How should a person who travels in the lands of the disbelievers and is unable to avoid restaurants where intoxicants are served conduct himself?

The questioner : In one case... he tries to stay away from places where intoxicants are drunk; especially when... it is a Christian country like Britain or something, he finds himself in a situation where he is not able... and he cannot invite him to the restaurant; because the restaurant is where he orders his food... so I don't know what...?

The Shaykh : My brother, we always observe that Islamic rulings are established for natural circumstances. That is, when the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: ; meaning: do not sit by your own choice. But if you hate this situation, in which they have gathered around the table, with the utmost hatred, then no matter how compelled you are, you will not sit with them to share in their company. So you withdraw to a place, but the coffee, the smell of the intoxicants, or the restaurant or something similar.

Another questioner: Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
So this matter, and indeed most matters, fall under the general meaning of His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He): . So I believe that every Muslim, even in the lands of disbelief, is able to not sit at a table where intoxicants are served. But he may not be able to avoid entering a restaurant or coffee shop that has intoxicants; he may not be able to do anything but enter. So in that case, we say: . The thing that the Muslim should always and forever observe is that his conscience should be awake, that this is an evil and a detestable thing, and that he hates it with the utmost hatred. This is from the heart's perspective first. Then, from the practical perspective, he tries to distinguish himself, even if it is by the last possible thing, that he withdraws to a place in the coffee shop or at the food such that he does not sit directly with those who drink intoxicants. But even so, I imagine that there is room for the Muslim, even in the lands of disbelief, to mitigate the matter = -- and upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah and His blessings -- =; meaning, by searching for a restaurant—for example—a restaurant that is spacious; such that if he withdraws to a corner there, he is as far as possible from sharing in their table and their intoxicants. Whereas if the restaurant or café is narrow and crowded, your distinction from them in what they are doing of the forbidden does not appear. And this is among the meanings of: .
I think the matter is clear? Also, for example, we sometimes hear that in some companies, airline companies, that they do not serve intoxicants to the passengers.

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : Yes?

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : There are some companies like that. So the one who is compelled to fly can distinguish himself: this company does not serve intoxicants and this one does; so I will not ride in this one. This is among the things that we can do.

Another questioner : ... sometimes there are planes and airlines that do not go to certain countries from these countries.

The Shaykh : In any case, fear Allah as much as you can; the principle is like this. And as he (peace be upon him) said: .