Fatwa ID: 06822

 

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

 

Question:

 

Aslamualaykum, my mother and I were wondering if it’s halal to work at a grocery store because they sell alcohol. However, I did say we could but I wanted an Islamically correct view on it. If you can shed some light on this topic for me in sha Allah I would be delighted to hear.

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Answer:

 

The fact that you are concerned about where your earnings are accrued from is praiseworthy. It makes evident your consciousness of Allāh Ta’ālā and your desire to obey Him. The Prophet ﷺ said that earning a halal income is an obligation beyond other obligations. [Shu’bul Iman lil Bayhaqi: Hadith 8367] [1]

 

Allāh Ta’ālā also commands “Do not aid in sin.” [Surāh Mā’idah, 5:2] [2]

 

Furthermore, the Prophet ﷺ has said “A time will come when one will not care how one gains one’s money, legally or illegally.” [Sahih Bukhari: Hadith 2059] [3]

 

“Whosoever fears Allāh (by abstaining from sins and fulfilling his obligations) Allāh will open up ways for him out of every difficulty. Allāh will provide sustenance for him from such avenues which he least perceives. Whoever places his trust in Allāh, Allāh will suffice him. Indeed, Allāh will accomplish His purpose. Allāh has already set a measure for all things.” [Surah at-Talaq; 65:2-3] [4]

 

The Prophet ﷺ said “Do not delay (in earning) sustenance, for the servant will not die until his last provisions reach him. (So) take what is Halāl and leave what is Haraam.” [Sahih Ibn Hibbān: Hadith 3239] [5]

 

These are reminders for us that our earnings have already been fixed by Allāh Ta’ālā. Now, whether we choose to receive these earnings through Halal means or Haraam is up to us. One way or another, whatever has been destined for us will reach us.

 

Nonetheless, it is upon us to go out and actively seek a Halal means of earning and then we place our trust in Allāh Ta’ālā to grant it to us. This has always been the method of Allāh Ta’ālā, that is, we first have to make an effort and then Allāh’s aid will reach us.

 

Specifically, in regard to your question, it would be permissible to work in such an environment so long as the majority of the income of the business is attained via Halal means. It is also worth noting that as an employee of such a company, you are not the one supplying, procuring, sourcing, or facilitating the Haraam. You would simply be working as an employee of the company. Nonetheless, working for such a company would carry an element of karā’ha and dislike. One should actively endeavour to find alternate means of work where there’s no doubt in the earnings being Halal.

 

 

 

Only Allāh knows best.

Written by Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

 

 

 

 

[1]طَلَبُ كَسْبِ الْحَلَالِ فَرِيضَةٌ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ

 

[2]وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَ ا⁠نِۚ{

 

[3]يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ، لاَ يُبَالِي الْمَرْءُ مَا أَخَذَ مِنْهُ أَمِنَ الْحَلاَلِ أَمْ مِنَ الْحَرَامِ

 

[4]وَمَن یَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ یَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ مَخۡرَجࣰا. وَیَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَیۡثُ لَا یَحۡتَسِبُۚ وَمَن یَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُۥۤۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمۡرِهِۦۚ قَدۡ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَیۡءࣲ قَدۡرࣰا{

 

[5]لا تستبطِئوا الرِّزقَ فإنَّه لن يموتَ العبدُ حتَّى يبلُغَه آخِرُ رزقٍ هو له فأجمِلوا في الطَّلبِ: أَخْذِ الحلالِ وتَرْكِ الحرامِ