5 Timeless Lessons Muslims Can Learn From The Odyssey

You may be wondering: why is IFG writing about a Greek epic?

“The word of wisdom is the lost property of the believer. Wherever he finds it, he is most worthy of it.”

Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2687

There is a reason this story has stood the test of time.

It’s not really about Greek Gods or Giants. Or at least, we’re not taking theology from it.

The Odyssey is a masterclass in human psychology.

It carries deep, timeless observations on human nature, self-sabotage and recurring cycles across mankind.

So here are some of the most striking lessons.

1. Don’t Go to War With God

In the movie, Odysseus violated sacred laws and angered the Gods. He was then guided to an island with murderous Giants.

Of course, the Greek Gods are not real, but how often has Allah destroyed nations for their transgressions?

Why, then, do we go to war with Allah by entering Riba?

Riba is just like the island: it destroys us financially and spiritually. And once you’re trapped, it’s hard to escape.

2. Don’t Eat the Lotus Flower

Avoiding your problems doesn’t shrink them. It feeds them.

In the movie, Odysseus is ashamed of his mistakes and opiates himself with the “Lotus Flower”, a pleasurable substance which makes you lazy.

The shaytan uses shame and mindless dopamine to prevent us from taking the action we need or actively contributing to society.

When given the choice between wine and milk, the Prophet (PBUH) chose milk.

As Muslims, we do not shrink away from our challenges through shame and avoidance. Instead, we seek refuge in Allah and charge forward.

3. Sometimes the Right Thing Isn’t the Easiest Thing

Faith means making hard choices for the sake of Allah.

Odysseus was forced to choose between sacrificing a few men or taking a risk that he knew would kill his whole crew.

He made the hard choice.

As Muslims, sometimes our choices are not perfect.

Halal mortgages or investments might be more expensive than their haram counterparts. It’s tempting to throw them all out.

However, by investing in them, and taking a small hit yourself, you are not only protecting yourself from sin. You are helping build this halal economy for the next generation.

4. Don’t Even Go Near the Forbidden Cattle (Obviously)

“The winds that brought us here so easily are the same ones that made it difficult to leave.”

The men were instructed not to go to this island, for eating the cattle on the island was forbidden.

They obeyed at first. But then the wind trapped them, they got hungry and they slaughtered the cattle while Odysseus was sleeping.

Their ship got wrecked and they all died.

This story also has a parallel in the Qur’an.

Salih (a.s.) was sent to Thamud with a she-camel as a sign. She had her designated share of the water, and they had theirs. The instruction was simple: do not harm her.

They hamstrung her anyway.

“So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home corpses.” (Al-A’raf 7:78; see also Hud 11:64–68 and Ash-Shams 91:11–15)

It’s not just about disrupting Allah’s balance. Don’t even give yourself the option.

• Don’t take the credit card you can’t easily clear in full every month.
• Don’t ever take money that isn’t yours or break your contracts.
• Don’t accept a job if you know they’ll make you do haram work.

Your rizq is guaranteed, so do not disrupt the balance.

5. Tie Your Camel, Then Do the Impossible

Odysseus was obsessed with knowledge. One of his dreams was to hear the Siren song, a legendary song that made people jump into the ocean.

His solution was to tie himself to the mast to help him through the suffering.

Whether it’s travelling abroad to study Islam, building your career or business, or independently going through the pains of learning a new skill, the pursuit of growth is a painful challenge.

But Odysseus did not rely on his own strength. He built a system to keep himself from going astray.

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah, all together, and do not be divided.” (Al-Imran 3:103)

• Automate your saving, zakat and investing.
• Book classes and courses.
• Actively build a circle of people that push you towards your goals.

The Odyssey is full of man’s wisdom.

But the Qur’an teaches us Allah’s wisdom.

We’ve compiled 30 lessons about money from the Qur’an, which you can download for free here.

We’ve compiled 30 lessons about money from the Qur’an, which you can download for free here.