In 2025, Muslim women entrepreneurs are making tremendous strides, breaking prejudices and developing profitable firms in a variety of industries. These women not only drive economic progress, but also serve as role models for future generations via their resilience, inventiveness, and dedication to their faith and principles. 

In the modern era of entrepreneurship, Muslim women have emerged as dynamic leaders and innovators, breaking down obstacles and redefining sectors with their vision and tenacity.

In fact, Stories of Successful and Influential Muslim Women in business may be traced back to the period of Khadijah (RA), the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) beloved wife, who was a successful businesswoman and prominent figure in early Islamic history.

Muslim Women Empowerment in Early Islam:

One of Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) most revolutionary activities was altering the role of women in society, which can be seen in the historical background of Islam. The Prophet, born into a sixth-century pagan, tribal Arab society based on patriarchy, defied conventional norms by campaigning for women's rights at a time when women were regarded as second-class citizens.

Women's rights and liberties were severely restricted in numerous countries prior to the arrival of Islam. They were regularly sidelined, granted secondary responsibilities, and denied fundamental rights that men enjoyed. Many pre-Islamic communities saw women as property, valuing them only for their ability to bear children and meet the demands of their husbands and family.

The Islamic revolution fundamentally altered this worldview. Islam granted women tremendous rights, including:

●      Independently manage their own funds.

●      Own and inherit property.

●      Decide to marry and exercise your right to divorce.

●      pursue education and intellectual advancement.

●      engage in economic activity individually.

These rights were unprecedented at a period when many civilizations denied women the ability to choose, making Islam's approach to women's emancipation truly revolutionary for its time.

Inspiring Muslim Women Role Models in Islamic History:

The Quran depicts various women as strong role models, emphasizing that moral leadership is not confined to men. Lady Maryam (Mary) and Asiya (Pharaoh's wife) are praised in the Quran as examples of faith and devotion: Asiya for her steadfastness against oppression, and Maryam for her purity and obedience to God.

Furthermore, important women such as Lady Khadijah, who gave up her fortune for Islam, and Lady Fatimah al-Zahra, a pioneer of piety and justice, serve as role models for everyone, not just women.

I find inspiration in the story of Aisha (ra), one of Prophet Muhammad's wives. She rose to prominence as a scholar, historian, and political figure, in addition to being a wife. Aisha narrated about 2,000 hadiths and was regarded as a leading Hadith expert. Her contemporaries observed that anytime they were unsure about something, they would consult her and discover that she had knowledgeable insights to share.

What's most interesting about Aisha's legacy is that, despite being at the heart of numerous early political disagreements, there isn't a single hadith among those she transmitted that blames her rivals--a monument to her honesty and intellectual dedication.

Here are some successful stories of inspiring Muslim female entrepreneurs:

1.    Asmaa Hussein (Canada):

Asmaa Hussein founded Ruqaya's Bookshelf, a publishing firm dedicated to providing Islamic and culturally appropriate children's literature. Her story underscores the value of representation and different storylines for young readers. Asmaa Hussein, author of 'A Temporary Gift', is the creator of Ruqayas Bookshelf. Looking back on her publishing adventure, she says, "I founded Ruqayas Bookshelf in 2014, and our first titles were published in 2015."

"We started with only three books: A Temporary Gift (for adults), Bismillah Soup, and Yasmine's Belly Button for children. I was testing the waters to see how they would react. I wasn't sure if I'd publish any other titles following these. But I had other book ideas, and more authors approached me about being published. So I quietly and gradually increased over the years, and we currently have 35 titles, Alhamdulillah!" 

She never pictured herself operating a publishing company when she first started at Ruqayas Bookshelf, but she feels she was guided in that direction. Ruqayas Bookshelf was founded to publish Asmaa's debut book, "A Temporary Gift," without being watered down or altered to appeal to a larger audience.

She continues, "I got interest from other publishers for this book, but one requested me to delete religious themes, and one asked me to remove all political references. This book represents my personal journey through loss, and the idea of diluting it down did not appeal to me at all. So I took matters into my own hands. I quickly learned that most of our "Muslim" information is toned down to appeal to a larger audience. I want to showcase our tales and identities without trying to appeal to a non-Muslim audience."

