I am in a situation to take a very quick decision about my job. Could you please reply asap to this Brother?? I am a professional degree holder and a HR professional who was getting 5 figure salary in UAE. Has around 7 yrs work experience. But after my divorce (2 yrs back), i quit my job and moved back to India. Though i am a God fearing girl right from the beginning, it was only after my divorce, i got more closer to Allah (SWT) and explored islam in depth. I turned to reading Quran translation, Tafsir and Islamic history for stress relief as within 3 months of my divorce, my beloved mother also passed away. After a break of nearly a year at home, i joined an Islamic Institution 1 year back to teach Islamic Studies. I compromised on my education, Recruitment Manager Designation, Honor and agreed to work here for a pay of 1/8th of what i was earning. My main intention was to work in an islamic environment and free of men mingling. Unlike UAE, Chennai has a very different poor culture. And corporate firms here would hardly allow a women to work in a office wearing full hijab/abaya the entire day at work. I have been in my hijab for past 9 yrs and it's impossible for me to go to work without full hijab. So i came down to the level of teaching toddlers upto grade 5 in this school. But my friends and few family members always criticizes/discourages me for working so hard for such a peanut salary. Actually the work environment is toooooooooo strict and extreme hard work has to be put in by the teachers 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m straight. End of the day, its too tiring. Moroever, we are highly stressed mentally most of the time due to attitude problems though we gain lot of islamic knowledge. So my family members keeps reminding me that i am wasting my time, energy, education and work experience. Though i always tell myself i am working towards Akhirah, sometimes i too get disturbed why am i struggling this much. Please let me know if i should quit or continue here.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we ask Allaah to reward you for being keen on learning the matters of your religion, for adhering to the obedience of Allaah, and for spreading His Message and educating the Muslim children and raising them in righteousness. Therefore, your teaching in this Islamic Institute is a great work, and it may be that Allaah has wished good for you by enabling you to work there. ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab narrated that the Prophet said: "If Allaah has created a servant for Paradise, he would make him do the deeds of the people of Paradise until he dies while doing the deeds of the people of Paradise, and so, he enters Paradise." [Maalik and Al-Haakim] Moreover, Anas Ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet said: ''If Allaah wishes good for His servant, He wishes him up. They asked: “How does He wish him up? He replied: He [Allaah] blesses him with success in doing good deeds before his death." [Ahmad, At- Tirmithi, and Al-Haakim]

We ask Allaah to give you a long life in the obedience of Allaah. As regards the provision, then Allaah may bless a little provision and if Allaah puts blessing in something, it becomes useful.

With regard to working in your specialty, then there is no doubt that this is something good if you find the way to do so, provided that this can be done while being able to preserve your religion, but if this will cause you to be lenient about your religion, then it is not good for you at all. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 82399.

Indeed, the religion of a Muslim is the most precious thing he has, and this is his capital; if it is lost, then this is a great loss. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet said: "Be prompt in doing good deeds (before you are overtaken) by afflictions which would be like a part of the dark night. During this period of affliction a man would be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever in the evening or he would be a believer in the evening and a disbeliever in the morning, and he would sell his faith for a worldly (temporary) benefit.” [Muslim]

The scholars said that this Hadeeth urges the people to hasten to do good deeds before a time comes when one is unable to do them and he would be unable to do them due to the occurrence of those preoccupying afflictions. Therefore, you should be steadfast on the principles of your religion and not pay any attention to those who try to discourage you and convince you to do what is harmful to you.

As regards the issue of divorce which may be the main reason for the psychological stress that you are experiencing, we say that Allaah has promised good for both divorcees; Allaah Says (what means): {But if they separate [by divorce], Allaah will enrich each [of them] from His abundance. And ever is Allaah Encompassing and Wise.} [Quran 4:130] So, have glad tidings of something good that you will get, Allaah willing, and we hope that Allaah will bless you with a better husband. Hence, you should supplicate Allaah asking Him to fulfill your wish as He responds to supplications. Allaah Says (what means): {And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me-indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.} [Quran 2:186]

Also, it is permissible for you to look for a husband and seek the help of your Muslim sisters in doing so; for more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 82471.

Finally, we advise you to seek beneficial knowledge, perform good deeds and befriend righteous Muslim women so that they would help you in doing good.

Allaah Knows best.