Is It Permissible to Handle Luggage That May Contain Haram Items?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

Is it permissible to work as an aircraft cleaner and handle luggage or cargo without knowing if it contains haram items like alcohol or cigarettes? Do I need to investigate its contents, or is this excessive?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

It is permissible to work as an aircraft cleaner and handle luggage/cargo, even if that luggage may contain sinful items. You are not accountable for the sinful items as you have not assisted in that sin directly or indirectly. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.

There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.

Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.