The Compelling Story of the Wealthy Islamic Farmer

By Lois Tuffin

If you’ve read The Wealthy Barber, you’ve seen the power of storytelling in explaining complex ideas. Before reading David Chilton’s guide to personal finance as a newlywed, I had not thought through the implications of my decisions about money at that stage of my life.

Never in my life did I expect to be writing a book just like it.

Flash forward to 2020 and a request from a client to produce a narrative that explained the concepts of Islamic banking. Via video meetings. In vastly different timelines. For a fellow who struggled to explain his ideas clearly in English.

Ever the keener, I said “Yes.” And I am so glad I did.

Creating the banker's persona

The client had all the banking jargon organized in files that matched his chapter outline. He provided a basic scenario and left the characters and the plotline up to me. I invented a young farmer, a veteran banker, a skeptical investor, and a few sick cows. The young man struggled to carry on his father’s legacy as the economy and agricultural landscape shifted.

Even though it was focused on finances, the story struck the heart.

By the time the first draft was done, the client was thrilled. He made a few minor tweaks and proudly published it.

Then he hired me for a second job. It was less fun but challenging in a different way as we produced a textbook about building an export business out of Saudi Arabia.

Both projects boosted my knowledge and confidence. I have been fortunate to have clients who trust me to come back and do more work for them, whether it’s creating web content, editing another book, or generating social media posts to boost a book.

From Saeed, I learned that saying “Yes,” even when you’re a little intimidated, is the right way to go. Together, we realized his dream and created a book that he proudly shares with his clients.

And I am grateful for the inspiration from him…and from David Chilton.