I work 12 hours a day in the West, in a market. Before this, I did not work because I am practising. Ever since I started working on this job, I feel that my faith decreases. Now I am considering to quit, but my mum wants me to work. I am also planing to get married. I feel like the combination of marriage and work might distract me even more from the deen (religion). I cannot handle too many distractions. I prefer to be alone most of the time as people hardly remind me of what is important, which is the hereafter. I feel like life is too short to be working 12 hours per day and I fear being too preoccupied with these things till death approaches. Please advise me if I am wrong. How should I approach this?

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.

There is no doubt that too many life preoccupations make one forget the Hereafter; this leads to heedlessness, affects one’s religion and weakens one’s faith. It is for this reason that a Muslim should find a balance between his worldly needs and the matters of worship, and the latter are essential; Allaah says (what means): {But seek, through that which Allaah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allaah has done good to you.} [Quran 28:77]

Besides, the Prophet said, “Your Lord has a right upon you, your own self has a right upon you, and your family has a right upon you, so give everyone his right.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

It is in the light of this that life becomes good and in the best state of affairs, otherwise life will be disrupted.

On the other hand, working in order to gain money is indispensable, so you should work in a manner that fulfills your needs. However, it should be a job that does not preoccupy you from your religion and your afterlife. By doing so, you will combine both benefits: you please your Lord and at the same time achieve what your mother desires of you.

If we assume that your mother wants you to work even at the expense of your religion, then you are not obliged to obey her in this, because obedience is only an obligation in what is permissible and reasonable; what may harm her children is neither permissible nor reasonable.

For more benefit on the limits of obedience to parents, please refer to fatwa 131695.

Allaah knows best.