Can I work in a Restaurant That Serves Haram Food & Drinks?

Working in a restaurant that serves haram food & drinks is not allowed in Islam as the following Quranic verses seem to suggest.

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things”

[al-Talaaq 65:2-3]

The above-mentioned verses seem to suggest that we should trust Allah in all situations, and, as a result, He will help us, in all difficulties

Muslims must avoid working in such companies which offer alcohol, intoxicants, or simply food that is considered haram in Shariah.

The ruling, however, seems to be somewhat different when it comes to a person eating in a restaurant that serves pork or haram food items.

Islam is a religion of morality and goodness. It aims at building a solid society on the bases of purity, modesty, morals, and good manners. By the same token, Islam blocks all ways that lead to evil to the extent that Muslim jurists adopt a juristic principle that reads: What is conducive to the haram (unlawful) is itself haram.

In Islam, it is not only considered haram to consume what is haram but the prohibition also extends to promoting or condoning or aiding or assisting in the commission of the act. By working in such a restaurant, you are undoubtedly contributing to such things. Therefore, it is not considered lawful for a Muslim to work in such a company.

You would undoubtedly be concerned about losing your livelihood. Allah has promised us in the Quran that He would certainly provide for us should we remain conscious of Him and strive earnestly to obtain a halal source of income.

You are, therefore, best advised to exercise your imagination to find Halal income sources. When Allah forbids something in Islam, He has made sure to provide us with substitutes that are Halal.

Allah says in the Quran, {And whosoever keeps his duty to Allah, He makes his course easy for him.} (At-Talaq 65:4)

It is also worth mentioning that there is virtually no blessing in earnings that are purely haram. A penny of halal is better than a million dollars earned through haram means. One of the conditions for acceptance of daily prayer in Islam is to earn a living through purely halal sources.

Therefore, you are best advised to seek to find a source of livelihood that is purely halal. If you have the will and sincere intention and strive for it, Allah will surely help.

As for working in such an organization, it is haraam so long as the restaurant sells haraam things, even if the one who holds this job does not do the selling himself, because he is helping with something haraam. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning).

“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness, and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment”

[al-Maa’idah 5:2]

Imam al-Jassaas said in Ahkaam al-Qur’an (2/429): The apparent meanings of the words of Allaah “Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness, and piety)” indicates that it is obligatory to cooperate in everything that is obedience to Allaah because birr (righteousness) is obedience to Allaah. And the words “but do not help one another in sin and transgression” mean that it is forbidden for us to help others in disobeying Allah. End quote.

And Allaah knows best.