Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states “Legal profession is a valuable area for a person with noble intention to pursue. Since ordinary citizens cannot be expected to protect their fundamental rights when they are violated except through recourse to trained legal professionals, to pursue this field of studies falls under the category of Fard Kifayah (collective duty). This implies that if no one pursues this field of study and this put the interests of the community at stake, then the entire community are deemed to be at fault in the sight of Allah.
As Imam Ghazzali has rightly stated in his Ihya, all fields of studies that are considered beneficial and essential for the survival of the community fall under the category of Fard Kifayah and Muslims should therefore take such studies seriously as a call of religious duty.
As there is definitely a genuine shortage of Muslim lawyers who are truly conscious of their responsibilities towards Islam and Muslim community, it is undoubtedly a highly recommended field to consider for a career for a young person like you.
Moreover, it is worth mentioning that if you are pursuing this study with the sincere intention of serving the cause of Allah by standing for truth and justice, then it is indeed a most noble act, meriting great rewards from Allah both in this world and the next. Upholding the cause of truth and justice is one of the highest objectives of Islam, which as a community, we are mandated to do.”
Here, we’d like to add that as a lawyer or a consultant, one should be committed to the principles and ethics of Islam. One is not allowed to violate any guidance of the religion. One’s involvement in the system has nothing to do with labelling that system as being Islamic or non-Islamic. But, for instance, if one was involved in a financial dispute, then one is not allowed to help anybody for generating any Riba (usury) because of that deal. One should always be in disagreement with Riba, gambling or lottery. One cannot help a person who is a thief in order to make him innocent against your satisfaction. There is no evidence in Shari`ah that generalize saying the career of a lawyer is Haram. But, the conclusion of studying Qur’an and Sunnah lead into drawing the limits for this job.