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What is the ruling on my current job, which I took after performing Istikhara, and is working for this entity considered unlawful (haram), and am I obligated to leave it and return to my country?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The believer is afflicted in this world with illness, poverty, and difficulties in affairs, so he must be patient and endure. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Wondrous is the affair of the believer, for there is good in all his affairs... if prosperity overtakes him, he thanks God and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures patiently and that is good for him."

Istikhara (seeking guidance from God) is legislated for matters that are unclear. If, after performing Istikhara, it becomes clear that the work is forbidden, such as working in usurious banks or selling alcohol, then it must be abandoned, for "And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out And will provide for him from where he does not expect" [Al-Talaq: 2-3], and "Whoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better than it." One must seek lawful employment. Asking for help is permitted only in cases of extreme necessity due to need and destitution, while striving to seek lawful sustenance.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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