Mixing with non-Muslims who drink alcohol

25-5-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

I work at a hospital in the UK and sometimes I get invited to educational meetings or social events within the work atmosphere. During these meetings the non-Muslims drinks alcohol and there is no separate place for me to avoid setting with these people when they are drinking. I want to know if I can still attend these meetings which actually give me the chance to meet members who might help me in my career? I am a qualified doctor, Muslim and I dress in an Islamic way and try to keep well with my religion in all aspects. But I also like my job which helps me to support my family.

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

It is not permissible to sit at a dining table where wine is drunk, for the Hadith reported by Ahmad from Umar (Radiya Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Everyone who has faith in Allah and in the Last Day should not sit at a dining table where wine is passed around" .
The reason of this ruling is that this practice leads to an increase in the number of evil people at this gathering; it may also cause the wrath of Allah to descend upon all those who are at that place.
In a word, it is not permissible for you to be present there. As for sharing some knowledge, it is possible through other ways such as reading books, etc.
We draw our sister's attention to avoid mixing with men in her work place as much as possible.
Allah knows best.