KITAB ARBA'IN AN-NAWAWI
by: Imam An-Nawawi
Allah is Pure and Accepts Only What is Pure
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى طَيِّبٌ لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا طَيِّبًا، وَإِنَّ اللهَ أَمَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَا أَمَرَ بِهِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ فَقَالَ تَعَالَى: {يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا}، وَقَالَ تَعَالَى: {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ}، ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ الرَّجُلَ يُطِيلُ السَّفَرَ أَشْعَثَ أَغْبَرَ يَمُدُّ يَدَيْهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ: يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ، وَمَطْعَمُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَمَشْرَبُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَمَلْبَسُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَغُذِيَ بِالْحَرَامِ، فَأَنَّى يُسْتَجَابُ لِذَلِكَ؟»۔
[رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ: 1015]Translation:
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah Almighty is Pure and accepts only that which is pure.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then mentioned that Allah Almighty has commanded the believers with the same command with which He commanded the Messengers. Allah Almighty said: “O Messengers! Eat from the good and pure things and perform righteous deeds.” And He said: “O believers! Eat from the good and pure things We have provided for you.” He ﷺ then mentioned a man who undertakes a long journey, dishevelled and covered in dust, who raises his hands towards the heavens and says, “O my Lord! O my Lord!” while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he has been nourished through unlawful means. He ﷺ then said: “So how can his supplication be answered?” [Sahih Muslim: 1015]
Benefits of the Hadith:
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1
Affirmation of the Attributes of Perfection of Allah Almighty:
• Absolute Purity: Allah, Glorified and Exalted, is free from every defect, deficiency, and imperfection. One of His Names is “al-Tayyib” (The Pure), which affirms His absolute purity and perfection in His Essence and Attributes.
• Attribute of ʿUlūw (Highness): The Hadith also establishes the attribute of ʿUlūw (highness/exaltation) for Allah Almighty, as indicated by raising the hands towards the heavens during supplication. -
2
The Criteria for the Acceptance of Deeds: Sincerity and Purity:
• Condition for Acceptance: Purity, both outward and inward, is a condition for the acceptance of deeds in the sight of Allah Almighty. He accepts only those words and deeds that are pure and sincere.
• Quality and Lawful Sustenance: Acceptance is not determined by the quantity of deeds alone; rather, sincerity and lawful earnings are of fundamental importance. Both the Messengers and the believers were commanded through revelation to consume pure provisions and perform righteous deeds. -
3
The Importance of Lawful Provision and Its Spiritual Effects:
• Spiritual Fuel: Lawful sustenance is not merely a worldly necessity; it is also an important religious obligation. It serves as “spiritual fuel” for righteous deeds and contributes to the refinement of character and acts of worship.
• Economic and Spiritual Reform: Islam seeks to reform both a person's economic life and his worship. In the sight of Allah, a small amount of lawful wealth is far better than an abundance of unlawful wealth. -
4
The Harmful Consequences of Unlawful Earnings:
• Hardening of the Heart: Unlawful wealth weakens a person's spiritual insight, hardens the heart, and causes reluctance towards acts of worship.
• Impact on Household: The effects of unlawful earnings extend to one's food, drink, and other aspects of life. A person who persists in unlawful earnings does not affect only himself; such conduct can also adversely affect his children and the entire household. -
5
Etiquettes of Supplication and the Causes of Its Acceptance:
• Means of Acceptance: The Hadith mentions key etiquettes and means: Travel (demonstrating humility and dependence), Humility and Submission (sincere condition of the heart), Raising the Hands, and Insistent Supplication (calling upon Allah saying “O my Lord! O my Lord!”).
• Barriers to Dua: Even when all these apparent means of acceptance are present, unlawful earnings can become a barrier between a person and his Lord, preventing the acceptance of his supplication. -
6
Practical Framework and Purification:
This comprehensive Hadith encourages a Muslim to examine his profession, income, food, drink, and clothing. It presents a complete framework for soul purification, economic reform, excellence in worship, and genuine servitude to Allah while steering away from outward ostentation.