
Elon Musk Has Gone Full Islamaphobe – How Muslims Should Respond
13 January 2025 4 min read
15 min read
Published:
Updated:
Ibrahim Khan
Co-founder
In the modern job market, finding a job that you find enriching – in both senses of the word – can be draining. Navigating the world of fluctuating economies, new technology, and the tail end of a pandemic, can make an already challenging task seem near impossible.
As a Muslim you also have an additional challenge: finding a job that also aligns with your faith.
In this article we show that the seemingly impossible can often be possible. You can be a practising Muslims and get a job where you earn £/$100,000 per annum.
Caveat: a £100k salary is not the only measure of success – there are rewarding jobs which earn far less – but we’re trying to make a different point here.
What is really surprising – but retrospectively obvious – when you study the data on the highest paid jobs is that it doesn’t really matter what industry you go in – what matters is that you get to the top. As the latest numbers from the ONS show – management and leadership are right at the top of the pile.
Leadership roles are crucial in every industry, and offer a versatile and rewarding career path to a £100k + salary.
In fact, the larger the company, the larger the salary. The boss of Centrica for example made:
Leaders in these positions are tasked with strategic decision-making, team management, and driving business growth. The success of an individual in a managerial role often hinges on a blend of academic excellence, professional qualifications, and a demonstrated track record in effective leadership throughout their company and career.
This means there are many ways to approach reaching this level in your workspace, either through training programs and working your way up, or hopping between companies over the years transferring the skills you learned in one place onto the next.
From an Islamic perspective – being a leader of an organisation which is highly leveraged or where you are personally having to make moral decisions you would be uncomfortable with – should be kept in mind. At the start of your career – make sure you’re going into an industry you’d be happy leading – even if you’re not there yet.
Useful links:
https://www.jodymichael.com/blog/becoming-manager-no-one-tells/
https://work.chron.com/salaries-upperlevel-management-1899.html
Pursuing a career in law, particularly in specialities such as corporate, intellectual property, or international law, offers not just financial rewards but also intellectual stimulation and the opportunity to effect change in society.
The American Bar Association reports that lawyers in top law firms can earn significantly more than their counterparts in the public sector, reflecting the substantial financial potential of this career.
And the money is great from the start. This is what you get paid at top corporate firms in your first two years:
(Above) The starting international law firm salaries for qualified lawyers.
The Islamic side of working in corporate law (or any kind of law) is not straightforward to navigate. We have done a number of videos to help guide you through this such as this one:
Useful links:
https://www.americanbar.org/careercenter/
https://www.law.ac.uk/resources/blog/boost-your-chances-of-getting-a-training-contract/
https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/policy/solicitors-qualifying-examination/background-sqe/
https://www.thelawyer.com/trainee-newly-qualified-salaries-uk-law-firms/
Flipping the script entirely from the classical career options, this is a niche profession that can get you far with the right skills. Enterprise Architects design the IT structure of a business. You need a strategic mind, as well as solid technical knowledge and product management skills, but this allows you to play a big role in shaping the direction of large organisations.
It’s not just about tech-know how, but being able to think big picture and see where your company should be going. Given the constant growth of technology in our lives, this is a very enticing opportunity for earning potential. For Muslims, this role provides an opportunity to contribute to ethical and sustainable technological advancements that benefit society as a whole.
Useful links:
https://medium.com/@andresalonso.ramirez/how-to-become-an-enterprise-architect-ea-109724f3bc02
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/careers/what-does-an-enterprise-architect-do
Although I am sure you have heard the running joke about “what do consultants even do?”, in reality the answer is they are (very well paid) advisors. Consultants provide analysis and advice in fields such as management, strategy, technology, and data analytics. Their goal is to help companies work better.
This career path is not just financially rewarding but also offers a dynamic work environment: each project is different. For professionals adhering to Islamic ethical principles, consulting offers a platform to influence business practices positively and drive change towards more ethical and sustainable operations. Similarly to law, this may have pitfalls to navigate ethically, however, the variety of consulting gigs means that it is likely that muslims can choose firms that avoid unacceptable industries.
Useful links:
https://www.efinancialcareers.co.uk/news/finance/pay-mckinsey-bain-bcg-big-four
Accounting and actuarial science are fields that combine financial expertise with analytical skills. Senior roles in these fields, particularly those in large multinational firms or specialised sectors, offer lucrative compensation.
Actuaries, with their expertise in risk assessment and financial modelling, find their skills in high demand in sectors like insurance and pensions. These professions align well with Halal principles by ensuring financial transparency and accountability, which are key tenets in Islamic business practices and in life.
Useful links:
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Actuary/Salary
https://actuaries.org.uk/qualify/become-an-actuary/what-is-an-actuary/
Software engineering stands at the forefront of our lives these days. Pretty much everything we use has been touched by a team of software engineers at some point. Correspondingly, they are handsomely rewarded for this. If you choose to specialise in high-growth areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, or blockchain technology you can expect to see salaries that are among the highest in their field and beyond.
For Muslim professionals, software engineering offers a pathway to contribute to the development of ethical technology solutions that can enhance the quality of life while adhering to Islamic values. Here at IFG, about half of our team are software engineers working to deliver our top-quality halal investment platform Cur8 Capital to everybody.
Useful links:
https://www.coursera.org/articles/software-engineer
https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/web-development/software-engineer-salary/
Architecture is a blend of art and science, requiring creativity, technical knowledge, and an understanding of environmental and social factors, and if you can get a job at a top firm the salaries are suitably high-rise.
This profession not only offers financial rewards but also the satisfaction of creating lasting, tangible contributions to society. Architects have the unique opportunity to design buildings and spaces that not only meet functional needs but also reflect ethical considerations, such as sustainability and social responsibility, aligning with the principles of Halal careers.
