The Ruling on Working in Alcoholic Drink Factories

Question :

What is the ruling on a Muslim employee working in factories in which nothing is made except the juice for wine and intoxicants?

Answer:

Wine and all kinds of intoxicants are forbidden. Establishing factories for their production and working with them are all forbidden. For it is reported on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, that he said: "I heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying:

"Jibril, peace be upon him, came to me and said: "O Muhammad! Verily, Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful has cursed Khamr and the one who makes it, the one who drinks it, the one who transports it, the one to whom he transports it, the one who sells it, the one who buys it, the one who pours it and the one for whom it is poured."

This was mentioned by Al-Haythami in Majma Az-Zawa'id and he said: "Narrated by Ahmad and At-Tabarani and its narrators. are all reliable." And it was also narrated by Abu Dawud and Al- Hakim, with the addition:

"and the one who presses it."

So it is not permissible for this person who is employed in factories where alcoholic drinks are produced to remain there, due to the above-mentioned Hadith which proves that he is cursed. And, because it is a form of cooperation in sin and transgression. Allah, Most High has said:
"Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression."

As for the employment which has already passed while he was ignorant, he is excused for that, according to the generality of the Words of Him, Most High:
"And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning)."

The revelation was sent down to the Messenger from Allah, and he informed the community of it, and the worshipper is not held accountable until after he has informed him, as he was obliged to do (i.e., until after the information has reached him).