Studying in USA, working around forbidden things, and relations with father
20-4-2002 | IslamWeb
Question:
1) I went to USA for study, but they told me that is forbidden to live in a non-Muslim country and it's forbidden to work in places when there is, for example, pork or other forbidden things even though no other Halal jobs exist. As you know, its difficult to find a job there.2) My father makes a lot of differences between his sons and its difficult for me to support that. So, if I stop talking to him because of that, am I right or not? They say that his other woman makes against him what is called Sihr and he was not like this before. Actually he is totally changed and he even thinks of only my brothers from the other woman. Till now I refuse to do any thing which can hurt him and I'll never do anything, Insha Allah against him, but his new behavior hurts not only me but my mother and my little brother. So the only thing that I can do at this time is to pray Allah for him.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
1) For rulings concerning residence in non-Muslim countries, please read our Fatwa 81642.
2) As for working in places where pork (or some prohibited thing) is sold, it is better to avoid working in such a place even if you do not have direct relation in selling or serving what is unlawful. But, if you have direct relation in selling or serving some unlawful products, then it is forbidden to do that since such a work is a form of co-operation in sin and transgression.
Allah Says (what measns): {…but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.} [Quran 5:2].
So, if you fear Allah and obey His Orders and pray to Him to grant you some lawful work; Allah will make it easy for you to have better work.
Allah Says (what means): {… And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. …} [Quran 65:2-3].
Know that it is strictly forbidden to disobey your father as long as he does not ask you to disobey Allah; it is also forbidden to desert or cause harm to him. Nothing justifies your disobedience or harm to your father, even his injustice.
Know that his right is great on you; so, you have to advise him kindly and pray to Allah to guide him.
We ask Allah to grant his guidance at your hands. We have noticed your politeness and kindness in dealing with your father. We ask Allah to help keep you on such good behavior.
Allah Knows best.