Left his forbidden job as chef and has not found another job yet
25-10-2005 | IslamWeb
Question:
Please I'm Muslim living in Island. I left my job 2 years ago as qualified chef because times I have to touch pork, some time I have to work in restaurant sells alcohol, until now. I do not find Halaal job, I did applied to many jobs all of them they said sorry to me. We are low in the world in not easy to find Halaal job special in Europe even the Muslim don't help each other. I did apply to work with Gulf Air Line they not answer. I did applied to Emirates Air Line they do not answer they take English and Irish rather than Muslim's, I tell you one story I went to Islamic center in Ireland asking them for training as accountant I did course with one if Irish authority I went to them with a letter said Irish authority they will paid me my wages during my training even they will cover me if anything happened to me like (insurance) they refused me did you believed that I'm shame if them, I start lose my faith I get nerves now I have 4 kids and my wife I kick my son 20 month if he dose any mistakes I start shout to my wife. I do not believe is that my benefit from Allaah. Every thing is connections with work. I'm looking for new apartment I lived in one bed room apartment. looking for bigger one most of land lord asking if I'm working or not most if them they do not accept the social welfare they asked me for a letter from work, please can you tell me what I have to do now soon as you can, even you work with Muslim they do not paid your salary easy they gives you hard time.
Answer:
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. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
Indeed you did well by abandoning working in forbidden fields like places where intoxicants and pork are sold. You have to know that it is Allaah Who provides, He owns the treasures of the heavens and the Earth as He Says (which means): {And there is not a thing but that with Us are the stores thereof.}[Quran 15:21]. So we advise you to be patient and seek permissible means to acquire your daily bread. One of these means is to fear Allaah and obey Him. Allaah Says (which means): {And whoever fears Allaah — He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect.}[Quran 65:2-3].
Moreover, one of the greatest acts of worship which helps a person to gain his means of subsistence is to be steadfast in performing the prayers at their prescribed fixed times. Allaah Says (which means): {And enjoin As-Salât (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them [i.e. the Salât (prayers)]. We ask not of you a provision (i.e. to give Us something: money, etc.); We provide for you. And the good end (i.e.
Nonetheless, if you have no means of sustenance, are unable to find a permissible work and you have no other alternative, while fearing harm on you and your family, or you experience a difficulty that is unbearable, then it is permissible for you to do a forbidden work according to the necessity, and the necessity is valued according to its proper value. When you will be no longer in necessity, then the principle is to be applied again, which is that it is forbidden to do a forbidden work.
Finally, the following matters should be mentioned:
1- The dearest thing that a person possesses is his religion. So, one should not be negligent about his religion on the expense of a worldly temporary benefit. Allaah Says (which means): {Nay, you prefer the life of this world, Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.}[Quran 87: 16-17].
2- Allaah's Provision is not restricted to a given country, Allaah's land is vast. If one does not find any means of subsistence in one country, it might be that he will find them in another country. The reality proves this.
3- Residing in a non-Muslim country is a reason of being afflicted. So it is forbidden for a Muslim to reside in a non-Muslim country except for a dire necessity or a permissible need.
Allaah Knows best.