Punishment for eating with non-Muslims

Question

Question: We had gone to work at a stone crusher. One day some Muslims and non-Muslims ate together; I ate first, and afterwards everyone said that this was the food of Chamars (an Indian caste of leatherworkers, regarded as low). My biradari (clan community) has stopped “hookah and water” with me (i.e. excommunicated me socially). I did not know that these people were Chamars. Does my faith (iman) remain or not?

Answer

If, by mistake, out of ignorance, one — God forbid — eats something impure or carrion, even then faith is not lost; but on learning of it he should repent and seek forgiveness (istighfar). If it was not impure or carrion, the matter is entirely clear. The biradari should not stop “hookah and water” with him, but rather keep him with them without aversion.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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