Finding Your Footing in the Job Search Phase

A new job will always be a daunting and exciting experience. For fresh graduates, transitioning from an internship to a full-time, permanent role is like a leap of faith. For others, finding a job in and of itself is a challenging and arduous process, especially with evolving economic trends, the instability of companies and institutions, and the reality of a tight job market. As Muslims, our anchor, even in searching for a job, will always revolve around the reality of rizq (provision), tawakkul (trust in Allah’s plans), and ikhtiar (effort). It is the duty of a Muslim worker or professional to exert his utmost effort in searching for a job, and ultimately, leave the selection to Allah SWT. This framework will assist a person to seamlessly traverse, transition into, and accept whatever job or career path lies ahead, and to take every step, before, during and after his or her career, as a learning experience and a means to attain closeness to the Giver of the opportunity, Allah Ar-Razzaq.

In a world where jobs today have shifted from qualifications and certifications to skills and adaptability, a Muslim worker, before beginning his job search phase, is advised to diligently seek experience, voluntary or paid, and to upskill himself or herself before entering a new job. Any company, institution, or even gig job requires a person to be up to date with current advancements, processes, or even hard or soft skills that can help enhance his or her chances of success in the chosen career path. Though this is not the sole reason for a good career, as Allah is the One who ultimately plans and opens a path, doing so reflects a level of itqan (excellence) and ikhtiar (effort) on the part of the Muslim worker, and may indeed increase the likelihood of better job offers in the individual’s career trajectory. This form of effort is a testament to the identity of a true Muslim, who would try his or her best to do the utmost, as mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet SAW:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُحِبُّ إِذَا عَمِلَ أَحَدُكُمْ عَمَلًا أَنْ يُتْقِنَهُ

“Allah loves to see His servant who does a job with itqan (meticulously).”

When navigating the selection process, the Muslim worker should engage in istikharah (the prayer of guidance-seeking) and istisharah (consultation). This is what sets us apart from others: that Allah SWT is always part of the process, following the practice of the Prophet SAW. In a hadith, the Prophet SAW said:

عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالْأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ لِيَقُلْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ

Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When one of you has a matter of concern, let him perform two cycles of prayer besides the obligatory prayers. Then, let him say, ‘O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge and power from Your might, and I ask You from Your tremendous favour. Verily, You have power and I do not have power, and You know and I do not know. You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if You know this matter is good for my religion, my livelihood, and my fate, or if it is better for my present and latter needs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it. But if You know this matter is evil for my religion, my livelihood, and my fate, or if it is worse for my present and latter needs, then divert it from me, keep me away from it, decree what is good for me, and then make me content with it.’ Then, let him mention his need.”

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1166

The act of istikharah is asking Allah SWT to help you make the best choice, based on the efforts and options you have chosen for yourself. This was the practice of the Sahabah and the scholars, who would pray istikharah for even the smallest and largest of affairs. Similarly, this should be the practice for Muslim graduates or workers seeking a job that would bring them blessings.

The other aspect after istikharah is to do istisharah, also known as the act of consulting. Allah SWT does not use the word istisharah in the Qur’an, but uses the related word ‘syura’ in Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 159:

فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ

“So pardon them, and ask (Allah’s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs.”

This verse reflects the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW, where even as a prophet, he would consult his companions and those around him on significant matters. He consulted Khadijah RA upon receiving the first revelation, and consulted his companions on battle strategies, such as the placement of camps or how to intercept the enemy, during the Battle of Badr. Putting this Sunnah into practice, a Muslim looking into any particular career or job should seek advice from experienced, learned and wise individuals to narrow down his or her choices or gather information and resources about the job. This includes approaching parents (if they have experience in the field), family members, and professionals or institutions that can help with the transition or with finding an opportunity in companies or sectors related to a chosen career path. In Singapore specifically, career fairs, career counselling, and career-matching services such as e2i and WSG Singapore can also be considered a form of istisharah in today’s context. Muslims should not shy away from such initiatives, and should take the steps to find the best career or opportunities through this route.

The next dilemma for the Muslim worker is finding the ‘right’ career, one that suits the values and beliefs of a true mukmin. This is where the meticulous and honest work comes in. Before browsing job portals, a Muslim must be specific about his or her non-negotiables: flexibility for prayer times, easy access to halal food, a role that does not revolve around alcohol-heavy client entertainment, or a schedule that leaves room for community commitments. Write these down honestly, so that they become a filter from the start, rather than something negotiated later out of desperation. This, too, is part of the ikhtiar (effort) process.

It also helps to separate the industry from the role. Many Muslim youths avoid entire sectors, such as finance, F&B, and hospitality, assuming these to be incompatible with their values, when often it is a specific function within that industry that is the core issue, not the whole field. Someone in risk compliance at a bank is not handling interest-based products in the same way a relationship manager selling loans might. Examine closely what a role actually involves day to day before dismissing an entire industry. Once consultation has been done and there is confidence that the role fits the individual’s passion, personality and deen, leaving the rest to Allah is what comes next.

It must also be understood that alignment is not simply about finding a “perfect” Islamic workplace, because that rarely exists in a secular, multiracial economy like Singapore’s. It means finding a role where one can practise one’s deen with dignity, even as the only Muslim on the team, rather than searching for a workplace that mirrors one’s beliefs entirely, which is rarely a realistic expectation.

After istikharah, istisharah, ikhtiar, and aligning one’s options with the deen, the time comes to make as much du’a as possible, so that Allah places one in a role that allows one to practise the faith, excel in the workplace, and learn and grow in the job. While a flawless career never exists, making du’a to Allah SWT for the best option possible is a sign of tawakkul and a hallmark of faith, as supplicating to Allah for the best is a level of trust only true believers can emulate.

If a good offer comes an individual’s way, gratitude should ensue, along with a realignment of intentions when embarking on the career.

Lastly, it is incumbent upon the Muslim worker to be constantly reminded to chase the Hereafter as the final outcome and fruit of a career. In a competitive environment like Singapore, it is easy to feel pressured into chasing prestige, a high-paying salary, or whatever looks good on paper. Choosing a deen-sustainable career does not only entail a workplace that allows leeway for worship and the practice of our faith, but also how this is internalised in the heart, where the job is done for the sake of Allah SWT and not for worldly matters and ephemeral gain.