Date : 30-11-2011

Question :

Having a degree in food engineering, I get to work in a wide spectrum of fields. Lately, I had a job interview with a company in charge of permitting exported foods that meet certain standards to enter into Jordan. Sometimes, my job includes testing wine and reporting whether it fits the standards or not and whether it is to be allowed into the country or not. It is worth mentioning that I do this occasionally and upon request of employer. Is it unlawful to work for such company and is my salary unlawful as well?

The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.


Working in the area of lawful foods is permissible, however, it is forbidden to work in the area of wine products as it is the mother of all evils and it is clearly prohibited by Quran statement. Allah the Almighty says {What means}: " O ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan’s handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed. Satan seeketh only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of strong drink and games of chance, and to turn you from remembrance of Allah and from (His) worship. Will ye then have done?" {Al-Ma`idah, 90-91}. Anas said that God’s Messenger cursed ten people in connection with wine: the wine-presser, the one who has it pressed, the one who drinks it, the one who conveys it, the one to whom it is conveyed, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who benefits from the price paid for it, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought. {Related by Tirmidhi}.


Allah the Almighty commanded us to help one another in piety and righteousness, not sin and rancor. He the Almighty says {What means}: "Help not one another unto sin and transgression, but keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is severe in punishment." {Al-Ma`idah, 2}. Moreover, it is imperative that a Muslim minds Allah as much as possible. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.