She tells Muslim women who are inspired by her path and want to take on the world with a wonderful idea to exclaim, 'Bismillah and Do It!' She continues, "The world needs your voices, passion, and ideas. It can be disheartening when you don't see results, but it's worthwhile to keep going regularly and sustainably if you truly believe in what you're doing."  She is one of the most famous successful Muslim Women Entrepreneurs in the world.

2.    Shahnaz Husain, Founder, Shahnaz Husain Group (India):

Shahnaz Husain is an Inspiring Muslim Women in India, who embodies tenacity and independence. She attended La Martiniere School in Lucknow and married at the youthful age of 15. Shahnaz accompanied her spouse to his work in Tehran. There, she became more interested in beauty treatments than ever before, and she decided to study cosmetology. Her desire for independence drove her to support her study by writing articles for the Iran Tribune. She collaborated with some of the world's greatest organizations, including Swarzkopf, Helena Rubinstein, Lancome, Christine Valmy, and Lean of Copenhagen. Chemical damage from beauty treatments prompted her to seek a safer, more dependable alternative.

She found Ayurveda and hasn't looked back since. Now a mother, she began her business from the comfort of her own home, with an initial investment of INR 35,000 from her father. In 1981, she was chosen Chairman of the I.T.E.C. International Beauty Congress and later represented India at the Cosmetics Fair in Brighton, United Kingdom. The sale of her products broke Selfridge's cosmetics sales record, and there was no going back. Shahnaz Husain's business has since extended to over 100 countries, including salons, spas, and shops among its numerous components. She is one of the most famous and popular Inspiring role models of Muslim Women Entrepreneurship in India.

3.    Elina, the founder of Momfunda (India):

Elina Dawoodani, originally from Mumbai, India, has a master's degree in Dietetics, Maternal and Child Nutrition. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Nutrition Science at Purdue University in Indiana, USA.

Elina founded Momfunda, a website that teaches mothers about child nutrition and food through extensive courses like "The ABCs of Feeding Right." She is also the acclaimed author of "Indian Galactagogues," a highly recommended postpartum book, especially for breastfeeding women.

Elina is a big believer in combining science with the art of baby care. Her blog posts go beyond nutrition to include a wide range of baby-related topics, offering a holistic approach based on scientific research. Her paramedical experience improves the overall effectiveness of the child-rearing process. Her website contains useful information about child nutrition, newborn facts, parenting tips, baby-wearing, cloth diapering, product reviews of new launches, and much more.

Elina is a fantastic example of how a woman can combine her passion and knowledge to build a successful profession. She beautifully combines her talent and devotion, becoming a great inspiration to others.  She is one of the most famous successful Muslim Women Entrepreneurs in India and the world.

4.    Elena, Editor of Muslim Travel Girl

Elena is an award-winning blogger and the editor of the largest Muslim travel site, 'Muslim Travel Girl'. Aside from being a travel expert, she is also the author of the DIY Umrah book. Elena came from a multicultural background and converted to Islam twelve years ago. She began her blog to inspire others to explore.

She goes on to say, "I sincerely believe that only by traveling to learn about other cultures can we build bridges of peace and eliminate misunderstandings. It is an aspect of Islam that encourages us to get to know one another and understand how Allah created the world. I strongly encourage Muslims to travel to regions they would not ordinarily visit in order to step outside of their comfort zone."

Her business journey has not been smooth. She continues, "Starting a business is not simple, especially after leaving 9 to 5 stability. You will have to struggle with yourself to overcome any of your own worries, such as imposter syndrome. Am I good enough, or do I know enough? The benefits can include not only financial gain, but also the freedom of your own time and the chance to see your children grow. You may work more, but in different ways, and feel more productive and satisfied. She is one of the most famous successful Muslim Women Entrepreneurs in the world.

5.    Rehma Hady, the proprietor of Interiors By Rehma and Henna Ink:

Rehma, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, is a successful company owner, lifestyle and DIY writer, and henna artist.

