Working where alcohol is sold
Fatwa No: 83991

Question

Can I work in a restaurant that sells alcohol but I don't touch it, I am still looking for another job but it takes time.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

The ruling of working in restaurants that sell and use forbidden things differs according to the nature and kind of such a work. So, if your work has relation with promoting wine or helping others to buy it, then such a work is Haram, since it is a form of co-operation on evil and transgression.
Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…but do not help one another in sin and transgression. …} [5:2].
In the same vein, Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Allah has cursed Khamr (all kinds of intoxicants), its drinker, server, seller, buyer, the one who presses it out, the one to whom it is pressed, its transporter and the one to whom it is borne" . [ Abu Dawood , Ibn Majah and others].
So, it becomes clear that everyone helps in serving Khamr is cursed, whether he/she be a server or a drinker.
But, if your work is confined only to prepare what is Halal for customers, then your work is Halal, although it is better for a Muslim to avoid places that extend beyond the Divine Boundaries, i.e. prohibitions.
Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {… And whosoever fears Allâh 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. …} [65:2-3].
Allah knows best.

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