Is My Earning Halal If I Work in a Mixed Halal and Haram Restaurant?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

My father owns a restaurant; I would like to know if my income is from a halal source. He sells chicken and hamburgers that are not slaughtered Islamically and also sells chicken that is slaughtered Islamically. I would like to know what part of the job working there would be permitted.

Can I fry the haram chicken, or should I work only at the cash register?

Can I help my dad season the chicken in the morning and help take down the chicken from the car when he brings it in the morning?

Can I hand the chicken to the customers for to-go orders inside the bag?
The entire restaurant is to-go, not dine-in.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

I pray you are well. Thank you for seeking guidance.

Any income which is from a source that is considered filth and of no value will be void. Non-halal meat and hamburgers are considered filth and of importance. One cannot derive benefit from it.

“If one or both of the subject matter of sale is unlawful (haram), then the transaction will become invalid (fasid), such as selling a dead animal (unlawfully slaughtered), blood, wine or pork.” [Maydani, Al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]

In your case, you should avoid all of the above except for working at the cashier, with dislikedness (makruh). You may consider your source of income from selling halal slaughtered chicken and other halal food items.

Also, with wisdom and respect, you may advise your father to serve only halal slaughtered meat and chicken and stop selling hamburgers. Generally, non-Muslim customers don’t differentiate between halal and non-halal preferences. Your father will be only making a sacrifice of not selling hamburgers.

Abu Qatadah reports that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allah (Most High), but that Allah will replace it with something better for you.” [Ahmad]

We pray to Allah Most High to give you wisdom and respect to make a change. Take a gradual step in everything you do.

Check out this link here:
Can I Work at an Establishment That Sells Haram Food? (seekersguidance.org)

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on Seekersguidance?
SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org)

I pray this helps with your question.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani