Question: Is it permissible for a person to eat in a place selling alcohol or what they call ‘halal’ restaurants in a pub?
Answer: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said ‘Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day then he should not sit where alcohol is being served.’ (narrated by Imams Ahmad, Nasai, Tirmidhi). When there are permissible options why would a Muslim go to such places except to fulfil unlawful desires. Alcohol is considered ‘umm alkhabaith’ (mother of depravity) in Islam and this is because the one intoxicated may do unspeakable things or in other cases become vulnerable to be abused by others. Alcohol and fornication in its various forms are ailments that have become too prevalent amongst Muslims. One of the reasons is that people have become relaxed regarding those things which are a means to these abominations and this is why going to such restaurants is haram.
Answered by Shaykh Asrar Rashid
Approved by Mufti Muhammad Saeed Ahmad Mujaddidi (Darul Ifta ‘Ilmiyyah)