Useful links:
https://southeastventure.com/2020/03/03/architecture-a-beautiful-mix-of-art-and-science/
As we all know, a career in medicine is highly esteemed and financially rewarding, particularly in countries like the U.S., where medical professionals are among the highest earners. If you take a look at the numbers, the average U.S. physician earns $350,000 a year. Top doctors pull in 10 times that. https://www.nber.org/papers/w31469. Take a look at this table for a breakdown of the average U.S. doctor salary by speciality.
In the UK things are a little different, but that should not put one off becoming a doctor. Middle-grade doctors earn around £51,000, consultants approximately £103,000, surgeons about £110,000, and general practitioners (GPs) typically earn around £108,000 annually, and GP partners have an average income before tax of approximately £140,000. All very respectable numbers.
Additionally, many doctors supplement their income through private work. This is particularly true for certain specialities, where private earnings can significantly exceed their NHS salary. The top three highest-paid medical specialities in terms of potential for private work are plastic surgery, trauma and orthopaedic surgery, and neurosurgery.
Furthermore, for Muslims, a career in medicine aligns perfectly with the Halal principle of serving humanity and contributing positively to society, as it involves providing essential healthcare services and improving the quality of life for individuals and communities. You will be helping those around you, getting paid well, and quieting any needling relatives who want to know what you do for a living – all around very tempting.
Useful links:
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/training-doctor
https://medicalschoolexpert.co.uk/how-much-do-doctors-earn/
https://medicalschoolexpert.co.uk/how-much-does-a-gp-earn-uk/
Dentistry, often considered a less stressful alternative to medicine, offers excellent financial prospects. In terms of career satisfaction, dentistry is often regarded as offering a better work-life balance compared to the medical profession, which will almost always involve irregular shift patterns, including nights and weekends.
The American Dental Association notes that dentists enjoy a high degree of professional autonomy, with the potential for significant earnings, especially for those who own their practices. Dentistry combines healthcare with entrepreneurial opportunities, making it an attractive career choice for those seeking a Halal path. Dentists have the ability to directly impact the health and well-being of their patients, providing essential services that improve oral health and, by extension, overall health.
In the UK, dentists’ salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as their level of experience, specialisation, and whether they work in the NHS or in private practice. On average, a dentist’s salary in the UK in 2024 is around £52,176, but this can rise considerably in cities like London and Birmingham, where average salaries are around £80,000. NHS dentists earn between £35,000 and £70,000, while private dentists can make as much as £130,000 and sometimes even more. Consultants in dental specialties can earn upwards of £105,000.
In the U.S., the average dentist salary is $240,000 and across all 50 states dentists are universally paid well. Below is a table of the best places in the U.S. to be a dentist in terms of average annual salary.
Useful links:
https://www.dentaly.org/en/dentist-salary-uk/
Sales is a dynamic and highly rewarding career, especially in fields like technology or pharmaceuticals, where the value of products is high. The more you sell, the better you get paid. In fact, top sales professionals often outearn other roles in a company, including executives, through a mix of base salary and performance bonuses.
This career path rewards those with excellent communication skills, business acumen, and a results-driven approach. For Muslims adhering to Halal principles, a career in sales offers the opportunity to engage in ethical selling practices, ensuring that products and services sold are beneficial and do not contravene Islamic teachings.
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) advisory is a type of banking that can prove to be a niche but lucrative career path. M&A advisors work on purchasing, consolidating, or combining companies to allow business to grow or become more competitive. This is a fast moving and intense industry that focuses on finding opportunities and seizing them.
While traditional banking roles may conflict with Islamic finance principles, M&A advisory and boutique firms often offer ethically navigable pathways, focusing on consultancy and strategic advice rather than interest-based transactions. This aligns well with Halal principles, as it involves guiding businesses through complex financial decisions in a manner that is transparent and ethically sound.
Useful links:
https://www.mascience.com/basics/steps-to-take-before-starting-a-career-in-m-a
Asset management is a financially rewarding career that aligns well with Islamic finance principles, in-fact that is exactly what we do at our sister company Cur8 Capital. Asset managers handle wealth and investment portfolios, focusing on generating returns through diverse investment strategies.
The financial potential in asset management is significant, often surpassing the average salaries reported by industry sources. For Muslim professionals, this career offers a platform to engage in ethical investment practices, ensuring that investments are made in a manner that is consistent with Islamic teachings and contributes positively to society.
Useful links:
For those passionate about aviation, a career as a pilot offers not just the thrill of flying but also substantial financial rewards. Whilst this may not be the most traditional career on this list, in some ways it is the most prestigious as there are very few open slots for being a pilot. In the U.S., there are a mere 105,000 commercial pilots out there compared to well over a million doctors.
This career provides an exciting and financially viable path for individuals interested in aviation, offering a unique opportunity to explore the world while adhering to Halal principles. Pilots have the responsibility of ensuring safe travel for passengers, aligning with the Islamic values of protecting life and providing a valuable service to society.
From a personal perspective, becoming a pilot is more than a profession; it’s a lifelong dream for many. It’s about the love of flying and the freedom it represents. It’s a career that takes you above the clouds, offering unique experiences and perspectives that few other professions can.
Useful links:
https://clearedtodream.org/career-outlook/pay-and-benefits
Conclusion:
Being a Muslim and staying true to your faith – and still earning over £100k is possible. We have outlined 13 jobs in this article to allow you to do just that.
The route to getting most of these jobs is typically a mixture of:
And then once you’re there – you can join the 2k+ high net worth investors on Cur8 Capital who we help to invest their hard-earned cash 🙂
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