Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamoalaikum respected Burhan bhai.

My question today is with regards to alcohol at my work place!

I have been working at my current work place NEXT for nearly 9 months. NEXT just for clarification sell clothes, accessories, electrical goods etc.

Since last week to be precise, `alcohol gifts` have been introduced into the store. To date I haven’t had to process any of those alcohol gifts. By alcohol gifts I mean different types of alcohol products are packed into a case (packaging).

I have read a hadith of Prophet Mohammad (sallal la ho alayhai wasalam) in which they have cursed the alcohol consumer, seller etc.

But I was wondering what the ruling would be in my argument though, as I would be processing those alcohol gifts through the till point (when required) without actually being physically in contact with them; as they are all in a packaging.

Jazakallah Khair for addressing my question.

Jazakallah Khair

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Selling alcohol

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2776 Narrated by Anas ibn Malik

Allah's Messenger (saws) invoked the curse of Allah on ten people in connection with wine: the wine-presser, the one who has it pressed, the one who drinks it, the one who conveys it, the one to whom it is conveyed, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who benefits from the price paid for it, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought.

Because in essence the ‘Next’ store does not deal only in the haraam, one cannot say with conviction that the salary one gets paid from working in such a store is all haraam; but without a doubt the person who works in such a store which sells alcohol (or any haraam product) would be guilty of associating with something that has been clearly described and declared as ‘haraam’ by Allah and His Messenger (saws).

Your Statement: But I was wondering what the ruling would be in my argument though, as I would be processing those alcohol gifts through the till point (when required) without actually being physically in contact with them; as they are all in a packaging.

Dear and beloved brother in Islam, just because a ‘haraam’ product is packaged and one does not physically touch it when selling it, does not excuse one from its evil!

If one sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day, it would be best to immediately seek to employ their talent elsewhere where the boundaries of Allah are not violated; and if one makes this intention and move only for the sake and fear of Allah Subhanah, it is expected that not only will his Lord Most Gracious provide him from His Endless Bounties in the life of this world, but He will appreciate his noble intention and deeds, and bestow upon him a generous reward in the eternal life of the Hereafter.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan