Dear teacher, in Sharab-e Hekmat you spoke about wholesome foods. Sometimes, however, we find ourselves in situations—for example, as guests at a celebration or at a meal—where we feel obliged to eat what is served. The food may have been bought with unlawful or doubtful money. If we unintentionally eat something unlawful, what should we do?
One of the scholars used to say that Imam al-Rida (AS) would generally accept people’s invitations and join them at their tables to eat. In those days, as now, not everyone’s wealth was lawful or free of doubt. The scholar said that after returning from a gathering, the Imam would estimate the value of the food he had eaten and pay one-fifth of that amount as khums, thereby making the food lawful and wholesome for himself. Could you please advise us on what we should do? Sometimes it is not possible to decline an invitation. Thank you.