Working where alcohol or pork is sold Fatwa No: 81389
- Fatwa Date:22-4-2004
Assalamu Alaikum!I work in a restaurant in the kitchen, but the restaurant serves alcoholic beverages and has belly dancers. Should I remain working in this restaurant? Also, if I work in another restaurant they might not have liquor but have pork? Should I work there?
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
A Muslim should work in those fields which are permitted by Allaah, i.e. any work which does not involve any act of disobedience. If a Muslim works in a restaurant which serves intoxicants or pork then it is prohibited for him to work there. The Prophet said: "Allaah cursed all kinds of intoxicants in ten aspects: He cursed intoxicants in itself, its distiller, the one it was distilled for, the one who drinks it, the one who carries it, the one to whom it is carried, the one who sells it, the one who consumes its price, and the one who buys it." [At-Tirmithi and Abu Daawood].
Therefore, dear brother, you should seek another permissible work as they are so many. Allaah Says (what means): {It is He who made the earth tame for you — so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision—and to Him is the resurrection.} [Quran 67:15].
Allaah also Says (what means): {…and the earth of Allaah is spacious.} [Quran 39:10].
Allaah knows best.