Five Pillars of Prosperity: Essentials of Faith-Based Wealth Building

Five Pillars of Prosperity: Essentials of Faith-Based Wealth Building by Dr. M. Yaqub Mirza provides readers with a balanced and sensible approach to financial planning and security. The book is unique in that it is written by a leading Muslim financial expert who draws on Islamic teachings while showing how these Islamic values are consistent with Jewish and Christian values. Though the primary audience may be American Muslims, anyone interested in financial security will find this practical guide helpful in making wise financial decisions. Dr. Mirza presents a powerful and provocative case for arranging one's life -- and the material pursuits -- in ways that not only benefit the reader but also society at large. He shows how the attainment of wealth and prosperity can be achieved by following five key activities: Earning, Saving, Investing, Spending, and Giving. The author closes with a discussion on wealth building strategies and wealth preservation. Additionally, he has provided a section of resources and an extensive bibliography for further reading. The book is rich in investment strategies and advice and though the topic is often complex Dr. Mirza's writings are clear and accessible to a general audience.

About the Author :
Dr. M. Yaqub Mirza is the president and CEO of Sterling Management Group, Inc. and Sterling Advisory Services, Inc. Sterling negotiates mergers, acquisitions and sales of various sized companies located in different parts of the world. Sterling and its affiliates have managed investments in the United States, Canada, Chile, Egypt, Malaysia, Turkey and Zimbabwe. In addition, Dr. Mirza has more than 30 years of experience in stock investments and portfolio management. He is a member and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Amana Mutual Funds, which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an open-end investment company. He also serves as Chairman of its Executive Committee and is a member of its Audit and Compliance Committee. Assets under management are nearly $3.5 billion. Dr. Mirza is a member of the Board of Directors, University Islamic Financial Corporation and is a member of the Board of Trustees, George Mason University Foundation, Inc. He also serves on the Board of numerous other companies, including several not-for-profits. Dr. Mirza holds a M.Sc. from University of Karachi (1969), a Ph.D. in Physics (1974) and M.A. in Teaching Science (1975) from the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Mirza is a United States citizen and has resided in Herndon, VA area for the past 28 years.

Review :
"This book provides great advice on the value of solid basic principles that can and should guide us in life, in our family or in our business. It is good advice whether you are Christian, Muslim, or Jewish. Dr. Mirza has put a lot of wisdom between the covers of this book." --John H. Sununu, former N.H. Governor and White House Chief of Staff under President George H. W. Bush "Dr. M. Yaqub Mirza has given us a unique work. I can think of nothing quite like it, bridging faith, economic principles, and practical wisdom. "Five Pillars to Prosperity" offers sound guidance from a Muslim perspective on the essentials of faith-based wealth building. Mirza includes Christian and Jewish sources in this practical guidebook, showing how the Abrahamic faith traditions share much in common while not overlooking distinctive traits among these three faith traditions." --John Esposito, professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University and autho of "The Future of Islam" "At a time it too often seems the only moral instruction capital is provided by Wall Street is 'go forth and multiply, ' Mirza offers an enriching alternative. It is easily read but even my mentor Sir John Templeton, the 'dean of global investing', would have appreciated it. Though a Christian in the mold of John Calvin, Sir John also avoided the debt, speculation, and other potentially harmful activities that Yaqub explains is part of Shariah law. That should reassure our increasingly financialized world that the three great Abrahamic faiths are as relevant as ever and offer the world far more unified solutions for peace and prosperity than the nightly news often implies." --Gary Moore, financial advisor, author of "Faithful Finances 101" "I loved this book! Not only does Dr. Mirza educate the reader as to the principles of Islamic investing, he illuminates the guiding principles of a religion many of us know only through the cloudy lens of recent and devastating h "This book provides great advice on the value of solid basic principles that can and should guide us in life, in our family or in our business. It is good advice whether you are Christian, Muslim, or Jewish. Yaqub Mirza has put a lot of wisdom between the covers of this book." --John H. Sununu, former N.H. Governor and White House Chief of Staff under President George H. W. Bush "I loved this book! Not only does Dr. Mirza educate the reader as to the principles of Islamic investing, he illuminates the guiding principles of a religion many of us know only through the cloudy lens of recent and devastating historical events. Because he has made accessible to his readers these principles--principles that are the essence of all religion--he has undertaken a tremendous public service." --Nancy Luque, Principal Attorney and Partner, Luque Marino LLP ""Five Pillars to Prosperity" provides practical guidance for an impractical world. The five guidelines are easy to follow and implement and can be passed on from generation to generation." --Mulham Shbeib, Vice President of Finance, Marjac Poultry "It is best to learn from those who have actually practiced what it is they are teaching. There is no finer representative of the principles in this book than Dr. Mirza. His life is a testament to the principles laid out within these pages. If you want to achieve economic well being and spiritual fulfillment read this book." --Dr. Miles K. Davis, Dean for Harry F. Byrd School of Business, Shenandoah University "Although specifically tailored to a Muslim audience, "Five Pillars to Prosperity" provides a holistic approach that I, as a Christian, found refreshing and helpful." --Dr. Douglas M. Johnston, President and Founder, International Center for Religion and Diplomacy and author of "Religion, Terror, and Error: U.S. Foreign Policy and the Challenge of Spiritual Engagement" "It is widely assumed that Shari'ah-complaint investings