Ruling on washing dishes used for pork and wine

Question: 444611

Question: I have a brother in Germany who works for a cleaning company that cleans places, houses, offices, markets, etc. Now, the company has contracted with a large market in Germany, and he will work on this project. His job will be cleaning only, but the market has alcohol, and there is a restaurant serving pork. His work involves cleaning the market, including the restaurant, which contains alcohol and pork. He does not clean the utensils, but he will clean the place, the windows, the chairs, and such things, as the company is a cleaning company. So, the question is: Is it permissible for him to work in these things or not?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

Firstly:

It is not permissible to work in washing dishes used for wine and pork.

In "Fatawa Al-Lajnah Ad-Da'imah" (14/414), it states: "Q: We are here in the Netherlands, young Muslims, holding on to our religion, praise be to Allah, but the available jobs here all involve wine and restaurants that serve pork, alongside other meats. Is it permissible to work washing dishes that are used for pork, as a means of earning a living? Please advise us, may Allah benefit you, and may Allah guide us and you and reward you with goodness.

A: It is not permissible for you to work in places that sell alcohol or serve it to customers, nor to work in restaurants that serve pork to customers, or sell it to customers, even if there are other meats or foods involved, whether your job involves selling or serving them, or washing their dishes, due to the cooperation in sin and aggression, and Allah has forbidden this by saying (interpretation of the meaning): {And do not cooperate in sin and aggression}.

There is no necessity that compels you to do this, for the earth of Allah is vast, the lands of the Muslims are many, and the permissible jobs in them are also many, so be with the Muslim community in a country where permissible work is available. Allah Almighty says (interpretation of the meaning): {And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out* And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah, then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent} and He says (interpretation of the meaning): {And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him of his matter ease}.

Shaykh `Abdullah bin Qu`ud … Shaykh `Abdullah bin Ghudayyan … Shaykh `Abdul Razzaq `Afifi … Shaykh `Abdul `Aziz bin `Abdullah bin Baz". End quote

Secondly:

As for working with a cleaning company, part of whose work is cleaning restaurants that sell wine and pork, meaning cleaning the place, chairs, and windows, without cleaning the dishes, it appears to be permissible for those who need it, for two reasons:

The first: Cleaning the restaurant is not a direct or intended assistance in consuming wine or pork, and assistance, if it is not direct or intended, is permissible.

Please see the answer to question number: 247586 .

The second: Cleaning restaurants falls under cleaning markets, so it is secondary, and things are overlooked in secondary matters that are not overlooked in others.

If a person finds work other than cleaning, it is preferable.

And Allah knows best.

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