A reminder circulating widely on social media is urging Muslim delivery drivers to be extra cautious when handling Chinese New Year (CNY) hamper orders, particularly those that may contain alcohol.
In a lengthy post, a Muslim driver advised fellow riders to check carefully before accepting or picking up CNY hampers, as many festive gift sets typically include bottles of wine. He suggested that drivers clarify with customers in advance whether alcohol is included in the hamper to avoid unintentionally transporting prohibited items.
According to the post, he had personally encountered such situations multiple times. On those occasions, he requested that customers change drivers on the spot after discovering that the hampers contained wine. He further encouraged customers to indicate clearly in the remarks section if alcohol is included before switching drivers, so that other Muslim riders would not unknowingly accept the same job.
Calls For Greater Awareness During Festive Period
The reminder comes as CNY deliveries increase across Singapore and neighbouring Malaysia, with hampers often featuring premium food items, festive treats and alcoholic beverages such as red wine or champagne.
The driver warned fellow Muslims to be vigilant, especially when spotting bottles resembling soy sauce containers, which could in fact be alcohol. He emphasised that seeking income should not come at the expense of religious principles, even if the delivery fee is substantial.
In Islam, alcohol consumption and involvement in its trade are prohibited. Some online commenters referenced a narration reported by the Prophet Muhammad, which mentions that multiple parties involved in the production, sale and distribution of alcohol are considered sinful.
The discussion also touched on whether transporting alcohol without consuming it would still be considered impermissible. Several commenters insisted that even carrying or delivering alcoholic products could fall under prohibited acts, while others sought clarification on religious rulings.
Online Debate Draws Mixed Reactions
The post sparked a lively debate in the comments section. Some Muslim netizens thanked the original poster for the reminder, saying that many riders might be unaware that transporting alcohol could be considered haram.
Others shared personal experiences, including instances where they unknowingly handled alcohol during deliveries and later chose to donate the earnings to charity after realising the nature of the goods.
Non-Muslim commenters also weighed in, with some expressing confusion over the rules, while others stressed the importance of respecting religious differences. A few participants pointed out that many convenience stores and supermarkets employ Muslim staff who may be required to handle alcoholic products as part of their job scope.
Despite differing opinions, the central message of the post focused on mutual respect. Muslim drivers who choose to avoid transporting alcohol are exercising their religious convictions, while customers are encouraged to provide clear information to prevent misunderstandings.
As festive deliveries continue to rise during the CNY period, the discussion highlights the intersection of gig economy work, religious observance and consumer awareness in multicultural Singapore.