How can we reconcile Ibn ʿUthaymin's statement regarding the ruling on one who says, "I am a believer, if God wills," and is deemed a disbeliever if the exception stems from doubt about the foundation of faith, with not deeming a person a disbeliever who thought he had committed an act of disbelief by sitting with someone who insulted the religion, but then it became clear to him otherwise?

A person's asking whether he has apostatized due to certain actions or statements does not cause him to apostatize, nor is it considered doubt in Islam. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen clarified that the statement "I am a believer, if Allah wills" has details: if the exception is due to doubt in the foundation of faith, then it is disbelief; if it is out of fear of self-praise, then it is obligatory; and if it is for seeking blessings or explaining the reason, then it is permissible. Your mere asking about the ruling on actions and statements that are unclear to you does not cause you to apostatize; rather, you should ask about what is unclear to you in your religion. A person who committed what he thought was an act of disbelief, then it became clear to him that it was not, does not disbelieve due to his ignorance. We advise turning away from these obsessions and doubts.