Should I Abandon College and Study Islam?

I am a senior in high school and about to graduate. My parents want me to attend college and get a degree, but I feel stuck. I want to move to a Muslim country and completely devote myself to Islam without distractions. But I also want to make my parents happy and provide for them.

Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for your sincerity and devotion and make it possible for you to study what you want while making your parents happy.

Discuss

You should have an open discussion with your parents and tell them how important it is to you to study your religion. It would be difficult to move to a Muslim country on your own, but it is possible if you find the right programs. I urge you to pray istikhara on the matter and look at practical options and present those options to them. If leaving is not possible, enrol in local courses, and intensives on weekends and summers, or online, and learn as much as you can while you work on your other degree.

Marry a student

Another option is to marry someone who is on the same path as you to learn Islam. This will make it easier for you to travel, you will be taken care of financially, and your parents will understand that you are pursuing the same goal as your husband, so they shouldn’t make a fuss about it.

Another option is that you take a gap year and study Islam abroad for that year so you can get a taste of what is to come. Thereafter, you can return to your college degree and make the intention to study Islam more when you are able.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.” [Tirmidhi]

Please see these links as well:

Knowledge: What, How and Why We Study

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustada] Shazia Ahmad