content engaging, but they fail to realize that connection is far more powerful than any melody.

When you truly connect with your audience, your words, your presence, and your sincerity will resonate far deeper than any beat or rhythm ever could. 

Music is fleeting, but an authentic connection is lasting. People remember how you made them feel, how your words spoke directly to their experiences, and how your content offered them something meaningful.

Social media is filled with distractions, and while music may seem like a shortcut to grabbing attention, it does not foster genuine engagement. 

Ask yourself this 

"Do I want my audience to stop on my videos for my content or just because they like the melody?" 

When you share your journey openly, when you tell stories that matter, when you invite your audience to be a part of your experiences, they will stay because they feel seen. 

They will follow your work because they find value in it, not because of a background track that momentarily caught their ear.

Connection builds community. Music only provides momentary noise.

Think about the most impactful posts you have ever come across. Were they the ones with trending sounds, or were they the ones that spoke to your heart? 

More often than not, the most moving content comes from raw and real storytelling. 

It comes from words that were carefully chosen, experiences that were vulnerably shared, and messages that aligned with your values. 

This is what truly makes content powerful.

Natural Sound Instead of "Trending Audio"

I started using nature sounds instead of trending audios because I wanted to create a space where people could truly engage with my content.

With social media being so fast-paced, I realized that most videos rely on catchy, trending sounds to grab attention. But for content that requires focus-like reading a message or taking in an idea-those sounds can be distraction. 

My purpose was educating, not un-intentionally posting

Using nature sounds set a calm and peaceful atmosphere, allowing the words on the screen to be the main focus rather than the background noises that stole my audiences attention. 

I knew nature sounds weren't the norm, but I also didn't care. 

I looked at my content and said to myself, well if someone sees my content on their feed maybe it will be a breath of fresh air. 

Effects of music 

→ Can be overstimulating
→ Changes your mental state 
→ Reduces comprehension 

Effects of Natural Sounds 

→ Promotes relaxation
→ Enhances focus 
→ Improves reading retention 
→ Supports a deep workflow 
→ Reduces mental fatigue 

Can the two even be compared? We see which one is better for your emotions and your brain. 

Using ASMR as a Tool

Instead of relying on music, I leaned into ASMR. The sound of a brush stroke, the scratch of a pen on paper, the crisp tearing of a sticker—these were my "beats." These natural sounds created an immersive experience for my audience, making them feel as if they were right there with me.

This is what your life looks like when you remove music from your life

→ You’re listening and memorizing the Quran. 

→ Going on walks makes you happy 

→ Music doesn’t control your emotions anymore. 

→ You enjoy peace, real peace. 

→ Your thoughts become clearer, and your focus sharpens.

→ You stop craving the constant noise and begin to appreciate silence.

Are you going to let other people’s opinions stop you from listening to the commands of Allah?

Alternatives to Music in Your Content

Just because you’re not using music doesn’t mean your content has to be dull. There are so many creative, engaging, and halal ways to
make your posts and videos stand out.

Here are a few ideas ↓

→ Use Spoken Words or Voiceovers: Share your thoughts, tell a story, or explain your process through voiceovers. Your voice is more personal and impactful than background music.

→ Incorporate Natural Sounds: Use ambient sounds like birds chirping, waves crashing, or the hum of activity in your workspace to create an authentic vibe.

→ Focus on Visuals: Let your content shine through beautiful visuals, smooth transitions, and creative editing. A well-made video doesn’t need music to grab attention.

→ Use Subtitles and Captions: Many viewers watch content without sound, so detailed captions or subtitles can keep your audience engaged without needing any background audio.

Your Authenticity is Your Strength

When you choose to stay true to your deen and avoid music, you’re not just making a personal decision, you’re setting an example for others.

You’re showing your audience that it’s possible to succeed without compromising your values.

You’re reminding them that being unapologetically Muslim is more important than following fleeting trends.

Authenticity resonates deeply.

When people see that you’re staying true to your faith, they’ll respect you for it.

Muslims, in particular, will rally behind you because they see someone representing the values they hold dear. 

Nobody supports Muslims like other Muslims. 

By being yourself, you’ll naturally attract an audience that values your work and your message.

Your Journey is Between You and Allah

As a Muslim entrepreneur, it’s essential to remember that your ultimate accountability is to Allah, not to your peers, not to society, and not even to your clients.

At the end of the day, it’s about you and Allah.

Every decision you make in your business, every step you take, and every obstacle you face is an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with Him.

It’s easy to get caught up in what others think of you.

Maybe you’re worried about being judged for running a modest business in an industry that thrives on flashiness.

Maybe you feel self-conscious about taking prayer breaks or avoiding unethical practices that seem “normal” in your field.

But here’s the reality:

no matter what you do, people will always have opinions.

What truly matters is whether your actions are pleasing to Allah.

The Qur’an reminds us:

“So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.” (Surah Al-Imran, 3:175)

This verse is a powerful reminder to prioritize Allah’s approval over the opinions of others.

When you let go of the fear of judgment from people and focus solely on pleasing Allah, you’ll find a sense of freedom and confidence that no one can take away.

If you’re Muslim, stop using music in your posts. 

Remove it from your life completely. 

I know it’s difficult, but watch how your life changes for the better.
Your business can grow without music. 

Your audience will connect with you in more meaningful ways. And most importantly, you’ll be building something that is blessed.

The world will tell you that you need to conform. That you need to do what everyone else is doing. But the truth is, the most successful people are the ones who dare to do things differently.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said

“Whoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better.” (Ahmad)