Searching for the Destination
There comes a stage in the life of a young person when they have to step into practical life. To this end, some young Islamic brothers already decide their goal through deep thought and consultation. They then follow the path that leads to that goal. This is called searching for a destination or career planning. Such young people are often successful in reaching their goal. However, some young people do not bother to think about this. Consequently, they are unable to choose their destination. Then, when they have to enter adult life, they become very worried, wondering, "What should we do? Where should we go?"
When the mercy of Allah Almighty is with us, career planning can save us from many worries. In this regard, it will be useful to act upon a few points:
First point:
It is very important to decide on a goal or a field. For example, do you want to work in the field of computers or printing? It is detrimental to think, "There are so many occupations in the world, I will just do anything." How is this detrimental? To understand this, read a story: A man was carrying four rabbits. At one point, all four rabbits escaped from his hand and each rabbit ran in a different direction. First, the man ran to catch the rabbit running to the right, but he soon got tired and came back. Then, he thought and ran after the rabbit going in the opposite direction to try and catch it, but he failed there too. Then he went after the rabbit going forward, but he soon returned, exhausted. The same thing happened with the fourth rabbit.
While he was standing there panting, a wise man passed by. When he was asked what happened, he explained everything. The wise man said, "If you had spent your energy on catching just one rabbit, you would have succeeded, but you spent a bit of your strength on trying to catch each of the four, and you did not get a single rabbit." So, my dear Islamic brothers! If we decide our destination, we will find the path. Then, if we fulfill the requirements of walking on that path, اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه we will reach our destination.
Second point:
While deciding your destination, do not look only at your desires—thinking that working in a certain field will bring comfort, respect, and luxury, and that you will live a life of pleasure. Instead, also check whether that work is permissible according to Shariah or not.
Third point:
Check whether you possess the skills required to work in that field. Following this, it is also necessary to polish those skills. A fish's place is in the water and a bird's place is in the air. If you make a wrong evaluation regarding your abilities, then forget about success.
Fourth point:
Sometimes a person has the ability to work in more than one field. For example, a person might be able to teach, write books, do business, or have a job. In such a case, find your passion—which of these tasks can you do without feeling tired or bored, and in which task do you lose track of time? Now, choose the work that you can do with passion.
Fifth point:
For the destination you have chosen for yourself, also check if there are opportunities to work in that field. For example, if you think, "I will work in the field of translating Urdu to Persian," then how many people in our country know Persian? Also, how many among them will want to have an Urdu text translated into Persian and then choose you to do it?
Sixth point:
If your parents have already thought of something for you, such as becoming a doctor or an engineer, then consider it. If your inclination can fulfill their wish, then definitely do it. However, if they are determined to make you a doctor and you do not understand medicine at all, and instead you possess an inclination toward becoming an architect, then gather courage and politely convince them. Search for your destination under the shade of their prayers.
Seventh point:
It is very useful to consult experienced and wise people who are already working in the field you intend to choose. In this way, many unknown matters will come to light.
Eighth point:
A person with a strong will and single-minded focus only stops once they reach their destination. If you avoid hard work and effort, do not polish your skills according to the field you want to work in, remain lazy, or keep taking "U-turns" (thinking one thing today and something else tomorrow), then you will keep moving in a circle.
The final and most important point:
There is one "tomorrow" that will come after today; everyone thinks about that, but there is another "tomorrow" that will come after leaving this world, which is called the Hereafter. Think about improving that as well. May Allah Almighty make both our "tomorrows" better.
اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم
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