Is It Sinful to Skip ID Checks When Delivering Alcohol Due to Safety Concerns?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Is it sinful to skip ID checks for alcohol delivery due to safety concerns? When delivering alcohol, I am required to check if the customer is sober and verify their ID, but I only ask for their date of birth and input it into the app. I avoid checking IDs because it often causes issues and could endanger my safety.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
It would not be sinful to avoid checking their IDs, but you would be going against your work contract, and you should speak to your employer if you think it will endanger you. Also, regarding alcohol delivery, it would only be permissible if you are delivering as part of purchased goods from a supermarket, and you will indirectly assist in sin. [Usmani, Fiqh al-Buyu‘]
Assistance in Sin
In the Hanafi school, this has levels:
– It is haram to do that which is a direct cause for sin;
– It is disliked doing that which is an indirect cause for sin;
– It is better to avoid that which could be a cause for sin.
The distinctions are subtle, however, and one should consult with scholars regarding particular cases. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The lawful is clear, and the unlawful is clear. Between them are unclear matters that most do not know about.” [Bukhari; Muslim]
[Ibn ’Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Zaylai, Tabyin al-Haqaiq]
It is, however, better to adopt a different line of work if one can without difficulty or hardship to avoid the difference of opinion on the issue and due to the generally disliked nature of such work.
I would like you to go through the valuable answer in the link below. In sha Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.
– Is It Permissible to Deliver Haram Things to Non-Muslims?
I pray this helps answer your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
