Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I am working in Morrison’s and I’m on the check outs, I wanted to know that because I am dealing with haram things such as beef, pork, ham is it haram for me to touch them things? Also is there anything I can do for e.g. I already do wudu every time I come and go from work and I always make fresh wudu when reading namaz in break times during my shifts at work. so cold you tell me what Islam says about this?
Walaikum assalam,
1. It would be permitted to work on the check out of a supermarket that sells things Muslims consider impermissible (such as pork, alcohol, wine, or food items with haram ingredients). One’s earnings will be lawful (halal). This is the position of Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah have mercy on him).
One should, however, dislike such items in one’s heart: loving that which Allah loves and hating that which Allah hates is from true faith. (For the reasoning, see first appended answer, below.)
This ruling refers to doing so in a non-Muslim country or in non-Muslim areas in a Muslim country.
2. It is not permitted to sell such items in one’s own supermarket. If one does, it is sinful. The revenue generated from such sales is unlawful. It would be obligatory to:
(a) repent from one’s error itself (through remorse, seeking forgiveness, and determining not to repeat the sin), and
(b) giving away the unlawfully earned money to the poor. (See second answer below.)
3. It is not haram to touch unlawful items, especially when there is a need. Normally, meats are wrapped, and the alcohol in bottles.
As such, there will be no transfer of filth (najasa) onto one’s hands or body. Given this, there is no need to renew your ablutions (wudu) before praying. It may be best, though, to wash your hands, when it is reasonably easy to do so.
And Allah alone gives success.
Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.