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Fatwa CenterDesigning Restaurant or Hotels that may Include Places for Alcohol
Question
Salam, I’m a student interior designer who’s doing a year long placement, I was wondering what is the ruling and permissibility on designing certain spaces such as: Places serving Alcohol: 1.I know bars are haram so would that make my work haram? I have not designed any nor will I I’m just curious. 2.what about places that alcohol may or may not be served such as cafes, restaurant, shopping centre? But not being involved with the alcohol section.3.If a space serves alcohol or has a bar, could I design an aspect of that space but making sure that I am not involved with the alcohol area/bar? Or is it all impermissible? For example just designing the seating area in a restaurant or designing hotel rooms? As both of these deal with alcohol.4.If it permissible to only design certain sections of a space that sells alcohol and making sure not to directly design the bar area. What about picking out a floor material, paint colour, furniture etc. that with span and cover the whole space even the bar area? Is that allowed? 5.What about designing a clothes store but inside a shopping centre that may serve alcohol or have restaurants that serve alcohol? In all of these cases I will just design the space and not consume alcohol or haram meat.6.What about a yoga studio? But just the reception area? 7.What about places where haram meat will be served? 8.Anything to do with places of worship (different religions), could I just design a reception area? Or is it all impermissible? 9.What about museums? Retail (clothes) stores? Shopping centres? A house for non Muslim people? 10.Is there any other places that I cannot design? I don’t want to do anything wrong and be on the right path.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
It is not possible to address all the issues that you have mentioned, but we will give you a general answer that will summarize your questions and others.
It is not permissible to design premises or shops that are specialized in what is forbidden. As regards what is not specific to what is forbidden, and its activity or work is not primarily forbidden, then it is not forbidden to design them, such as hotels, for example. It is not forbidden to design hotel rooms or restaurants that are not specialized in serving alcohol.
The same thing applies to shops that sell everything and which may sell alcohol, or restaurants whose services may include providing alcohol.
It is not forbidden to design them, because a prohibited matter that is partially included in a service is permissible whereas it becomes prohibited if the forbidden service is the primarily service provided. When there is a prohibited matter that is a part of or branch from something else (that is permissible), then it does not take a separate ruling on itself unless it is intended by itself (i.e., the main objective is to do what is prohibited).
This is a general rule that can be applied on the issues that you have mentioned and others issues.
Allah knows best.
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