Assalamu’alaikum - Feeling Stuck as a 25‑Year‑Old Muslim Engineer, Need Advice
Assalamu’alaikum, I’m a 25-year-old Muslim mechanical engineer living in Riyadh and I feel very stuck. I’m sharing this because I need honest advice from fellow Muslims who understand faith, family pressures, and personal struggles. Growing up I was bullied a lot at school and even by some cousins. My parents were strict and wanted what’s best, but I didn’t really get emotional support. I became shy, afraid to speak up, and always second‑guessing myself. I finished my mechanical engineering degree, but to be honest I mostly passed without fully understanding a lot of subjects. Confidence has always been a big problem for me. After being in Riyadh for five months my father finally arranged for me to go to a site for training. When I’m there I don’t understand much. I feel weak and stupid. Others seem to read drawings, systems, and site work easily, while I draw a blank. I try hard but things don’t stick in my head and I worry I’m not capable. I know a bit of Revit, but when I compare my work to others I feel like I know nothing. I keep asking myself: “Who will hire me? How will I progress? Am I good enough?” My biggest wish is to do things for the sake of Allah - to be a better Muslim and to help people. My parents have sacrificed so much for me and I feel like I’m letting them down. I’m the eldest and my siblings look up to me, but inside I’m breaking and I cry quietly because I don’t know what to do with my life. I pray and make dua, but there’s this emptiness I can’t shake. Has anyone else felt like a failure and later found that Allah opened doors for them? Did any of you experience a sudden turn where things improved? Please share practical advice, duas, or personal stories. Specifically: how can I rebuild myself, learn engineering properly, and overcome low confidence and fear? Any tips on study routines, on‑site practice, or faith‑based ways to strengthen tawakkul and istiqamah would help a lot. JazakAllah khair for any help.