(#164)
Question
As-salamu alaikum, I’m just wondering if it’s permissible for someone to work at a supermarket/grocery store that sells halal and non-halal items (such as pork, alcohol, etc.)?
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
We have received your query dated 05/12/2022, our response is as follows:
One would not be permitted to work at the checkout of a non-Muslim owned supermarket (even if it is in a non-Muslim country) that sells pork, alcohol, Haraam meat products or other Haraam consumables. The basis of its impermissibility is that by working at the checkout one would effectively be executing a Haraam transaction in person for the non-Muslim owner by way of selling it to the customer and thereby effecting the sale transaction on his behalf. Shariah strictly prohibits one from selling Haraam commodities such as alcohol and pork etc. It is also not permissible to act on behalf of another person in the execution of a Haraam act.
Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said:
“Allah Ta’aala has cursed wine and the one who drinks it, serves it to others, sells it, buys it, extracts the juice of grapes for wine-production, has it extracted for him, conveys it and has it conveyed to him” [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 2, Pg. 161]
The same ruling would be applicable for working at the checkout of a Muslim owned Supermarket that sells Haraam consumables (alcohol, pork etc.) even if it were in a non-Muslim country. In fact the prohibition in this instance would be to a greater degree than if the supermarket is non-Muslim owned.
Furthermore, by working at the checkout of a supermarket that sells the aforementioned Haraam commodities or by working in such a department of the store whereby one’s chore is of such a nature that he would thereby have some form of affiliation to the Haraam commodity, one will be assisting in the promotion of a Haraam business whereas assisting in the promotion of a Haraam (unlawful) cause has been expressly and categorically forbidden in the Holy Qur’aan. Allah Ta’ala says: “And do not help one another in sin and transgression.” [Qur’aan, 5:3].
To work in another department of the supermarket whose majority income is not from the sale of Haraam commodities in such a way that one is not in any way affiliated to the Haraam commodity would be permissible. Hence, for one work in a department where one will be affiliated to Haraam commodities in terms of having to pack such commodities or to serve it them to customers etc. would also not be permissible. Therefore, our advise is that you should request your employer to let you work in a department wherein you do not have to come into contact with any Haraam items. Inshallah in this way you will see more Barakah (blessing) in your sustenance.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by:
Muhammad Irshad Motara
