 At the age of 20 , Jinnah began his practice in Bombay , the only Muslim barrister in the city . English had become his principal language and would remain so throughout his life . His first three years in the law , from 1897 to 1900 , brought him few briefs . His first step towards a brighter career occurred when the acting Advocate General of Bombay , John Molesworth MacPherson , invited Jinnah to work from his chambers . In 1900 , P. H. Dastoor , a Bombay presidency magistrate , left the post temporarily and Jinnah succeeded in getting the interim position . After his six @-@ month appointment period , Jinnah was offered a permanent position on a 1 @,@ 500 rupee per month salary . Jinnah politely declined the offer , stating that he planned to earn 1 @,@ 500 rupees a day — a huge sum at that time — which he eventually did . Nevertheless , as Governor @-@ General of Pakistan , he would refuse to accept a large salary , fixing it at 1 rupee per month . 
