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Question:
I am HR in hospitality meaning I help out a lot of low-income families to find jobs and make sure they get better paid but I also help the company hire bartenders for the restaurant which means I am helping find a good bartender who can help with the sale of alcohol. So I feel that I am contributing to the sale or promotion of alcohol but I could be wrong. I am already looking for a different job. My company wants me back once they open again. Is my income halal or not because I am helping the company find good bartenders? Please advise.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The act of finding a bartender for a company is prohibited because it entails helping others in committing sin and facilitating it. Allah تعالى says:
وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ
Translation: And do not assist one another in sin and aggression. (Surah Maidah: verse 2).
Nevertheless, if the HR is paid for making themselves available for a specific period to carry out some work, e.g. 9am-5pm (5 days/weekly), then the income will be halal (permissible) because in such a case the salary would be in exchange for the employee’s time, not necessarily for finding bartenders (Mukhtasar Al-Quduri: p. 343 [Bushra]). The duties of an HR vary and are not confined to sinful activities, thus we suggest you reconcile with your employer and explain to him that due to your religious beliefs you cannot assist them with anything alcohol-related or do anything that contradicts your religious beliefs. If they comply, well and good, otherwise, we advise you to seek employment elsewhere.
Do not fear poverty. Just as Allah (SWT) sustained you when you were in the womb of your mother and during childhood, He will sustain you now and always. Also, observe taqwa (obey Allah’s commandments and abstain from His disobedience). When you inculcate the quality of taqwa, Allah تعالى will provide you; as a matter of fact, this is His promise:
وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ
Translation: Whoever fears Allah, Allah will make a way out for him and provide him from where he could perceive not. (Surah At-Talaaq: verse 2-3)
Also, recite Surah Al Waqia every night; The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “ One who recites Surah Al Waqia every night will never be afflicted by poverty.” (Muntakhab Ahadith: p. 291, Hadith 53 [Zam Zam]). Have conviction in the words of Allah تعالى and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and continue making dua to Allah تعالى for ease and halal sustenance.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham