[thechat] Islam -- alcohol

[Chris Marsh]

Dear all

Following on from my last post, I do actually have a question about
Muslim practices. I went to a mini-Tesco the other day to pick up a
bottle of wine amongst other things. The guy that served me was a
muslim. He refused to physically touch the bottle of wine, and the whole
place ground to a halt as someone had to go and get a manager to serve
me (for some reason a manager was required) while the individual in
question just stood there staring into space with a vacuous expression
on his face.

This made me wonder a little. I was under the impression that a muslim
should not drink alcohol because it corrupts the body. If this is the
case, why would this guy care whether or not he physically touched a
bottle containing alcohol? If however, alcohol is not permitted because
it corrupts society (which make sense of him not wanting to touch the
bottle; it being a matter of principle) how could he reconcile working
in an establishment that promotes alcohol?

I would be interested in the comment of practicing muslims.

Regards

Chris Marsh