With a natural aptitude for all things artistic, she captivates her Instagram followers by sharing precise step-by-step instructions for her home renovation projects and professional initiatives, such as revamping the local Masjid's youth center. In addition to organizing one-on-one consulting calls and meeting her parenting duties, Rehma attends to the henna needs of upcoming weddings.

She decided to leave her full-time work in order to pursue a more flexible schedule and spend more time on her art and design. She openly calls herself a DIY junkie, which is well earned given her large portfolio of various projects. Her tale captures the spirit of being a Muslimah, mother, wife, and businesswoman.

It is certain that each of us may identify with some aspect of her story. This relatability resonates with the audience and gives women hope, inspiring them to feel that if Rehma can achieve her goals, so can they.

She is one of the most famous successful Muslim Women Entrepreneurs in the world.

6.    Hoda Katebi (USA):

Hoda Katebi is an influential figure in fashion, culture, and social justice. Her astute comments to Islamophobic queries in the media have received extensive notice, emphasizing her support for marginalized people. 

In addition to her journalism, Hoda founded Blue-Tin Productions, a Chicago-based fashion production co-op. She uses this project to empower immigrant and refugee women, challenge prejudices, and promote diversity in the fashion business. Hoda's personal brand, "JooJoo Azad," and her book, "Tehran Streetstyle," highlight marginalized voices while advocating for global social change.

7.    Nusrat Jahan (India): 

Nusrat Jahan, an Inspiring Muslim woman entrepreneur in India, who participated in the LedBy Shepreneur Program 2025, a business acceleration program for Muslim women entrepreneurs. Her participation demonstrates the rising support and resources accessible to Muslim Women Entrepreneurs in India. She is one of the most rising famous and popular Inspiring role models of Muslim Women Entrepreneurship in India.

8.    Lisa Vogl (USA): 

Lisa Vogl is an American woman who converted to Islam and developed the modest fashion businesses Verona Collection and Zaila Collection. Her journey exemplifies how faith and entrepreneurship can interact to empower women via fashion and style. She is one of the most famous and popular Inspiring role models of Muslim Women Entrepreneurship in the USA and the world.

9.    Shahin Hussain (UK): 

Shahin Hussain started The Mocktail Company, which specializes in non-alcoholic beverages for Muslims. This indicates the increased demand for halal-certified items, as well as the Muslim community's entrepreneurial spirit. She is one of the most famous successful and popular Inspiring role models of Muslim Women Entrepreneurship in the UK and the world.

10.   Ruda Shadab (India):

Ruha Shadab is a physician and social entrepreneur. She is a Harvard University graduate who earned her Masters degree on a full-tuition scholarship. She worked as a doctor in Delhi's low-income slums before moving on to work on systemic healthcare challenges for the Indian government.

She was raised in a Muslim household and has firsthand knowledge of the misconceptions and hardships that Muslims encounter in India. What struck her the most was the lack of Muslim leaders in the country. Young Muslim women's goals are stifled by a lack of leadership and representation, and the community is unable to break the historical shackles of disempowerment.

She started LedBy to provide professional training and mentorship to Muslim women in order to encourage the next generation of female leaders. She believes that in order to be heard, a community must first speak up.

She is one of the uprising and successful Inspiring role models of Muslim Women Entrepreneurship in India and the World.

Conclusion:

Muslim Women Entrepreneurs in 2025 are making significant strides in various industries, breaking prejudices and developing profitable businesses. These women drive economic progress and serve as role models for future generations due to their resilience, inventiveness, and dedication to their faith and principles. Influential Muslim women in business can be traced back to Khadijah, Prophet Muhammad's beloved wife, who was a successful businesswoman and prominent figure in early Islamic history.

These Inspiring Muslim Women entrepreneurs are a source of motivation for many young and old Muslim Women who aspire to do great many things in life, and thrive for success, empowerment. Women can achieve their dreams with hard work, dedication and sincere efforts and these Inspiring Muslim Women Entrepreneurs are no different, they have worked hard to achieve their dreams and goals and get success in their business.

Any one of you can be the change in your society and become a Great Inspiring Muslim Women Entrepreneur.