Asking the host about their source of income

Q 2: I heard about the Imams' Taqwa (God-fearing) as regards unlawful food, such as Imam Al-Shafi`y, and Imam Ahmad who refused to eat from the food bought with his son's money as his son was working in the judiciary and he doubted the lawfulness of the money he took from the state. After I had known this, I refused to eat any food except that which was bought with my father's money or with money of which I am sure of its lawfulness. This caused me some problems and upset many of my brothers who invited me to eat even a date but I refused. Many times guests come to our house with fruit and other such things and invite me to eat from it but I refuse. I do not refuse because I am sure it is bought with unlawful money. In fact, I refuse because I know the legal ruling about eating unlawful food. Is it permissible for me to ask about the lawfulness of the money (Part No. 22; Page No. 344) with which this food is bought? If I visited a friend or a relative, should I ask him about the lawfulness of the food they serve me?

A: Asking about the lawfulness of every food is not an act of the guiding traditions of Muhammad ibn `Abdullah (peace be upon him) or the guiding acts of his Caliphs and Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Moreover, such questions may create feelings of grudge and lead to relationships being severed.Therefore, we advise you not to go too far in this matter because it may result in more problems.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.