Is It Permissible to Work in Grocery Stores Like Walmart or FreshCo?

Question: Is it permissible to work in a grocery store such as Walmart or FreshCo?

Summary:

Working in stores like Walmart or FreshCo is permissible if the job involves only lawful products and does not assist in selling or handling forbidden items. However, if the work includes dealing with alcohol, pork, or other prohibited goods, it is not allowed according to the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the statements of the scholars.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

The basic principle regarding jobs and transactions is permissibility, as Allah says:

From the Qur'an:

  • Surah al-Baqarah 2:29
    “He is the One Who created for you all that is on the earth.”

    So any type of work that is permissible in itself and does not involve sin or helping in sin is lawful in Islam.

These large stores (like Walmart, FreshCo, Superstore, etc.) sell a wide variety of products: Permissible food and drink. And sometimes forbidden items such as pork, alcohol, or products with prohibited symbols. Therefore, the ruling depends on the type of work the Muslim does in the store: Examples: working in the fruits and vegetables section, bakery, dairy, clothing, or as a cashier who does not handle forbidden items. This is permissible, because the work involves lawful goods and does not aid in sin.

From the Qur'an:

  • Surah al-Ma’idah 5:2
    “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and transgression.”

    So as long as your work does not involve assisting in sin, there is no harm. Working in Selling, Carrying, or Arranging Alcohol, Pork, or Similar Prohibited Items This is strictly forbidden by consensus, even if you do not personally consume it. Because you are assisting in a sin by your hand or action.

From the Sunnah:

  • Sunan Abi Dawud 3674 authenticated by al-AlbaniThe Prophet ﷺ said:
    “Allah has cursed alcohol, the one who drinks it, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who buys it, the one who presses it, the one for whom it is pressed, the one who carries it, and the one to whom it is carried.”

    This includes anyone who helps in its sale or transport. The well-known principle: “Whatever leads to the forbidden is itself forbidden.” This is a universally accepted rule among Ahl al-Sunnah.

Example: a cashier who occasionally handles alcohol or pork along with other products. In this case, it is forbidden to directly sell or scan such items. If the person is forced to take the job and has no other option, then he should: Strive to move to a permissible section or role. Seek forgiveness and repentance from Allah. Keep searching for a completely lawful source of income. Because although lawful income might seem less, it brings blessing, while unlawful earnings are devoid of blessing.

From the Scholars:

  • (Fatawa Nur ‘ala al-Darb)(Majmu‘ Fatawa Ibn Baz 19/46)(Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, 13/55)
    The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta (Saudi Arabia): “It is not permissible for a Muslim to work in a store that sells alcohol, pork, or anything that Allah has forbidden, whether as a seller, cashier, carrier, or organizer, because this is considered cooperation in sin and transgression.” Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him): “If his work is limited to permissible things, there is no problem. But if it involves helping in selling, carrying, or arranging forbidden items, it is not allowed, because Allah forbade cooperation in sin and transgression.” Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him): “Working in a place where forbidden items are sold is not permissible if the person directly deals with them. But if he works in another section unrelated to the haram, then there is no harm.”

And Allah knows best.

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