Islam Question and Answer - Working in restaurants where wine is served

Thu 11/8/1434 - 20/6/2013

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Principles of Fiqh » Jurisprudence and Islamic Rulings » Customs and traditions » Drinks
Principles of Fiqh » Jurisprudence and Islamic Rulings » Transactions » Employment for a Salary » Prohibited Jobs

Working in restaurants where wine is served

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What is the ruling on one who works in a restaurant where haraam drinks are sold, but he avoids preparing or carrying these drinks to customers, but he continues to serve the customers if they ask for food and drinks which are not haraam? Taking into account the fact that I pass by people who are drinking them and I see those who are serving them, as it is one place. What is the ruling on the Muslim who deals in them for the purpose of attracting customers? What is the ruling on serving pork to customers when working in that restaurant, as a service and work for the purpose of earning a living? What is the ruling on the owner of a restaurant who has pork and earns money from it?

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: it is haraam to work and earn a living by helping people to consume haraam things such as alcohol and pork. The payment for that is haraam, because this is a kind of cooperating in sin and transgression, and Allaah prohibited that when He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“…but do not help one another in sin and transgression…” [al-Maa’idah 5:2]

We advise you to keep away from working in this and similar restaurants, because this will keep you from helping in anything that Allaah has forbidden.

Secondly: it is forbidden for a Muslim to sell haraam things such as pork and alcohol. It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“When Allaah forbids a thing, He also forbids its price.”

Provision and the attraction of customers are things that are in the hand of Allaah, and they are not to be found in selling haraam things. The Muslim must fear Allaah and follow His commands and heed His prohibitions.

“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine” [al-Talaaq 65:2-3 – interpretation of the meaning]

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid