Balancing studies while working full time – by Bint Aden

سم الله الرحمن الرحيم

All praise is due to Allah; we praise Him, seek His aid, and ask His forgiveness. We take refuge in Him from the evil of our own selves and from our evil deeds. Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray, and whoever He misguides, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no true deity except Allah with no associate, and that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and messenger.

My beloved sister, this is naseeha to myself first. Know that Allah has not created us for any other purpose apart from worshipping Him alone. As Allah سبحانه وتعالى says in Surah Adh-Dhariyat, ayah 56:

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”

It is easy to get caught in the “rat race” once you start your professional career. Don’t get me wrong—there is always the feeling of, “I studied so hard for this; I need to make the best of it and be the best in my field.” But have you ever truly reflected that there is more to life than clocking in and out of a daily 9–5?

Know, my dear sister, that Allah سبحانه وتعالى has rights over us. It is our duty as Muslims to seek knowledge and apply it, regardless of our circumstances.

We are all working toward goals: to increase our rizq, to provide for our parents, our children, or others. Let’s take one example—one that personally resonates with me: providing for our parents. We all love our parents dearly and can never fully repay them for what they have done. We try in small ways—giving gifts, paying bills, cooking a meal—but the greatest gift they will ever receive is on Yawm al-Qiyamah, when they are adorned with Taj al-Waqar. This is the blessing that comes from taking that step: enrolling in a Qur’an class, staying consistent, honoring the class, and achieving your goal. This is the supreme way to honor them.

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Tips for Studying While Working Full-Time

1. Manage Expectations
Before starting your journey of knowledge, it is natural to have high expectations—especially in the age of social media, where we see students posting their notes and masahif. We may think, “I wish that was me. I wish I could study in Madinah. I wish I could dedicate all my time to seeking knowledge.” These are good thoughts, but without effort, they remain wishes. You could be at the best Markaz or university, but without sincerity and hard work, you return home with only excuses.

2. Set a Schedule
After putting your trust in Allah, creating a realistic schedule is essential. This prevents overwhelm and helps maintain consistency. Make dua, ignore waswas, and have full tawakkul in Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Be sincere with yourself: ask, “How consistent am I?” Hold yourself accountable, avoid excuses, and fear Allah سبحانه وتعالى. As He says in Surah Al-Baqarah, ayah 282:

“Fear Allah, and Allah will teach you.”

3. Importance of Planning
We all have goals, but we often fail to plan effectively. Write down a roadmap. For example, if your goal is to memorize the Qur’an, break it into smaller goals with mini-goals. Achieving each mini-goal motivates you to continue.

I remember my first course at the Markaz, where our Ustadha (may Allah preserve her) gave us an assignment: write down three things abbreviated as ملك:

• م – Maadhaa: What is the goal?
• ل – Limaadhaa: Why do you want to achieve it?
• ك – Kayf: How will you achieve it?

Since then, it has been an eye-opener. Whenever I slack, I revisit my roadmap and remind myself of the hadith of Rasulullah ﷺ narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:

“Whoever takes a path upon which knowledge is obtained, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.”

Yes, the road may look long, but time will pass anyway. Why not invest it in seeking knowledge?

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How to Choose Classes That Suit You

Choose classes according to your roadmap. The best times are often after work or on weekends. Don’t feel discouraged if a class conflicts with your schedule—make dua for better opportunities. Start small. Avoid overwhelm. Focus on one class per week, give it its haqq, and be sincere. As your teacher (may Allah preserve her) advises, once you are consistent, add another class without neglecting the first. Remember: these classes are an amanah.

Using Your Lunch Break:
Even a 45-minute to 1-hour lunch break can be partially allocated for a 20-minute lecture. Prioritize wisely. If lectures are long, break them into smaller chunks.

Fasting:
Fasting can maximize your study time. For example, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays can give you 30–60 extra minutes for revision. Every minute counts. Ibn al-Jawzi (rahimahullah) reminds us:

“Every breath we take brings us closer to death. The time we spend in this world is short; the time in the grave is long, and the punishment for following our lowly desires is severe.”

After-Work Hours, Weekends, and Annual Leave:
Use after-work hours wisely, depending on your responsibilities and health. Weekends and days off are precious—sacrifice extra sleep, social media, Netflix, etc., for classes and revision. Summer holidays and annual leave are perfect for intensive study programs or online courses. Always maximize the time you have.

Commuting:
We spend half our lives commuting. Use this time for revision, lectures, contemplation, and listening to Qur’an. As Allah says in Surah Ta-Ha:

“We have not revealed the Qur’an to you to cause you distress.”

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When to Start Studying

Habibty, the right time is now. We are not promised the next minute. Life doesn’t stop for us. Don’t wait for the “perfect time.” Take the step, put your tawakkul in Allah, and show up with pure ikhlaas.

Yes, it will be hard at times. You may feel tired or unmotivated. But missing a class once can lead to a domino effect. Discipline, not motivation, is key. As Allah says in Surah Ar-Ra’d, verse 11:

“Verily Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

Sometimes, we worry about promotions or increasing income, but we must analyze priorities. It is better to be content with what we earn than to compromise seeking knowledge or worship. As Allah says in Surah At-Talaq, ayahs 2–3:

“…For him who fears Allah, He will make a way out and provide for him from places he could not expect.”

This is the promise of Allah, and it is always true.