Question
Reference number: 630173 | Prayers | April 28, 2019
What is the ruling on performing the prayer in places such as restaurants where wine is sold and served?
Answer
Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.
Working in restaurants or bars where haram foods and drinks such as pork or wine are served is not allowed. Working there, whether the owner of such a restaurant is Muslim or not, is haram. However, if anyone is forced by necessity to work in such places, they can work as long as this is not their preference. For example, if one has been looking for a job for a long time, but they could not find, and so they will face a difficult life or be subjected to hardship, they can work. This is considered a necessity. Thus, they are allowed to work provided that, they do their best not to serve the haram foods or drinks; they should insist on finding a new job and keep searching till they find the suitable one. Once they find the appropriate job, they should immediately quit and work in the new place even if the salary is less.
Regarding performing the prayer, the Muslim worker should not pray in the same place where haram foods and drinks are served. Instead, they should find another pure and virtuous place. If it is difficult to be far or to find another place, they should pray in the farthest place in the same restaurant where pork or wine cannot be close to him.