Most of the universities and medical colleges are not free from mixing.So should I stop studying entirely because of that knowing that education is very important as I don’t know in future, I may need skills to get a job. In case of job sectors situation is same as finding a job free from mixing is very tough. Is it my responsibility to make sure that wherever I go should be free from mixing because not everything is not my hand but life has its own need.
If my old parents need my support especially financial support. Should I not work for them as they have taken care of me since my childhood. the requirements that scholars say and reality is very different and they only say but cannot give us any realistic or alternative solution. I have heard scholars saying that I cannot live in non-Muslim country but if I go back to my country nobody will offer me any job, I have to entirely rely on my savings is it a good idea. I came here in non-Muslim country because my father was sick and doctors of my country did wrong treatment now, he if I go back to my country that would intentionally putting his life on risk and in my country, treatment are costly and not free if I have to treat him there I have to sell all my properties….is it a good idea to do that?
I cannot take loan for treatment because that involves riba and I heard from a scholar saying that I cannot even treat myself from haram means even if my life is in danger now you tell me what should I do as a helpless person where I cannot do anything.
I cannot work in a mixed culture I cannot live in a non-Muslim country I cannot help my parents I cannot go outside. How should I get out of depression where I try find solution but solution is none.
Answer
In this counseling answer:
- In the West, mixed work and study settings are the norm, so finding something that is strictly halal can be quite a challenge.
- With recent advances in technology, there are plenty more opportunities and options available, both for work and studies.
- Make sure to maintain healthy social connections with sisters in your local community so that you can also keep a healthy face-to-face social life too.
Wa alaikum salaam wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuh sister,
Your dilemma is one that is very common to us sisters living in the West.
Mixed work and study settings are the norm, so finding something that is strictly halal can be quite a challenge.
I understand that for you, as for many sisters, living in the West is not something that is easy to get away from, especially when you have important connections and commitments there, such as family, especially parents who you are responsible for caring for, as is the case in your case.
Of course, the other option could be to get a loan, as you suggest, but as you also rightly conclude, this also deals in some form of Haram, in this case riba.
So what do you do, when all your available options seem to lead to haram and you are left unable to fulfil your needs and responsibilities?
This will inevitably lead you to feeling the distress and depression.
However, there are a few solutions to consider.
Online Options
With recent advances in technology, there are plenty more opportunities and options available that would help you to avoid some of the things that make fulfilling your needs more difficult.
As for studying, there are so many online courses available now.
Its even possible to complete professional courses online up to a high level.
Online study allows for greater flexibility while reducing the interaction required between students as well as with their teachers.
Similarly, at work.Following COVID in particular, a lot more jobs are now available online or in a work-from-home capacity.
So again, with such opportunities, you have options to earn money without even entering a mixed environment.
A lot of sisters even endeavor to create their own online businesses, which allows for even greater flexibility and the opportunity to work in the field of your choice, doing something even closer to your heart as your own boss.
Seek Scholarly Advice
So, as you can see, whilst you are seemingly in a tricky situation with no apparent solution, there are also other options that are worth looking into where you can fulfil your needs whilst remaining within the boundaries of whay is acceptable Islamically.
Alhamdulilah, this should allow you to remain firm in taking your religion seriously as you have been.
Of course, if in doubt about any new opportunities you may look into, do seek scholarly advice to be sure that what you are about to pursue is acceptable from an Islamic perspective.
Maintain Connections
On another point, do also ensure that, whilst your work and study may be possible in this alternative format, it can be quite lonely and isolating, so make sure to maintain healthy social connections with sisters in your local community so that you can also keep a healthy face-to-face social life too.
This will help in managing and buffering any psychological distress you have been going through.
May Allah reward you for seeking to live for the pleasure of Allah and being conscious of your actions in a way that will please Allah.
May Allah continue to guide you on the straight path, steadfast in your deen.
More from Sr. Hannah:
- Divorced New Muslim: Feeling Lonely in a Non-Muslim Land
- Feeling Depressed & Traumatized; What Shall I Do?
- Heal your Heart with Sr. Hannah’s Advice
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DISCLAIMER
Views expressed by hosts/guests on this program (live dialogue, Facebook sessions, etc.) are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.