Q. Some people from Asia and the Middle East living here in the US have their own fast food restaurants where they serve pork and wine along with normal types of food and drink. They argue that because other restaurants serve these, their business could not survive unless they did the same, since the majority of customers are non-Muslims who want to have such items available. Is it permissible in the circumstances to do so?
A. Mohiuddin • Washington, D.C.
A. People advance all sorts of reasons to argue for the relaxation of religious restrictions. These reasons are always based on their personal and immediate interests, as they see these interests. But we should approach Islamic rules and principles in a different way. We should aim at implementing them to the best of our ability. When we have done that, we can look for concessions and relaxations if these are needed.
What we find in this argument is nothing more than looking for an easy way out. Restaurant owners want to have the full benefit of selling what the customers want, without looking at ways and means of doing business within the Islamic rules. Hence, they sell such forbidden stuff persuading themselves that as long as they themselves do not eat pork or drink wines, they are not violating Islamic rules.
Other restaurant and hotel owners try to go round the restriction in a different way. They enter into some sort of business arrangement whereby a non-Muslim owns and serves the forbidden drinks. They give the place on rent and the non-Muslim provides the service. This is certainly better than doing this forbidden business themselves, but it is not acceptable from the Islamic point of view, since one is renting one’s own property to a business that is totally un-Islamic for the particular purpose of serving one’s own interests.
It may be true that restaurants that do not serve alcoholic drinks cannot compete with similar ones serving such drinks in a non-Muslim community. But it is not true that such restaurants cannot be a profitable business, even in a community with a heavy non-Muslim majority. The important thing is to know what the local community or the prospective customers need and provide it within Islamic principles. In London, one of the most successful and highly popular Indian restaurants does not serve any alcoholic drinks and advertises that it serves only halal meat. Yet its popularity is the envy of any other restaurant. This is due to the quality of the food, efficient service and reasonable prices. Muslim restaurant owners should think on these lines, rather than try to contravene Islamic rules. It is not allowed for a Muslim to sell pork or wines. No one can relax this prohibition except God, but since He has not, we have to abide by it.
Taraweeh Prayer on Television
Q. Now that Saudi satellite channels broadcast taraweeh prayer from the Haram in Makkah, is it permissible for me to join such prayer at home in India. The spiritual satisfaction I feel, if I do so, is priceless. It is as if I am with the congregation in the Haram itself. If this is not valid, can I pray in the local mosque normally and then join the television taraweeh just to capture that spiritual feeling?
Abdul-Waheed Khan • India
A. Following or joining a congregational prayer in one’s home as it is shown on television or broadcast on radio is not valid. This ruling applies even to people in Makkah who may feel that in Ramadan or in the pilgrimage season they may be doing a favor for their brethren coming from distant countries if they would pray at home to reduce the crowding at the Haram. The reason is very clear and simple. If people were to do so, they would soon make this a habit and stay at home for all prayers, since they can join it in their own home, watching television.
Moreover, if this is to become a normal habit, it could easily be extended and given a wider application. People everywhere would do the same in their own hometowns and cities, offering Friday prayer at home, rather than going to the local mosque, simply because they feel this to be more convenient. Over the years people could extend this further and start fasting according to the times applicable in Makkah. They would argue that Islam started there and if they follow the Makkah timetable they would be fulfilling their duty of fasting in its original form. All this is wrong. People should offer their worship in their locality, with the local congregation and according to the local times.
What you could do is just watch the prayer with concentration on the Qur’an being recited and the worship offered. You could also supplicate and glorify God when the congregation is in their prostration or other functions. This should give you nearly the same spiritual satisfaction.
