Working as Waiter in Restaurant

Q: Is it permissible to work as waiter in a restaurant or hotel?

A: It will be permissible if the person is not handling Haraam food or alcohol.The Holy Qur'aan, in two places, viz Surah Baqarah, verse 219, and Surah Maa-idah, verse 90, has sternly condemned wine and branded its consumption a major sin. Also in Surah Maa-idah, verse 2, Almighty Allah prohibits us to help people in committing sin. The conclusion we thus get from these verses is that to work for a place that sells and serves wine is haraam and a major sin.Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, should not sit at a meal where wine is served.” Hence working in a restaurant that serves wine is Haraam and very sinful. If food is Haraam for a Muslim to consume, then serving it to others is also Haraam. (Durre-e-Mukhtaar)

Mufti Siraj Desai