The Hadith
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Indeed Allah is Pure and He does not accept except what is pure. Allah has commanded the believers with what He commanded the messengers.
Allah said:
‘O Messengers, eat from the good things and do righteous deeds.’
And He said:
‘O you who believe, eat from the good things which We have provided for you.’
Then he mentioned a man who travels for a long time, disheveled and dusty, raising his hands to the sky saying: ‘O Lord, O Lord,’ while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he has been nourished with the unlawful — so how can his supplication be answered?”
Reference
Reported by Muslim.
Explanation (From Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan)
In this hadith the Prophet clarified that Allah is pure and only accepts what is pure.
The meaning of the statement:
“Allah is Pure”
is that Allah is free from every deficiency and imperfection. He is perfect in His names, attributes, and actions.
The statement:
“He does not accept except what is pure”
means that Allah only accepts deeds that are sincere and correct. A deed must be performed sincerely for Allah and in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger in order to be accepted.
The Prophet then explained that Allah commanded the believers with the same command that He gave to the messengers: to eat from lawful provisions and to perform righteous deeds.
Allah said:
“O Messengers, eat from the good things and do righteous deeds.”
This verse shows that consuming lawful provision is connected with performing righteous deeds.
Allah also said:
“O you who believe, eat from the good things which We have provided for you.”
This command applies to the believers and shows the importance of eating lawful provisions.
The Prophet then mentioned the example of a man who travels for a long period of time and appears humble and needy. He raises his hands to the sky and calls upon Allah.
These are among the causes for the acceptance of supplication, such as travel, humility, and raising the hands in supplication.
However, the Prophet explained that this man’s food, drink, and clothing are unlawful and that he has been nourished by unlawful earnings. Because of this, his supplication is unlikely to be answered.
This hadith shows the importance of seeking lawful earnings and avoiding unlawful wealth, because unlawful wealth can prevent deeds and supplications from being accepted.
References
The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith: Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan. Dar Makkah International.
Verified on 2026-10-21 against: The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith (Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan), Hadith 10.