Hello, Assalam Alaykum. I hope this finds you well and in the best of health and feelings. The first issue for this month will be an interview with Muhammad Tahir.
Could you please introduce yourself (who you are, what you do, what you're known for, etc)?
I’m Muhammad Tahir. I’m a student and a writer. Mostly working in personal finance, Islamic finance, and investment on a freelance or contract basis. Most people know me (online or on Twitter to be specific) for finance stuff. Previously a self-acclaimed minister of food and a wannabe tennis player.
Could you share what self-development looks like to you?
Self-development to me is a continuous journey. It really never ends. Basically, it is the consistent improvement of self. It doesn’t matter how small that improvement is, once you keep at it, it grows. Day-in-day out the difference might not be much but over time you find out that you’ve improved tremendously.
Do you have a system of measuring how far you've come? Personally and in your work?
I don’t. I don’t know if journaling counts. I usually try to introspect. Think of what I’ve done, what could be better, and try to improve. I write a lot so it helps add clarity to my thoughts. There is no system or structure that I can think of right now apart from that. I write my thoughts most time, the old-fashioned way— pen and paper. I used Notion to track my habits. But again, pen and paper.
Are you still studying? Undergrad/Post-grad?
Yes, undergrad final year.
How does studying factor into all the work that you do?
I am largely a curious person but I get bored easily. So studying at school is hard although it’s done to an extent. However, the work I do is greatly enjoyable: reading financial statements, and articles, listening to podcasts, writing— they’re all very fun compared.
I know a little about your background in finance, and was wondering how you got into it and what keeps you doing the work right now?
Aha, when I was in my second year, I wanted a way to make money without having to actively be involved in the process. The idea of passive income was what I was reading about at that time: books, articles, and even videos. Investing in stocks naturally came up and I started learning about that. I bought my first shares in 2017 and the journey has been great so far.
Ultimately that was how I ended up in finance. So far, I think what keeps me going apart from the obvious is that there is still a whole lot I don’t know and am keen on learning. I derive great joy from it. Also, the people I’ve worked with so far are amazing. I’m probably obsessed with the work.
What do you think a project should possess before you feel inclined to be involved? And how does that play out in those you get into regarding finances? And maybe, your investments as well?
Projects that will stretch me. I always want to learn on projects. If there are people I admire and want to work with/for, it’s a go for me as well. At the moment I try to optimize for learning, interestingness/fun, and financial upside. I want to be good at my craft so any chance to get better at it is good enough.
Do you have particular advice on attaining excellence that you think everyone has to know?
That famous quote from the three idiots, "Pursue excellence, and success will follow, pants down.” It’s hard to do so, especially when you are not seeing the results immediately but in the long run, the results are as clear as daylight.
What is your go-to financial advice for people in the 18 and ten, fifteen years higher bracket?
If you don’t understand it, don’t invest in it. If you can’t explain what you are investing in, don’t bother. Ignore compounding to your detriment— start early, start now. A little drop here and there makes the ocean full. Know that you also can’t save or invest your way out of poverty.
Be good at what you do, and people will pay whatever you charge. Zoom out of the tiny box you’ve put yourself in. In the long run, the markets go up, in the short run they go in whatever direction they want to.
What does your average day look like right now?
My average day is different when I’m in school. But I’m at home right now thanks to the ASUU strike. I wake up before 5 a.m, pray Fajr, and do my morning supplication and recitation. Go back to sleep. Wake up between past 10 and 12 depending on how early I slept the previous night. Find something to eat. Stay in bed scrolling social media.
Go for dhuhr prayer, and run errands if there are any. Read more articles. Sometimes I go back to sleep. In the evenings I work. Most times I start after dinner, well past 10 pm, and work till I’m tired which is typically around 12a.m or 1 a.m.
Shawarma or Pasta? Pasta
Cake or IceCream? Can I have both?
Ebook or Hardcopy? Hardcopy.
Hardcover or Paperback? Hardcover.
Fiction, Nonfiction, or Both? Non-fiction.
Podcasts or Newsletters? This is hard, both. I really enjoy both.