Should I avoid professions like law because of racism?

No. Whoever is honest, clear in thinking and balanced will succeed as a lawyer too, because someone who needs a good lawyer ultimately asks about ability, not skin colour.

Young Muslims are sometimes advised to avoid certain careers because prejudice is common there. When it comes to law, however, this advice is not convincing. Law offers great opportunities to progress and to work independently, and it needs more people with firm values.

Three things matter most in this profession. One must be honest, think clearly and logically, and judge in a balanced way. These three belong together. Whoever is truly honest must also think logically, and whoever thinks logically stays balanced in judgement. This is exactly what should mark out a person of faith. The second verse above demands standing up for justice, even against oneself or one’s own family.

Young Muslims often bring something extra. Because they keep explaining their faith and answering questions from many directions, their outlook becomes broad. They learn to look at a matter from several sides. That ability is very valuable in law.

Prejudice exists, but in law it is overcome by ability. Someone who faces a court and needs a good lawyer looks for the best one. Skin colour no longer matters then. The first verse above reminds us that God measures people by their righteousness and not by their nation. Whoever lets racism scare them away gives that prejudice more power than it deserves.

So it is worth not simply accepting such advice. Whoever is gifted and loves the law should take this path with confidence.