Are Chamars, Bhils, Untouchables, and Non-Praying Muslims Equal? Shar‘i Difference and Detailed Guidance
Reference: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Hadīth Mubārakpūrī, Volume 1, Page 160
Are Chamar, Bhil, Untouchable Shudra, and a non-praying Muslim all equal in status?
Is there any difference between eating/drinking from a Chamar, Bhil, or any untouchable Shudra and eating/drinking from the hand of a sinful, immoral, or non-praying Muslim? Or are both the same?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
There is a great difference between the two (an untouchable Shudra and a sinful Muslim):
◈ The first (i.e., Chamar, Bhil, etc.) is a mushrik.
◈ He is impure outwardly.
◈ He attaches no importance to purity (ṭahārah).
◈ Generally, such people:
✿ Consume carrion (meat of dead animals).
✿ Use intoxicants such as alcohol.
✿ Do not observe purity and cleanliness in anything.
◈ In contrast to the mushrik, a sinful, immoral, or non-praying Muslim is not like that.
◈ Though he is a sinner, yet:
✿ His connection remains with Islam.
✿ He recognizes and accepts, to some extent, the fundamental Islamic rulings.
✿ In matters of purity and impurity, he is not like the mushrik.
◈ In my view, not only from untouchables but from every Hindu’s items, whether moist or dry, one must exercise extreme caution in their use.
◈ If Muslims still possess religious honor and zeal, then:
✿ They must awaken to the reality.
✿ They must take lesson from the condition of others.
◈ It is permissible in Sharīʿah to sever relations with a sinful, immoral, or non-praying Muslim.
◈ The objective of such boycotting is that:
✿ He may abandon his immorality and wrongdoing.
ھٰذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Reference: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Hadīth Mubārakpūrī, Volume 1, Page 160
❖ Question
Are Chamar, Bhil, Untouchable Shudra, and a non-praying Muslim all equal in status?
Is there any difference between eating/drinking from a Chamar, Bhil, or any untouchable Shudra and eating/drinking from the hand of a sinful, immoral, or non-praying Muslim? Or are both the same?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
There is a great difference between the two (an untouchable Shudra and a sinful Muslim):
➊ The Polytheist and Impurity
◈ The first (i.e., Chamar, Bhil, etc.) is a mushrik.
◈ He is impure outwardly.
◈ He attaches no importance to purity (ṭahārah).
◈ Generally, such people:
✿ Consume carrion (meat of dead animals).
✿ Use intoxicants such as alcohol.
✿ Do not observe purity and cleanliness in anything.
➋ The Sinful and Immoral Muslim
◈ In contrast to the mushrik, a sinful, immoral, or non-praying Muslim is not like that.
◈ Though he is a sinner, yet:
✿ His connection remains with Islam.
✿ He recognizes and accepts, to some extent, the fundamental Islamic rulings.
✿ In matters of purity and impurity, he is not like the mushrik.
➌ Practical Guidance
◈ In my view, not only from untouchables but from every Hindu’s items, whether moist or dry, one must exercise extreme caution in their use.
◈ If Muslims still possess religious honor and zeal, then:
✿ They must awaken to the reality.
✿ They must take lesson from the condition of others.
➍ Severing Relations with the Sinful
◈ It is permissible in Sharīʿah to sever relations with a sinful, immoral, or non-praying Muslim.
◈ The objective of such boycotting is that:
✿ He may abandon his immorality and wrongdoing.
ھٰذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
