An Accountant Employed At A Restaurant Serving Alcohol

There is a general rule which has to be kept in mind regarding the income one earns; and that is if more than 50% of the income is acquired through Halaal sources, the income will be regarded as Halaal, and if 50% or more of the income is acquired through Haraam sources, the income will be regarded as Haraam.

Therefore, if the alcohol or any other Haraam product sold and served in the restaurant accounts for 50% or more of the income, it will be regarded Haraam. Generally in a restaurant of this nature which incorporates a bar wherein alcohol is served, the latter situation would apply because when the restaurant owner has no scruples in serving liquor to his clients, he would have no scruples in serving Haraam food either and earning his livelihood from such Haraam methods. This would result in all or the major portion of the restaurant being derived from Haraam transactions and it is this same income that will be utilized to pay the accountant’s salary. Based on this, the accountant’s salary would not be deemed to be Halaal. He must leave this employment as soon as is possible and look for some other employment elsewhere.

The issue of accepting an invitation is based on the income of the host. The general rule regarding the permissibility of consuming food, accepting gifts, etc. from someone is that the majority of the income will be taken into consideration, as was mentioned above.

However, if it is known with certainty that one is being accommodated through Haraam wealth, it will be unlawful to accept the invitation, even if more than 50% of the income of the host is through Halaal sources. Similarly, if it is known with certainty that one is being accommodated through Halaal wealth, it will be permissible to accept the invitation, even if 50% or more of the income of the host is through Haraam sources.