subject: _:node208b663ee088d55855d552c11a4556c0
obj: "Photo by Wilhelm Anderson: flickr[dot]com/photos/wilhelmja/\nRemember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. You\u2019ve got to find the treasure, so that everything you have learned along the way can make sense. Paulo Coelho\n\nCarving a career path is not about choosing something that is popular, one that everyone else seems to be doing or one that gives you the highest financial returns.\u00A0For Muslims, it is of utmost importance that we choose the right career path as it is\u00A0a decision that will affect our productivity. It also has the potential to make or break not only our worldly life but also our hereafter.\nBy choosing a profession that benefits the Ummah, our career will not only be a source of permissible income for us, but it is also a form of social productivity that brings not only the Muslim Ummah closer to Allah  but also provides opportunities for non-Muslims to come to the same path. This will benefit us in the world and our status will be elevated in the hereafter as well, In sha Allah. Indeed earning a halal income based on our own efforts is encouraged by the prophet .\nAbu Hurairah said:\u00A0\u201CThe Messenger of Allah said: \u2018if one of you were to carry a bundle of firewood on his back and sell it, that would be better than asking a man who may or may not give him something.\u201D\u2018\u00A0[Sunan an-Nasa\u2019i]\nSo how exactly do we choose a career from an Islamic perspective and a path that will benefit the Ummah? Below are some pointers that will help us to at least start thinking along the right lines and get the ball rolling in the way of Allah  and His creation.\n1. Follow Your Strengths\nWhile choosing a career, it is important that we follow our strengths. We should choose a path that is close to our hearts and one that we like. However, it is equally important that it is one that feeds off the strengths blessed upon you by Allah . All of us have our strengths and it is of utmost importance that we make an effort to identify those. This could be done through assessment activities, such as taking online questionnaires and surveys. It can also be done through self-reflection and assessing what is it that you like to do and are good at compared to your other skills and also in comparison to other individuals in society. To gain a deeper insight into the job that you are interested in, you could sign up for internships or apprenticeship programs.\nMore often than not, we would perform better at something that we naturally enjoy as opposed to something that we have to make an effort to do. The better we perform our job, the better the position we will be in to benefit the Ummah. For example, if we possess strong presentation/ communication or public speaking skills, we could consider becoming a da\u2019ee and invite people to Islam. If we have a good grasp of the Arabic language and enjoy interaction with others, we can consider taking up teaching Arabic as a vocation.\nAnd if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes).\u00A0[Qur\u2019an: Chapter 7, Verse 96]\n2. Keep it Halal & Seek the Pleasure of Allah\nIt has been seen many a times that a person chooses a career path blindly without thinking about its religious implications. There are certain careers that involve certain forbidden characteristics such as immoral behavior, corruption, bribery or interest-based transactions. Any career that would involve such characteristics would be questionable and the income of which is deemed haram by Allah .\nIn many cases, it is until after many years they realize that the money they have been earning for all these years was forbidden and they have been accumulating nothing but sins all their life. At this point, it becomes the biggest test of your life as it is something that you have invested much money and time in and for people of weaker Iman, it becomes almost impossible to go back on your actions. How is it possible to benefit the Ummah through a career which is plainly haram? How can they hope to attain any reward from it? Hence, the importance of keeping the career halal at all times.\nThe importance of seeking the pleasure of Allah  cannot be emphasized enough. While choosing a career path, always keep in mind that our aim is to gain the pleasure of Allah . Hence, we should choose a path which will enable us to remain steadfast on the teachings of Islam as detailed in the Qur\u2019an or hadith and ones which will not only enable benefit of the Ummah but you as an individual will also gain the reward for the good deeds.\nSatan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.\u00A0[Qur\u2019an: Chapter 2, Verse 268]\nFor example, we may choose to have the job of an administrator, maybe at a department level, company level or even the country level. Our aim should be the implementation of the Shariah laws both at a personal as well as societal level. When we are in a position of authority and have a say over policy making and how our organization can benefit the Ummah, then this can serve as an opportunity to implement shariah at a societal level where the tenets of the deen are preserved. Be it at the social, economical, political or the financial aspects of a set-up. Moreover, the honor, dignity, property/wealth and family can also be protected by making sure that all practices fall within the boundaries set by Allah . In this way you will ensure the maximum benefit for the Ummah as you will be enabling them to follow the rules laid out by Allah .\n3. Be an Independent Model\nSet an example for other Muslims to follow. One of the common examples of this is banking where there were always debates and confusion on whether the type of banking in place was halal or haram. As a result of this, Islamic banking was established, which ensured that the issue of interest along with others was taken care of. Similarly, many Muslim and some non-Muslim countries have come with the idea of having halal hotels where forbidden things like alcohol or non-halal meat is not served. Moreover, other activities like music and dances have been entirely eliminated to make these hotels Islam friendly. These are examples of how we can choose a path that will enable us to establish businesses based on Islamic concepts, giving you the opportunity to help the Ummah practice the religion and also help you gain lots of reward.\nIdentification of such niche areas can be carried out through picking businesses that you are interested in, followed by an analysis of the forbidden practices performed in those businesses, and an identification of how these can be removed and whether the business would still be beneficial or not. For example, if we want to open a hotel of our own, we can start by identifying that the selling/ serving of alcohol/ non-halal meat, playing of music etc. are forbidden. Then we can picture opening a hotel that is clean of such vices. Similarly, this idea is applicable to other careers as well.\nIt was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah  said:\u00A0\u201CRichness is not an abundance of worldly goods, rather richness is contentment with one\u2019s lot.\u201D\u00A0[Sunan an-Nasa\u2019i]\n4. Convert your Profession to Ibadah\nOne of the most important points to remember is that we are rewarded for whatever action we take based on our niyyah or intentions.\nNarrated \u2018Umar bin Al-Khattab : The Prophet  said, \u201CThe rewards (of deeds) are according to the intention, and everybody will get the reward for what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for Allah\u2019s and His Apostle\u2019s sake, his emigration was for Allah and His Apostle ; and whoever emigrated for worldly benefits, or to marry a woman, then his emigration was for the thing for what he emigrated for.\u201D\u00A0[Bukhari].\nThis is especially for those who have already chosen a career path and might be thinking how their careers benefit the Ummah. Some might even be thinking of what new career path they can take. But wait, you might not have to take that drastic step. Whatever you are doing, just make sure that you correct your intention. Make your intention of whatever you do for Allah  only. This action will ensure that you get reward even for the apparently worldly career path that you may have. You can do this by utilizing your expertise to help the Muslims, or the Muslim businesses. You can concentrate on community work by thinking of the advancement of Muslims in their corporate or professional careers as well and many such ways. Remember, it is never difficult to benefit the Ummah whatever your career maybe as long as it is halal. There is always a way, In sha Allah.\n5. Ask for Allah\u2019s Help and Guidance\nLast but not the least, always pray to Allah  for his help and guidance in all matters. Always pray salaatul Istikhara before taking any action so as to have the will and permission of Allah  in every action you take and In sha Allah you will be on the right path.\nAnd when they have [nearly] fulfilled their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or part with them according to acceptable terms. And bring to witness two just men from among you and establish the testimony for [the acceptance of] Allah. That is instructed to whoever should believe in Allah and the Last day. And whoever fears Allah \u2013 He will make for him a way out.\u00A0\nAnd will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah \u2013 then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. [Qur\u2019an: Chapter 65, Verses 2-3]\nMay Allah  guide us to the right path and let us fulfill our responsibilities with dignity, honor and grace. Ameen.\nDon\u2019t forget to share your comments and experience below!\n\n"@en-us