Do u guys find it wrong to go to a pub for a meal / drink (obviously non-alcoholic) with your colleagues as part of a social gathering?
This is quite common in the UK as Xmas is round d corner and a lot of ppl are encouraged to socialise in such places - but does anyone find it wrong? if so, why?
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
It's fine to go, socialize with your colleagues and have a diet coke, water or just orange juice.
I don't see see anything wrong with that. People never forced me to drink. If somebody offers to buy me a drink, I ask for a diet something or just mineral water. No pressure, just fun and banter after a long hard year with your comrades.
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
I hate clubs, pubs and anything associated with it. Anytime my friends or someone asks me to go there, I just decline. I just do not enjoy the environment, never been there so I may be stereotyping.
I enjoy resturants though and just general outdoors.
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
Humm....Mixed views...
I can relate to LuxuryItem, dats wat i tend to do really...
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
You cannot go to a place where alcohol is served let alone have dinner or socialize while others are drinking…
Explain in clear precise terms that your religion prohibits it and stay away…
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
That'd be extremley impolite if I am at someone's home and alcohol is being served. Also, almost ALL non-Muslim restaurents have a licquor license.
Islam is not inflexible and living in the West where alcohol (served or available) can't be avoided, it's impractical to practise what you are suggesting.
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
I don't see see anything wrong with that. People never forced me to drink. If somebody offers to buy me a drink, I ask for a diet something or just mineral water. No pressure, just fun and banter after a long hard year with your comrades.
are you a communist? :)
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
No it’s not…Try inviting an orthodox Jew for a kosher meal…He’ll refuse you flat out that your pots and pans are not Kosher and refuse to eat with you…
Second thing being, it’s not very practical to follow Islam in the first place…There’s no question of being flexible or not…You either do it or you don’t…
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
That's their problem. If they choose to isolate themselves from others, I'd rather not be following their example.
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Second thing being, it's not very practical to follow Islam in the first place...There's no question of being flexible or not...You either do it or you don't...
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No, I disagree. Islam is a very simple and pragmatic religion. Also, if I were to extend your logic, I won't be able to stay in a country that has unjust foreign or domestic policies, has an established practise of usury/interest, abortion, etc. How far are you going to go with this?
Quibbling over whether to meet your friends for a holiday cheer at a pub/bar/restaurent is a waste of time. If this is all Muslims are worrying about today, then they need to open their eyes and worry about BIGGER problems facing the Muslim world.
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
Mr Lajo, you arent making alot of sense. Although I kind of get the idea of what you're feeling and saying, I have to disagree.
Inviting an orthodox jewish person for a meal means that strict dietary guidelines must be followed. Inviting (any religious follower, orthodox Jew, conservative Muslim etc) for a holiday gathering is just that....have a coke, a spring water, a juice ... and socialize. There of course will be others there who partake of drinks with alcohol but you are not asked or expected to do the same.
If you're saying that you cannot be in the same place as alcohol, then you are severely limiting yourself as to where you can go. Airports, malls, restaurants. Have you ever been to any of these places? Or you avoid them because they are dens of sin?
Do you really think God/Allah is going to send you to hell (or even chastise you mildly) for socializing with colleagues? While sipping a pepsi and they sip on a beer? Thats not a God/Allah that I know.
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
Good responses to Lajawabs view. Lajjo, I think yours is a very extreme and fundamentalist view with no basis from the Quran.
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
Do you travel in planes and trains, they serve alcohol there. Do you get off the train as soon as you see alcohol being served?
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
What does wrong mean? As in are you commiting a sin?
I know when i did it once it didnt feel right. Just the whole enviroment is not something i like, people drinking like crazy, gay people at the bar, etc. On top of that, the waiter tried putting his hand on my back in a "friendly" way and NO ONE touches me, I felt like smacking him with my embelished purse.
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
I am gonna say this for a millionth time on GS but rules from Quran and sunnah dont change because we have started to think its okay to do certain things. What was wrong back than is still wrong.
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
so no one drinks here?
BTW lajjo your view are very extreme, but still its your opinion.
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
Phat, the very vast majority of the time, a holiday party at work is just a nice relaxing time to get to know your colleagues. What you experienced sounds like a wild party which is not very typical at all in corporate america. Decorum is the order of the day, and when it isnt followed from what I've seen, it IS seen and counts against any offenders.
And once again I have to remind you all....if you go to any sort of gathering where there is alcohol being served, you in no way are expected to or even encouraged to partake of it yourself. If things begin to get out of hand, leave.
I have to say at this point that from experience, I've seen many gatherings in "alcohol is ok" places. They tend to be very civil and upright gatherings where people have a beer or two, a nice social time then go home. In places where alcohol is strictly forbidden, the tendency is much more for the partakers to partake till they puke or pass out. That does say something about human nature.
But thats a different issue from whats being discussed in this thread. I just think its OK OK OK for everyone to get together in a social setting, a BAR, some partaking, some not. This is not a sin. No way, no how.
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
:D thats how i feel
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
You are not supposed to sit in the company of those who are drinking, that is forbidden...Going to bars and pubs is forbidden because they explicitly serve alcohol...As for restaurants where alcohol is being served, avoid them much as possible...Avoid eating and drinking with those who are drinking...
For myself, I'll go, but I will avoid doing things which are prohibited...There are those who will argue that even going to such gatherings where men and women sit together is Haram...I can argue with them that it's OK, Islam is not such a strict religion and give my justifications, but for the most part, it all depends upon how strong you are in your beliefs...Unfortunately, I would be considered a weak believer, for I know myself...
And as far as planes and trains are concerned, that is beyond your control, so you can't help it...And you are not really eating and drinking with those people...
Look, it is really up to yourselves to see how how knowledgeable you are and how strong you are in beliefs and how strong in implementing those beliefs...
For some Muslims it is too much to ask for them to give up drinking and they'll give you rock solid justifications in why they can drink...And I have received many justifications ranging from drinking in moderation to just not drinking when there's Azaan going on...
So really, I am not here to stop you from doing anything...That is up to you...I am just saying what is wrong and right according to my beliefs...There is no compulsion in religion and you are free to practice what you believe...
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
or hang outside on the wing of a plane when the drinks are being served?
Re: Do u guys find it wrong?
I finished my share in undergrad..and probably the shares of a few dozen others, but that is besides the point.
Moving on..
People need to understand the difference between these places first, a pub is not a club..pr vice versa.
Very few ppl go to ‘clubs’ to geta drink after work. mostly its local pubs, sports bars, etc.
go get yerself a coke or an iced tea, chill. play some pool, darts, shuffle board..whetever they got going there, enjoy each other’s company and go on your merry way.