Working as a storekeeper in a hotel where there is alcohol

Alcohol is the mother of all evils, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us. Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Awsat; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’. 

It is not permissible to drink it, carry it, sell it, buy it or help with it in any way whatsoever, such as recording in books or on the computer,  and so on, because of the warnings and curses that have been narrated concerning that, Abu Dawood (3674) and Ibn Maajah (3380) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “May Allaah curse wine, the one who drinks it, the one who pours it, the one who sells it, the one who buys it, the one who squeezes (the grapes etc), the one for whom it is squeezed, the one who carries it and the one to whom it is carried.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. 

Al-Tirmidhi (1295) narrated that Anas ibn Maalik said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed ten with regard to wine: the one who squeezes (the grapes etc), the one who asks for it to be squeezed, the one who drinks it, the one who carries it, the one to whom it is carried, the one who pours it, the one who sells it and consumes its price, the one who buys it and the one for whom it is bought. 

Undoubtedly your working in these stores in which there is alcohol, involves guarding it, recording it, as well as keeping silent about the evil of moving it and transporting it from time to time. 

Based on that, it is not permissible for you to carry on working in this job, because it involves cooperating in sin and transgression, and not denouncing evil. 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand (by taking action); if he cannot, then with his tongue (by speaking out); and if he cannot, then with his heart (by hating it and feeling it is wrong), and that is the weakest of faith.” Narrated by Muslim (49).  

It is well known that denouncing evil in one’s heart must also be accompanied by leaving the place of evil, as is indicated by the words of Allaah, may He be exalted (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur’aan) that when you hear the Verses of Allaah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them. Surely, Allaah will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell”

[al-Nisa’ 4:140]

al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The words of Allaah, may He be exalted, “then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that” mean, words other than kufr; “certainly in that case you would be like them”. This indicates that it is obligatory to avoid the people of sin when you see them commit evil, because the one who does not avoid them is approving of their deeds, and approval of kufr is itself kufr. Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “certainly in that case you would be like them”. So everyone who sits in a sinful gathering and does not denounce them shares an equal burden of sin with them. 

He should denounce them if they speak of sin and do it. If he is not able to denounce them then he should get up and leave, so that he will not be one of those mentioned in this verse. 

It was narrated that ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez (may Allaah be pleased with him) caught some people drinking alcohol, and it was said to him that one of the people present was fasting. He disciplined him as well and recited this verse, “certainly in that case you would be like them” i.e., approval of sin is also sin. Hence the one who did it and the one who approved of it are both to be punished. End quote. 

So you have to look for another, permissible job, and be certain that provision comes from Allaah, and Allaah will not forsake His believing slave. Beware of letting hardship and difficult circumstances push you into seeking provision by disobeying Allaah, may He be exalted. 

Ibn Maajah narrated in his Sunan (2144) that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O people, fear Allaah and be moderate in seeking a living, for no soul will die until it has received all its provision, even if it is slow in coming. So fear Allaah and be moderate in seeking provision; take that which is permissible and leave that which is forbidden.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah. 

You should also remember that whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better than it, as Imam Ahmad (22565) narrated from Abu Qataadah and Abu’l-Dahma’ who said: We came to a man from among the people of the desert and said: Did you hear anything from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? 

He said: Yes, I heard him say: “You will never give up anything for the sake of Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, but Allaah will give you something better than it in its stead.” Al-Arna’oot said: Its isnaad is saheeh. It was also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Da’eefah, hadeeth no. 5. 

No matter what hardship you may face in life, it is still easier to bear than seeing this great evil and working in places upon which the curse may fall, and earning haraam money in which there is nothing good for you or your family. So hasten to get out of this bad situation. 

We ask Allaah to make things easier for you and to provide for you out of His bounty. 

And Allaah knows best.