is an innovator and misguided, except that lawful provision may be scarce in one place and plentiful in another; it has certainly not vanished from the earth.

Among the convictions we hold is that when we meet someone whose outward conduct appears upright, we do not cast suspicion on his earnings, his wealth, or his food. It is permissible to eat his food and to conduct business with him, and we are not required to investigate the source of his money. If a person wishes to ask, purely as a precaution, he may do so—apart from those who are known to serve oppressive rulers.

Whoever persists in wrongdoing and in seizing wealth unlawfully—together with other offences—should indeed be questioned, and one should act cautiously, just as al-Ṣiddīq questioned his servant. If such a person possesses other funds besides those ill-gotten gains and the two become mixed, the wealth can no longer be labelled outright lawful or unlawful; it becomes doubtful. Anyone who inquires has safeguarded his faith, following the example of al-Ṣiddīq. Ibn Masʿūd and Salmān, however, permitted dealing with such a person, saying, “Eat from it, and the liability is upon him.”