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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Business Ethics 7.2 Your Business B 1) Haram Business and Trade Intoxicating Drinks Almighty Allah says, “They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say, ‘In both of them there is a great sin and profits for men, but their sin is greater than their profits’.” (2:219) It is haram to deal with intoxicating drinks in any shape or form: selling, buying, using it as rent or payment for a job, etc.

It is haram to sell grapes and dates to a customer who buys them for making intoxicant drinks. It is haram to rent out a real estate property for making, selling or buying intoxicants. Question : Can I buy a building in which one of the tenants operates a liquor store or a pub? Answer : You may buy the building but must terminate the lease of that particular tenant as soon as possible based on the agreement (i.e., immediately or at the renewal time).

It is haram to rent out a vehicle for transporting intoxicants. It is haram to work for a company that produces such drinks, in any form of job: as a driver, worker, accountant, guard, typist, etc. It is not permissible for a Muslim to sell or serve intoxicating drinks, or even to wash the glasses used for that purpose. Wages from such work are unlawful. Question : Can I work as a cashier in a grocery shop that also sells alcohol?

Answer : Your job as a cashier is okay; however, a portion of your salary representing the percentage of work for selling alcohol will be illegitimate. Similarly, it is not permissible for a Muslim artist, calligrapher, designer, web-designer, printer, or publisher to prepare and promote an advertisement for intoxicating drinks. This would amount to promoting immorality, and it is not permissible even if that Muslim is going to lose future business from such customers.

Muslims are not allowed to buy intoxicating drinks for their customers at business lunch or dinner party. The Prophet said, “Allah has cursed the intoxicating drinks, he who squeezes it out [from grapes], he who plants [grapes, etc. for intoxicants], he who drinks it, he who serves it, he who sells it, he who buys it, he who earns from it, he who transports it and he to whom it is transported.” [^1] Methyl Alcohol : The above ruling applies to intoxicating drinks.

Therefore, intoxicants that are not made for human consumption are not covered by prohibition or ritual impurity (najasat).