Question
I work in a health care setting (long-term care and hospital) where I plate food and hand it to the residents. Sometimes these plates include pork. This is my job and the menu is predetermined.
Answer:
Firstly: The ruling on working with pork
It is well established in Islamic law that pork is najis (impure) and haram (prohibited) to eat, sell, buy, or assist in the promotion or distribution of. Allah says:
“He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah.”
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:173)
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“When Allah forbids something, He forbids its price.”
(Abu Dawood; classed as sahih by al-Albani)
Therefore, it is not permissible to directly handle, serve, or assist in the delivery of pork. This includes preparing, cooking, packaging, or plating pork products.
Secondly: The principle of cooperation in sin
The Qur’an forbids cooperation in sin and transgression:
“And do not cooperate in sin and transgression, but cooperate in righteousness and piety.”
(Surah al-Ma’idah 5:2)
Plating and handing over pork to patients—even if not done by choice—falls under a form of assistance in haram, unless one is compelled or has no alternative and is working to change their situation.
Thirdly:
- If you can request a change of duties so that you do not handle or serve pork—such as serving other foods or taking on a different role—then you are required to do so.
- If you cannot change your duties immediately, and you fear losing your job and your livelihood depends on this income, then some scholars allow continuing temporarily out of necessity, while actively seeking a halal alternative. The obligation in that case is to repent, seek forgiveness, and work diligently to leave the haram aspect of the job.
- If serving pork is a minor, occasional task among a job that is otherwise halal (e.g., general care, patient support), and you are making efforts to avoid the specific task or reduce your involvement in it, then the sin is lighter but still not permitted without valid necessity.
Fourthly: What you should do
- Ask your supervisor if you can be reassigned to tasks that do not involve pork.
- Make sincere du‘ā and seek halal alternatives.
- If needed, tolerate temporary difficulty to preserve your religious integrity, for the reward from Allah is greater.
- Remember that one who leaves something for the sake of Allah, Allah replaces it with something better.
And Allah knows best.