What Are the Most Important Professions for Muslims Today?

Answered by Shaykh Bassem Itani

Question

What are the most important professions and fields of work for Muslims in this era?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions.

Fard Kifaya and Professions

The most important professions and fields of work for Muslims in this era are determined by a legal principle known as fard kifaya (collective obligation). This means that if some members of the community fulfill these obligations, it lifts the burden from the rest.

For example, tasks like washing and shrouding the deceased, or performing the funeral prayer are fard kifaya. Scholars derived this concept from the verse:

“(However,) it is not necessary for the believers to march forth all at once. Only a party from each group should march forth, leaving the rest to gain religious knowledge then enlighten their people when they return to them, so that they (too) may beware (of evil).” [Quran, 9:122]

This verse shows that only a portion of the community, not every individual, is required to gain deep knowledge of religion. The nation needs a specialized group to perform this duty.

Professions and fields of work that the Muslim Umma urgently needs fall under fard kifaya. If some do not undertake these roles, the entire community is considered sinful. However, if a sufficient number do, the obligation is lifted. These obligations evolve based on the community’s needs, such as the fields of medicine, engineering, industry, and others.

Categories of Earning

In the past, professions and fields of work were simpler, such as agriculture, craftsmanship, and trade. Classical scholars discussed professions under the topic of “earning a living” (kasb). Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan al-Shaybani, a student of Imam Abu Hanifa, authored a book titled “al-Kasb,” which discusses the pursuit of livelihood and striving to acquire it. They also addressed professions in books on what is lawful and unlawful, categorizing professions accordingly.

For someone seeking to earn a livelihood, it is necessary to choose a profession, trade, or job. Some forms of earning a living are obligatory on the individual, such as earning enough to sustain oneself and one’s family and to repay debts. Others are recommended, such as earning more to support the needy or help relatives. There are also permissible earnings, such as earning more for personal comfort and luxury. However, there are discouraged earnings, such as accumulating wealth solely for pride, boasting, or showing off, even if it is through lawful means. Lastly, there are prohibited earnings, such as trading in forbidden items like carrion, alcohol, and pork. [See: Mawsili, al-Ikhtiyar]

Modern Professions

In our modern era, the rapid advancement of technology has impacted existing professions and introduced new fields of work, while others have disappeared. We even see predictions of future jobs that do not yet exist. Therefore, identifying the most important professions for Muslims should be guided by the needs of Islamic countries, as they are best positioned to understand the evolving needs of their societies.

These nations should direct their people to pursue careers that will meet these needs and contribute to the development and organization of their communities. Specialized institutions can also help highlight the most critical fields of work and direct individuals accordingly.

And Allah knows best, and He is the source of all success.

[Shaykh] Bassem Itani

Shaykh Dr. Bassem Itani

Shaykh Dr. Bassem Hussayn Itani was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1965. He earned his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies in 2005. Among his mentors were Shaykh Muhammad Taha Sukkar, Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, Shaykh Mulla Abdul ‘Alim al-Zinki, Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Abdul Razzaq al-Halabi, Shaykh Dr. Mustafa Dib al-Bugha, Shaykh Dr. Wahba al-Zuhayli, Dr. Muhammad al-Zuhayli, and others, may Allah have mercy on them all.

Shaykh Itani has a rich background in both academic and administrative fields. He has held significant positions in many governmental and non-governmental institutions in Lebanon and abroad. This includes his role as a member of the Academic Committee at SeekersGuidance and a senior teacher with the free online global seminary.

From 2020 to 2021, he served as the Dean of the College of Da‘wa – University for Islamic Studies (Lebanon) – Postgraduate Studies. He was the Director of Dar Iqra for Islamic Sciences from 1998 to 2018. Shaykh Itani is a well-versed teacher in several academic subjects, including Fiqh, Usul, Aqida, and Tafsir. He has supervised and examined numerous Master’s and Doctoral theses at various universities and colleges in Lebanon.

His contributions to Islamic sciences are also evident in his writings and research. His notable works include “The Relied-upon Statements of Imam Zufar in the Hanafi School,” “Collective Ijtihad: The Sublimity of Thought in the 21st Century,” and “Custom and its Impact in Islamic Jurisprudence.” Shaykh Itani has actively participated in numerous scientific conferences and seminars, both in Lebanon and internationally. He is linguistically adept, excelling in Arabic, proficient in French, and comfortably conversant in English.