Practicing Islam can seem both simple and challenging. It’s straightforward because when you read the Quran and follow Allah’s (SWT) guidance, the instructions appear clear—pray five times a day, avoid non-halal acts like drinking alcohol, free mixing, swearing, and ensure your food is halal. These commands are easy to understand; it’s not rocket science. However, in today’s world, where both men and women often need or choose to work in diverse environments, adhering to Islamic principles can sometimes feel more difficult.

The title of this blog is Balancing Islamic Values with a Tech Career, but these principles apply to any career. I often struggle to fully practice my faith at work, especially in diverse settings where colleagues come from various backgrounds.

From my 10 years of experience, I’ve realized that when we fail to practice our faith, the first challenge we often encounter is a sense of embarrassment or a lack of confidence. Initially, I felt uncomfortable finding a quiet space to pray, and I was embarrassed, though I couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. When going out with colleagues, I worried about causing inconvenience by mentioning that I only eat halal. As a result, I sometimes compromised by dining at restaurants that served non-halal food, opting for a salad or vegetarian option instead. While I believe it’s okay to compromise occasionally to enjoy good company, the real issue lies in not expressing my choices and suffering in silence rather than discussing my options with others.

I have been actively working on building my confidence and overcoming the hesitation I once felt about practicing my faith. Living in Singapore, where Islam ranks fourth in terms of religious affiliation at 15.6%—following Buddhism (31.1%), no religion (20.0%), and Christianity (18.9%)—has made it easier to adapt and gain confidence, as I see fellow Muslims almost everywhere. However, the situation varies in the workplace. In my previous jobs, where there were very few Muslims on my team or in the departments I worked with, I often felt more hesitant. Alhamdulillah, in my current workplace, I have Muslim colleagues, which makes practicing my faith—whether praying or eating halal—feel much more natural and comfortable.

During Ramadan, it can be a bit more challenging as we strive to be better Muslims by maintaining our five daily prayers, engaging in extra dhikr, and abstaining from food and drink throughout the day. Temptations often arise when co-workers eat and drink around us, but we resist these distractions. I feel blessed that whenever a non-Muslim colleague discovers I’m Muslim, they tend to be sensitive during Ramadan, often refraining from inviting me out to lunch or apologizing for eating or drinking in front of me out of respect (while their apology isn’t necessary, I do appreciate their thoughtfulness). Such gestures from my co-workers make the experience much more manageable.

I started wearing my hijab on the first day of university and have never felt uncomfortable wearing it anywhere. I’ve traveled to non-Islamic countries in both Asia and Europe with my hijab, and it has become an integral part of my identity. Wearing it makes me feel comfortable, and even if I’m the only person in a setting with a hijab, I rarely experience any discomfort. This has made practicing at least one aspect of my faith much easier.

One important aspect of working as a Muslim is navigating social situations. Sometimes, co-workers may want to unwind at a pub or club, and while such gatherings can present opportunities, I always choose to politely decline. I don’t experience FOMO because, by nature, I’m more of a homebody, and my fear of displeasing Allah far outweighs any concerns about what my co-workers might think or the fear of missing out on opportunities. It’s essential to remember that Allah has already determined our rizq (provision), so what’s meant for us will reach us. That said, I do occasionally join my colleagues for activities like games or dinner, as long as it’s at a place where I can make halal choices.

I am continually learning and adapting to find positive ways to practice Islam and incorporate it into my life, no matter what I am doing. These experiences reflect my journey, and I hope some of you can relate.