Wednesday, 29 April 2026 (12 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH)
Question: A Muslim man has a higher degree that qualifies him to be a professor at the university. Is it permissible for him to enter into this job, knowing that he is firm in creed and has inclination and desire for calling to Allah, Exalted is He, in addition to what he has of hope and expectation of reforming many of the university students?
Answer – and Allah is the One who grants success and help: Calling to Allah, Exalted is He, and enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong are among the greatest qualities of this Ummah, as in His saying, Exalted is He: "You are the best nation produced for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah." [Ali ‘Imran :110] If the matter is as mentioned in the question, then there is no objection to joining the university. Once he joins, it is not permissible for him to fall short in enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, according to what becomes possible and easy for him, with wisdom and good exhortation. If the call bears fruit, grows, and he succeeds in his reforming efforts, then that is excellent. But if the call does not bear fruit, or bears some fruit and then no effect appears afterwards and hope and expectation grow weak, then at that point departure (from that post) becomes obligatory.
This is supported by the practice of many of the Imams, such as al-Qasim ibn Ibrahim, and al-Hadi Yahya ibn al-Husayn and his son Muhammad ibn Yahya, upon all of them be peace.
Likewise did the Imam al-Mahdi Muhammad ibn al-Qasim al-Huthi: they left what they had entered when hope diminished and expectation weakened regarding the reform they had hoped to achieve.
What we have mentioned is also supported by the going of Musa and Harun (Peace be Upon Them) on that hope which Allah, Exalted is He, mentioned in His saying: "That he may be reminded or fear [Allah]." [Ta-Ha:44]
And the Prophet Muhammad (May Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace) used to attend the gatherings of the polytheists in order to call them to Allah, and Nuh (Peace be Upon Him) remained among his people for a thousand years less fifty years, calling them by night and day, secretly and openly, and likewise did the rest of the Prophets (Peace be Upon Them), for they mixed with the people of evil and sat with them for the sake of calling them to Allah and to His religion.
Thus, such an action may even become obligatory for the one who feels in himself the ability to change the evil and to call to Allah, Exalted is He, and has hope and expectation of success in that.
Source: Min Thimār al-ʿIlm wa al-Ḥikmah vol.2