Should I go to university or start working as a Muslim?

Both paths can please Allah

Islam values knowledge and it values honest work. The Prophet ﷺ said that no one eats better food than what he earns with his own hands, and that the Prophet Dawud ate from the work of his own hands (Sahih al-Bukhari 2072). He also said whoever follows a path seeking knowledge, Allah makes easy for him a path to Paradise (Sahih Muslim 2699). And the Quran tells believers to go out and earn after prayer:

So there's no "Islamic" answer that one path is always better. The better path is the one that is right for you.

Questions to ask yourself

• What career do I want? Medicine, law, engineering and teaching need degrees. Many trades, tech jobs and businesses don't.
• How would I pay? In the UK and USA, most student loans charge interest. See Are student loans haram?
• Are there alternatives? Scholarships, grants, apprenticeships, part-time study or employer-funded degrees. See Can I accept a scholarship from a bank as a Muslim?
• Who depends on me? If you support parents or a family, earning now may be the priority.
• Which environment helps my faith? A campus with an active MSA, or a job with a supportive team, can both work.

Your intention makes it worship

Study with the intention of benefiting people and supporting your family, or work with the intention of earning halal and staying independent, and both become acts of worship. Keep your prayers in either setting; see How do I balance studying and prayer as a Muslim student?

Ask Allah and ask people

The Prophet ﷺ taught the istikhara prayer for important decisions, a two-rakah prayer followed by a dua asking Allah to make the good choice easy (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166). Combine it with advice from people who know you and your field: a careers adviser, a family member, or a Muslim working in the career you're considering.