15/01/2025
BALANCING THE DEEN AND CAREER: A CALL TO THE NIGERIAN MUSLIM YOUTH
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Yā ayyuhā ash-shabābu al-muslimūn!
Oh, Muslim Youth!
Dear brothers and sisters, Allah knows this is coming from the depth of my heart!
It is a conversation I hope will leave you reflecting, not just for a moment, but for the rest of your lives.
Picture a young, bright student, full of ambition and hope. He has dreams of becoming a doctor, an engineer, or an expert in communication, someone who would not only support his family but also contribute to the growth of the ummah.
One day, he is introduced to the beauty of Islam in its pristine form. He attends lectures, hears powerful words, and his heart is moved. His love for Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) grows.
This is beautiful, no doubt.
But then, slowly, without realizing it, his priorities begin to shift.
He starts skipping classes, neglecting assignments, and eventually abandoning his studies altogether.
Why?
Because he has convinced himself, or someone has convinced him that his only path to piety is through abandoning worldly pursuits and dedicating himself solely to religious studies.
He begins spending more time in circles of discussions, hopping from one scholar to another, sometimes falling under the influence of individuals whose motives are questionable.
Initially, it feels right. He feels spiritual, devoted, and close to Allah.
But as the years pass, reality begins to set in.
He finds himself without a degree, without a profession, and without the means to provide for his family.
His peers, the ones he started school with, are now respected professionals doctors, engineers, and business owners, using their careers to support Islam and help others.
Meanwhile, he struggles to make ends meet, relying on others for financial support.
How will this young man feed his family?
How will he pay for his children’s education?
How will he contribute meaningfully to the Muslim community?
These questions are not hypothetical. They are the painful realities of many young people who, out of youthful exuberance, abandoned their education for a path they did not fully understand.
My dear brothers and sisters, Allah sees my heart, and He knows that I am not speaking against seeking Islamic knowledge.
Far from it.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ
"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Sunan Ibn Majah, 224).
But this knowledge must be sought with wisdom and balance.
Islam is a lifelong journey.
You don’t need to abandon your career to learn your religion.
You don’t need to drop out of school to prove your love for Allah.
Islam teaches moderation in everything we do.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
إِنَّ الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ، وَلَنْ يُشَادَّ الدِّينَ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا غَلَبَهُ
"Indeed, the religion is easy, and no one overburdens himself in the religion except that it will overcome him." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 39).
Let me tell you what happens when you allow yourself to be misled.
There are individuals out there who will capture your youthful energy and zeal.
They will draw you into their groups and feed you with trivial issues, distracting you from the bigger picture of Islam. These individuals are not sincere in their intentions.
They focus on creating divisions among Muslims, dragging young minds into unnecessary disputes, and turning them against other scholars.
By the time you realize the damage they have done, it may be too late.
You will have missed your chance to become the doctor who saves lives, the engineer who builds infrastructure for the ummah, or the financial expert who helps Muslims manage wealth in halal ways.
Instead, you may find yourself stuck, with no skills to support your family or contribute to society.
How will you explain this to your parents, who sacrificed so much for your education?
How will you feel when you see your peers thriving while you are struggling to survive?
My dear youth, listen to me.
There is a better way.
You can pursue your career and still learn your religion.
Allocate time for Islamic studies without compromising your education.
Surround yourself with sincere scholars who guide you towards balance and wisdom.
Remember, Islam is a comprehensive way of life. It is not limited to the mosque or the classroom.
It extends to the hospital, the office, and the marketplace.
Always consult your parents. Even if you think they are not knowledgeable in Islam, their experience and wisdom are invaluable.
Keep them informed about your activities and seek their advice. Never hide things from them.
And most importantly, always make du’a for Allah’s guidance.
The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us to pray:
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي
"O Allah, guide me and make me steadfast." (Sahih Muslim, 2725).
My dear brothers and sisters, you are the future of the ummah.
We need Muslim doctors, engineers, teachers, and professionals who are strong in their faith and grounded in their knowledge.
Let us not waste the brilliance of today’s youth on fleeting emotions or misguided zeal. Let us build a generation of balanced, successful Muslims who contribute to the deen with their skills and knowledge.
May Allah guide you, protect you, and grant you success in both this world and the Hereafter. آمين.
N:B
I beg of you to share this with our secondary school students, teenagers and young mind striving on the path to serve Allah in his/her utmost desire.
- Abdullah Davies
