I work in a hotel as a deputy manager and as manager of reception. Is this job regarded as haram or makrooh, because the hotel sells alcohol, but I have nothing to do with selling it, buying it, carrying it or serving it – on the contrary my job is solely administrative. Thank you.
Praise be to Allah.
It is not permissible to work in a hotel in which sins are committed, such as drinking alcohol, zina and so on, because it is helping in sin and transgression and failing to denounce evil. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Quran) that when you hear the Verses of Allah 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, Allah will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell”
[An-Nisa’ 4:140]
Al-Qurtubi said: The words of Allah “then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that” mean something other than kufr. “(but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them” this indicates that it is essential to avoid sinners if they are committing evil openly, because the one who does not avoid them is approving of their actions, and approving of kufr is itself kufr. Allah says “certainly in that case you would be like them”, so everyone who sits in a sinful gathering and does not denounce them shares the burden of sin with them.
He should denounce them if they speak sinful words or commit sinful actions; if he is not able to denounce them then he should get up and leave them, so that he will not be among the people mentioned in this verse.
It was narrated that ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) caught some people drinking alcohol, and it was said to him that one of the people present was fasting, but he carried out the punishment on him too and recited this verse: “certainly in that case you would be like them”, i.e., approving of a sin is also sin. Hence the one who did it and the one who approved of it were both punished for sin, so they are all doomed.
The similarity between the two does not apply in all aspects, but they may appear to be partners in the sin, because a person is influenced by his companion.
Moreover there is the fear that if a person works in such places his faith will become weak and he will lose any sense of gheerah (protective jealousy, pride). The Shaytan may entice him to commit sin. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaytan (Satan). And whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytan (Satan), then, verily, he commands Al‑Fahsha’ [i.e. to commit indecency (illegal sexual intercourse)], and Al‑Munkar [disbelief and polytheism (i.e. to do evil and wicked deeds; and to speak or to do what is forbidden in Islam)]”
[An-Noor 24:21]
Remember the words of Allah (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things”
[At-Talaq 65:2-3]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives up a thing for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better than that.” Classed as sahih by al-Albani. Do not forget that no soul will ever die until it has been given its full provision, sooner or later.
We ask Allah to help you to give up this job willingly and to compensate you with something better than it, and to grant you provision by His bounty, and to grant us and you sufficient means from that which is permissible so that we have no need of that which is forbidden.
And Allah knows best.
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