He Left Google for Purpose

He Left Google for Purpose: Redefining Success Beyond the Corporate Ladder

By Fahad Siddiqi | Halal Wealth Hub Blog | Siddiqi Wealth

From Google to Growth — A Different Kind of Success

When Brother Othman AlTalib walked away from his corporate career at Google, he wasn’t running from success — he was walking toward something deeper.

After years of climbing the corporate ladder, from IBM to late-stage startups to Google during its prime, Othman had everything society told him was success: the title, the salary, the influence. But inside, something was missing.

“You start to realize you’re chasing an optical illusion — a mirage of what this world told us was success.”

For years, many of us have inherited that same vision — one passed down from parents who came to America to survive, so their children could thrive. The mission was noble, but over time, survival turned into chasing status. Education, promotions, and wealth became the scoreboard. Until one day, people like Othman look around and ask, what does any of this mean?

The Awakening: When Comfort Feels Empty

For Othman, that question became impossible to ignore after October 7th, a day that shifted his perspective on purpose, impact, and legacy.

“More money was not enough. There was an emptiness that sets in. What does my life mean right now?”

He wasn’t facing a “midlife crisis.” He was facing an awakening — the realization that success without substance is just motion without meaning. That realization led him to launch Miraj Collective, a coaching and mentorship platform for Muslim men focused on inner alignment, brotherhood, and purpose-driven success.

The Mirage of Modern Achievement

Othman describes what many high-performing Muslims experience: reaching professional milestones yet feeling spiritually disconnected.

“We’ve been told to climb the ladder, buy the house, build the resume. But we don’t talk about the emptiness that can come when that’s all you chase.”

He’s not against ambition. He’s against aimless ambition — the kind that burns through decades without reflection. Real success, he argues, isn’t about running from money, but redefining the purpose behind it.

“It’s not that we shouldn’t earn. It’s that the path looks different — and the end result is richer in every way.”

Finding Purpose in the Next Generation

What struck me most in our conversation was how his childhood foundation shaped his rediscovery of purpose.

“My mother never cared about my grades. She asked if I prayed Dhuhr at school. If I helped someone else pray. That was her report card.”

That mindset — that true value lies in presence, not performance — became his anchor later in life. When he finally told his mother he was leaving Google, her response said everything:

“It’s about time. I was waiting for when you would realize Allah has something much bigger for you.”

Now, as a father himself, Othman emphasizes modeling values over preaching them. “Kids don’t learn from what we say. They learn from what we prioritize. If work always comes first, they’ll grow up believing that’s what matters most.”

Surround Yourself with the Right Circle

One of the most practical lessons Othman shared is about environment — the power of proximity.

“You’re the average of the five people closest to you. If they don’t inspire you to grow, you need a new circle.”

For young professionals, that means finding sohbah — sincere companionship rooted in growth. The right people won’t just hold you accountable; they’ll pull you upward.

And for seasoned professionals, it means evaluating whether your success is bringing you closer to peace — or just closer to exhaustion.

The Corporate Mirage and the Call to Build Differently

Othman’s story isn’t about abandoning the system — it’s about building a better one.

His admiration for organizations like Ikhlas Insurance Group reflects that vision: Muslim-led, values-driven, and unapologetically excellent in business.

“We need to build highly successful, highly scalable businesses that are rooted in the right foundations — where we put people and purpose before profit.”

At Siddiqi Wealth, we share that vision. Wealth isn’t the enemy — disconnection is. The goal is not to reject ambition, but to align it with impact.

Three Takeaways for the Modern Professional

1. Define Your Why Early
   Don’t wait until you’ve “made it” to wonder what it’s all for. Purpose isn’t found at the end of success — it’s the foundation of it.

2. Curate Your Circle
   Your environment will either fuel your growth or feed your distractions. Be intentional about who surrounds you.

3. Build with Substance
   Don’t just chase what works. Build what lasts. The road with meaning is often slower, but it’s the only one that leads to fulfillment.

Final Thought: Purpose Is the New Success

Othman’s journey is a reminder that in a world obsessed with speed, meaning still matters.

Leaving Google wasn’t an act of rebellion — it was an act of realignment. A declaration that the good life isn’t defined by stock options or titles, but by peace, clarity, and impact.

“When comfort becomes empty, that’s not failure — that’s your soul asking for more.”

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