How New Jersey-based Ummah Labs is helping Muslims stay fit with sunnah-based halal supplements
In the bustling landscape of the fitness industry, where innovation often meets necessity, Mirsab Mirza has carved out a niche with Ummah Labs, a company dedicated to providing halal gym supplements. Based in New Jersey, USA, Ummah Labs is not just another supplement brand; it is a movement that intertwines physical strength with spiritual wellness, aimed at a global Muslim audience. In an exclusive interview, Mirsab shares his journey, the inspiration behind the company, and his vision for the future of halal fitness.
A Vision Rooted in Faith
Mirsab’s entry into the halal supplement market is deeply personal and spiritually motivated. With a background in exercise sciences and experience in retail and e-commerce, he always had a passion for health and fitness. However, it was his realisation that “chasing dunya is a bottomless pit” that led him to align his professional ambitions with his faith. Mirsab explains, “I have always tried to intertwine my dunya goals with my deen, to give them more substance. The only way to stay sane with all the craziness life has to offer is by keeping the bigger goal in mind – getting to Jannah.”
Ummah Labs was born out of this desire to contribute to the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil. Mirsab sees a growing trend where people are turning back to their faith, and his company aims to be part of this movement by promoting not only physical strength but also strength in faith. “We wanted to enter this spiritual battlefield with a brand that not only promotes physical strength but also strength in faith,” he says.
From Passion to Business: Mirsab’s Journey
Mirsab’s passion for health and fitness began in his teens when he first started exercising. This early interest led him to pursue formal education in Exercise Physiology, where he delved deeply into the science of fitness and nutrition. “I have done a lot of independent research on supplements, reading through scholarly articles regarding the effectiveness of different ingredients,” he shares.
During his studies, Mirsab earned a certification in personal training and briefly worked as a personal trainer, gaining hands-on experience in the industry he was passionate about.
However, his career path took a turn when he entered the AT&T wireless space in his mid-twenties, discovering a natural talent for sales. Mirza quickly made a name for himself in the retail business, running AT&T stores, and eventually transitioned into e-commerce, successfully selling jewellery online.
His diverse background in retail, e-commerce, and health and fitness ultimately culminated in the founding of Ummah Labs. “My retail and e-commerce business background, coupled with my acquired knowledge and passion for health, fitness, and supplementation, led me to start Ummah Labs,” Mirsab explains. This unique blend of skills and passions has positioned him to lead Ummah Labs in the competitive halal fitness market.
Innovating with Sunnah: Ummah Labs’ Unique Offering
Ummah Labs’ flagship product, Takbir, is a pre-workout supplement powered by the date fruit—a first in the industry. Mirsab is proud of this innovation, highlighting the dual focus on health and spirituality. “We offer a great pump and energy, but we also keep your overall health in mind by adding black seed, honey, and pomegranate, along with the date fruit,” he explains. These ingredients, rooted in the Sunnah, provide not only physical benefits but also carry spiritual incentives and timeless wisdom.
The use of Sunnah ingredients sets Takbir apart in a market flooded with generic supplements. “We wanted to create meaningful products, not just some generic white-labelled supplement with a basic formulation,” Mirsab emphasises. The combination of traditional ingredients with modern, study-backed components makes Ummah Labs’ offerings unique and appealing to a growing market of health-conscious Muslims.
Halal Certification: Beyond Ingredients
Ummah Labs is in the process of obtaining its halal certification through the American Halal Foundation. While pre-workout supplements generally do not contain ingredients of concern, such as gelatin, Ummah Labs’ commitment to halal extends beyond the formulation. “What’s interesting is that to be halal certified, it’s much more than just your formulation. Your logo, your packaging, your overall branding all get audited to ensure you are in compliance with Islamic law,” Mirsab notes. This holistic approach to halal certification reflects the company’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of Islamic ethics.
Upholding Ethical and Islamic Principles
Ummah Labs’ commitment to Islamic principles goes beyond halal certification. The company’s marketing practices are carefully crafted to align with Islamic teachings, ensuring modesty and integrity in all communications. Moreover, the business was founded without the use of interest-bearing loans, adhering to Islamic financial principles. “We started this with all cash earned in a halal manner,” Mirza proudly states.
Ethical sourcing and sustainability are also key considerations in Ummah Labs’ product development. By partnering with a GMP-compliant facility in the United States, Ummah Labs ensures that each ingredient is vetted and certified for purity, further reinforcing its commitment to quality and compliance.
Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities
Launching a halal supplement brand comes with its own set of challenges. One notable hurdle Ummah Labs faced was the decision to change its packaging to remove the transliteration of “Bismillah” in English, following concerns from the community about the potential disrespect of disposing of the packaging improperly. Mirsab recalls the advice he received from Mufti Farhan, a prominent scholar: “Whoever makes a change for the sake of Allah, they will be provided from sources they could never imagine.” This challenge, although unexpected, only strengthened the company’s resolve to align with Islamic values.
On the global stage, Mirsab sees immense potential for Ummah Labs. Interest from the Gulf countries, Asia, and parts of Africa suggests a growing demand for halal-certified products made in the USA. “There seems to be a demand for products made in a GMP-compliant facility, along with being halal certified. Once we get started with distribution, we will learn more,” Mirsab anticipates.
Building a Stronger Ummah
At the heart of Mirsab’s mission is the desire to contribute to the well-being of the Muslim community. Ummah Labs is not just about selling supplements; it’s about fostering a community of individuals who are strong both physically and spiritually. “Our goal is to create men and women who are not just strong physically but also in faith,” he emphasises.
To this end, Ummah Labs has already begun organising events in collaboration with various masjids, particularly in New York, USA. These events combine physical workouts with spiritual reminders from the Ulama, embodying the company’s holistic approach to health and fitness. Looking ahead, Mirsab plans to expand these initiatives globally, as well as get involved in charitable causes—all for the sake of Allah.
Looking to the Future
As Ummah Labs continues to grow, Mirsab remains focused on creating quality products that resonate with the community. His strategy is simple but powerful: “Imagine we have zero marketing dollars, and the ONLY marketing we will get is word of mouth. How do we then thoughtfully design this product, from the packaging to the formulation, in a way that once our target customer gets it, they will tell someone else?”
With several innovative products in the pipeline and plans to launch a merchandise line by the end of the year, Ummah Labs is poised to make a lasting impact on the halal fitness industry. Mirsab’s journey with Ummah Labs is a testament to the power of faith-driven entrepreneurship, where success is measured not just in profits but in the positive influence a business can have on its community and the world.
Ummah Labs is more than just a brand—it’s a call to action for Muslims around the world to strengthen their bodies and their faith, proving that the two can go hand in hand on the path to Jannah.
