Wa ‘Alaikum Salaam,

 

If you have made istikharah and Allah (swt) has guided you in a way that is not the way you had thought, then you should still be content with this because He (swt) knows better than you. Allah (swt) is the best of planners, and if He (swt) does not want you to follow this path, then He (swt) has better plans for you. It is for you to be patient for when Allah (swt) will put other opportunities on your path.

 

Its very easy to feel despair when things don’t go the way we want, and I’m sure if you think back to times gone by when you have desired to do something but things didn’t go to plan, there was always something even better waiting for you that you did not even anticipate. You would now look back to that time and say Alhamdulilah as you realise that things worked out a whole lot better than you had planned because Allah (swt) gave you something better. It is often useful when faced with a situation like you do to look back at times when similar things have happened in the past and have actually turned out well despite the test you faced with it during the moment of crisis.

 

It can be particularly frustrating in a situation like your own where it is that you see your friends seemingly moving on whilst you feel like you are left behind, but as a Muslim we should be happy for the success of our fellow brothers and sisters and wish the best for them, praying for them what you pray would happen for yourself. You can find happiness in their on happiness.

 

Also, don’t forget that life is more than just your career. There are many other aspects of life to consider, too. It maybe that they are progressing with their career, but not in other aspects where you are and they are looking to you and happy for your own situation.

 

There is nothing stopping you from continuing to strive. If this is not that you are to pursue a postgraduate programme, there are plenty of other things you can be striving towards, even if it is a hobby or some kind of other personal goal. We all need to keep striving in one way or another to keep being motivated and move forward in life. Sitting back doing nothing will not give us this drive. If nothing else, we must remain driven to increase our faith, and if sitting back from your career gives you the time and space to do so, then this is a blessing. You can use this time to increase your acts of worship, learn more about Islam, and get closer to Allah (swt).

 

May Allah (swt) bring you comfort during this time, and may He (swt) guide you to do what is best for you.

 

Salam,