Q 2 and 3: What is the ruling on working in a restaurant that serves alcohol, if I avoid serving or carrying drinks to the customers, but continue to serve them if they just ask for food or lawful beverages? Bear in mind that I pass by customers who are drinking and see those who serve them, as it happens in the same place. What is the ruling on a Muslim who serves alcohol to attract customers? What is the ruling on serving pork to customers when working in that restaurant, as a service and for earning a living? What is the ruling on the owner of a restaurant that (Part No. 13; Page No. 50) serves pork and profits from this?

A: Firstly: It is Haram (prohibited) to work and earn a living from helping others consume forbidden things such as alcohol and pork, and any payment received in return for this is also Haram, because it falls under cooperation in sin and transgression. Allah (Exalted be He) forbids this, saying (what means): ...but do not help one another in sin and transgression. We advise you to stop working at this restaurant and similar places, as this will rid you from abetment in something that Allah has forbidden. Secondly: It is Haram for a Muslim to sell anything that is prohibited, such as pork or alcohol, as it has been authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said, “When Allah forbids a thing, He also forbids its price.” Things like livelihood and attracting customers are in the Hand of Allah, not in the selling of prohibited items. Therefore, a Muslim should have Taqwa (fear/wariness of offending Allah) by submitting to His Orders and avoiding His Prohibitions. 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. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.