Is It Permissible to Have a Strong Desire to Become a Doctor?
Answered by Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra
Question
Is it permissible to have a strong desire to become a doctor? I am studying medicine to become a doctor and strongly desire to become one.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
Yes, it is permissible to have a strong desire to become a doctor because being a doctor is not only lawful but a very beneficial thing to become.
The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “…the most beloved of people (to Allah) are the ones who are most beneficial to other people…” [Tabarani, Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir]
So do not doubt or deny your aspirations to undertake this great career path; however, do it intending to serve Allah by serving His creation.
Only Question the Permissibility of Something When There is Reasonable Cause
Also, it would be best if you tried not to question the permissibility of apparently good and lawful things unless there is a solid religiously-countenanced reason to doubt it. Instead, we assume permissibility as the default of most things when there is no apparent religious contravention. When in doubt whether your questioning without apparent cause is reasonable or not, look at how other religious, wiser people see it. If a bonafide doubt still remains, by all means, ask. Otherwise, ignore misgivings.
[Shaykh] Abdullah Anik Misra
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1983. His family hails from India, and he was raised in the Hindu tradition. He embraced Islam in 2001 while at the University of Toronto, from where he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration. He then traveled overseas in 2005 to study the Arabic language and Islamic sciences in Tarim, Yemen, for some time, as well as Darul Uloom in Trinidad, West Indies. He spent 12 years in Amman, Jordan, where he focused on Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith Sciences, Prophetic Biography, and Islamic Spirituality while also working at the Qasid Arabic Institute as Director of Programs. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies (Alimiyya, Darul Uloom) and authorization in the six authentic books of Hadith and is currently pursuing specialized training in issuing Islamic legal verdicts (ifta’). He holds a certificate in Counselling and often works with new Muslims and those struggling with religious OCD. He is an instructor and researcher in Sacred Law and Theology with the SeekersGuidance The Global Islamic Seminary. Currently, He resides in the Greater Toronto Area with his wife and children. His personal interests include Indian history, comparative religion, English singing, and poetry.
