Al-sallamu Al-laikoum Recently, I have just knew that a friend of mine has returned to an old bad habit "Drinking alcohol" (May God direct him to the right path). However, mistakenly I knew from him that he did that on the night when I invited him to a barbecue, in which he was yet informed about, the problem now do I bear any sin for that action, knowing that I did not want him to go back to drink, rather than just to enjoy the night with some friends as it was on the new year eve, plus I did not know that alcohol will be served during that night? Jazzakoum Allahu khair

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.

It is forbidden to consume alcohol and the Prophet cursed its drinker, the one who serves it to others and the one who carries it, as in the narration reported by Ibn Daawood . Therefore, it is an obligation upon whoever invites others for dinner to make sure that no forbidden food or drink is served for them, be it intoxicants or any other forbidden foodstuff. Hence, if you agreed with a restaurant to arrange the dinner for you, you should have instructed them not to serve any intoxicant.

However, we hope that you are not sinful because you did not ask for intoxicants for your guests and you did know that it is served for them.

Finally, you should know that celebrating the “New Year” is an innovation and a Muslim is not permitted to participate in its celebration.

For more benefit on the ruling about celebrating the “New Year”, please refer to Fatwa 83628, and to Fatwa 81900 on the ruling about intoxicants.