Can I go to a work holiday party without drinking?
Yes, in most cases. Many scholars allow you to attend a work holiday party if you don't drink, don't pour or serve alcohol, skip any religious rituals and leave when the evening turns into heavy drinking. Scholars differ about parties built around alcohol, so plan ahead and choose what you are comfortable with.
Is it allowed?
The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not sit at a spread where khamr (intoxicating drink) is passed around (Jami at-Tirmidhi 2801). Scholars apply this in different ways. A team dinner where a few colleagues order wine while your own place has soft drinks is allowed by many. A party where the open bar is the main event is something most scholars advise avoiding, or leaving early. For the wider discussion about December events, see Can I go to the office Christmas party as a Muslim?
What to drink instead
- Get a drink first. Head to the bar or the drinks table as soon as you arrive. A full glass in your hand stops most offers.
- Easy choices: sparkling water with lime, juice, ginger ale, tea, coffee or a mocktail.
- Skip look-alikes such as 0.0% beer or wine glasses. They invite questions and some scholars discourage them.
- Don't pour or serve alcohol, even as a favour. The Prophet ﷺ said Allah cursed wine, its drinker, its server, its seller and its buyer, among others (Sunan Abi Dawud 3674). If someone asks you to fetch a round, politely suggest another person.
How long to stay
The first hour is usually the calmest. People eat, chat and give thank-you speeches, and that is when most of the networking happens. Many colleagues leave after the meal, so going home early rarely stands out.
It is a good time to leave when drinks are flowing freely, the volume rises, the music turns to mixed dancing or the games cross your limits. If a prayer time arrives, step outside for a few minutes. In winter, Maghrib and Isha come early, so check the times before you go.
What to say when people ask
- "No thanks, I don't drink. This is perfect."
- "I'm Muslim, so I stay away from alcohol, but I'm really enjoying the evening."
- "I'm heading off soon, but thank you for organising this."
Keep your tone light and don't comment on anyone else's drinks. The Quran describes the believers as people who "pass by with dignity" when they come across things they disagree with:
For more wording ideas, see How do I turn down alcohol at a work dinner?
- Many scholars allow attending a work party without drinking; parties centred on alcohol are best avoided.
- Take a soft drink early and never pour or serve alcohol.
- Come for the meal and speeches, then leave before heavy drinking.
- A short, friendly "I don't drink" is all you need to say.
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