Is It Permissible To Do Electrical Work for a Bar or Pub?

Is it permissible to do electrical work for a bar or pub?

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

May Allah, Most High reward you for your desire to increase in knowledge, and may he place blessings in your sustenance.

Working as an electrician is a permissible and noble job. However, when having to perform electric work at an establishment that sells impermissible products like alcohol, one must consider the following:

It is permissible for an electrician to fix all appliances that are not associated with alcohol in any way nor connected to any other impermissible action/product. For example; bathrooms, sink, lights, etc.

It is impermissible for an electrician to fix an appliance that is associated with alcohol or any other impermissible action/product. For example; the hose for the “on tap” drinks, the wine storage, etc.

[Ibn Abidin, al-Hashiya]

The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Wine is cursed from ten angles: The wine itself, the one who squeezes it (the grapes, etc), the one for whom it is squeezed, the one who sells it, the one who buys it, the one who carries it, the one to whom it is carried, the one who consumes its price, the one who drinks it and the one who pours it.” [Ibn Maja, al-Sunan]

As you own the business, you should strive to take on tasks that are in accordance with the pleasure of Allah, Most High.

If you are in a dire situation (I.e. not able to pay rent, feed the family), then you may complete the task as long as you repent to Allah, Most High, and are actively looking for another job.

Never forget about the immense reward in leaving something for the sake of Allah, Most High;

“You never leave something for the sake of Allah, except that he replaces it with something better for you. ”[Ahmad, al-Musnad]

Please see:

And Allah alone knows best,

[Ustadh] Omar Popal

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani