Foreword
In this foreword, Mohammed Faris Author Productive Muslim and The Barakah Effect reflects on his friendship with Peter Gould and the importance of spiritually grounded design.
In a world where design often prioritises function over meaning, Peter Gould is a rare voice that calls us back to design’s spiritual essence and purpose.
I first met Peter when I was searching for a designer for ProductiveMuslim.com. I wasn’t looking for just any designer but someone who uniquely understood high-quality design and, most importantly, what it means to design with ihsaan (spiritual excellence and beauty).
What started as a client-designer relationship has evolved over the years into a unique brotherhood and friendship. Together, we share our dreams, navigate life’s highs and lows, and face the challenges of being like-hearted entrepreneurs in a hustle-driven world.
It’s very rare to find people who embody what they believe and practice what they preach in their daily lives. Peter is one of these gems. When he first shared that he was planning to write The Heart of Design, I knew this was the book the like-hearted community needed.
In an industry often disconnected from spiritual values, this book offers a path for creatives, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who want to navigate the treacherous path of making an impact while staying grounded in their values.
Through our years of friendship, I’ve witnessed two remarkable qualities in Peter that he shares in this book:
Ridaa (Contentment) - I have not met someone who embodies contentment and gratitude like Peter. Whether one of his startups has hit a wall, or a project is achieving unimaginable success, his deep sense of contentment grounds him. During our conversations, he’s the one who consistently reminds us to appreciate life’s simple blessings - a good cup of coffee, a child’s hug, or the graceful completion of a project.
Experimentation - Peter lives by his advice to “follow where your energy goes.” I’ve watched him reimagine Islamic education with young kids, launch globally popular games, dive fearlessly into emerging technologies that most of us were afraid to touch and transform traditional concepts into contemporary designs. This spirit of playfulness and childlike curiosity has not only led him to incredible projects, it’s shaped his approach to creative work.
One of Peter’s most remarkable gifts is his ability to build communities of like-hearted individuals. Drop Peter into any urban center, and within a week, you’ll find a new group forming, buzzing with discussions about spirituality, creativity, and design. This book serves as a manual for these growing communities of spiritual creatives, offering them a framework to study and practice design from the heart.
In a world obsessed with materialism and surface-level success, The Heart of Design shares much-needed advice and guidance for us all. It reminds us to design for the remembrance of God, not for distraction.
This book is essential reading not only for designers but for any entrepreneur, author, creative, or changemaker who seeks to integrate spirituality into their personal and professional lives. Whether you’re a young graduate starting your life journey or a seasoned executive seeking to reconnect with your soul, you’llfind guidance that uplifts the voice of the Divine in your heart. Take heed of the advice within these pages, and you’ll see barakah (Divine blessings) unfold in your life insha’Allah (God willing).
It teaches us to manifest God’s beautiful Names and Attributes in the world instead of contributing to the chaos and societal decay that modernity brought forth. Through practical examples and spiritual wisdom, Peter shows us how to bridge the gap between our creative work and our spiritual journey – a journey he has been exploring for more than twenty years.
I pray to God Almighty to accept this beautiful book from Peter and bless all those who read it, study it, practice it, and pass it along. Ameen.
Sincerely,
Mohammed A. Faris
Rajab 1446 AH
Exclusive Insights
The book will also feature exclusive insights from Peter’s journey, and excerpts from his conversations with scholars, entrepreneurs, academics and creative professionals who have implemented heart-centered design.
As artists it’s beautiful to make art, but the real goal of the artist on the spiritual path is that you make your life a work of art.
When a person is not grounded and doesn’t have the right compass, intention, focus and priority, you can really lose your way.
I’ve seen how people transform when they start to do something they love.
We’re trying to ensure that there is Ihsan (excellence) in everything we do. Whether it’s the product, how we interact with our customers, the website, our social media, our blog, everything.
That's what spirituality is. Spirituality is connecting into the essence of something.
There can be Barakah in anything – especially if that thing brings you back closer to the divine in some way. If it puts you into a spiritual mode, there’s Barakah there.
That's kind of what spirituality is. It's another level of information to connect you to your purpose of life, through the lens of design.
You have to combine a kind of sanguinity in business with a deep faith that your provision is not coming from the business - it’s coming from God.
If we don't recognize the speed of society and don't design for the place people are … we'll lose them.
Young people especially should ask themselves what kind of business do they want to do that can bless as many people as possible? What does that look like?
We, as human beings, are designed for Haq. We’re designed for truth, and we’re designed for coherence.
As artists it’s beautiful to make art, but the real goal of the artist on the spiritual path is that you make your life a work of art.
When a person is not grounded and doesn’t have the right compass, intention, focus and priority, you can really lose your way.
I’ve seen how people transform when they start to do something they love.
We’re trying to ensure that there is Ihsan (excellence) in everything we do. Whether it’s the product, how we interact with our customers, the website, our social media, our blog, everything.
That's what spirituality is. Spirituality is connecting into the essence of something.
There can be Barakah in anything – especially if that thing brings you back closer to the divine in some way. If it puts you into a spiritual mode, there’s Barakah there.
That's kind of what spirituality is. It's another level of information to connect you to your purpose of life, through the lens of design.
You have to combine a kind of sanguinity in business with a deep faith that your provision is not coming from the business - it’s coming from God.
If we don't recognize the speed of society and don't design for the place people are … we'll lose them.
Young people especially should ask themselves what kind of business do they want to do that can bless as many people as possible? What does that look like?
We, as human beings, are designed for Haq. We’re designed for truth, and we’re designed for coherence.
Book Preview
Peter’s Story
Discover the intention and inspiration behind The Heart of Design, and how Peter aims to empower a new wave of creatively confident and talented Muslims.
Foreword
In this foreword, Mohammed Faris Author Productive Muslim and The Barakah Effect reflects on his friendship with Peter Gould and the importance of spiritually grounded design.
The Heart of Design Book Now Available
Explore a transformative guide to aligning your creativity, career, and faith. Join a global movement of designers and entrepreneurs shaping the future with intention and excellence.