God is good and accepts only what is good, and He has given the same command to the believers as He has given to the Messengers, saying, “0 Messengers, eat of what is good and act righteously” (Al-Qur’an 23:51) and also, “You who believe, eat of the good things which We have provided for you” (Al-Qur’an 2:172). Then he mentioned a man who makes a long journey in a dishevelled and dusty state, who stretches out his hands to heaven saying, “My Lord, my Lord,” when his food, drink and clothing are of an unlawful nature, and he is nourished by what is unlawful, and asked how such a one could be given an answer. Muslim transmitted it.
Commentary on the Hadith of Lawful Sustenance
This profound narration from Mishkat al-Masabih 2760 establishes the fundamental principle that divine acceptance is contingent upon the purity of one's sustenance. The hadith masterfully connects the divine command given to both Messengers and believers regarding consumption of lawful provisions.
The Divine Standard of Acceptance
Allah's nature as "good" (Tayyib) necessitates that He only accepts what is pure and lawful. This ontological reality establishes an unbreakable connection between the quality of our provisions and the acceptance of our worship.
The scholarly consensus holds that unlawful nourishment creates a spiritual barrier between the servant and his Lord, rendering even the most outwardly pious acts void of divine acceptance.
Qur'anic Foundation
The hadith references two crucial Qur'anic verses (23:51 and 2:172) demonstrating that the command for lawful consumption is universal - applying equally to Messengers and ordinary believers.
Classical commentators note that these verses establish "tayyib" (good/pure) as both a material and spiritual quality - encompassing lawful acquisition, permissible nature, and wholesome character.
The Traveler Metaphor
The image of the disheveled traveler represents one who engages in strenuous worship while neglecting the fundamental requirement of lawful sustenance. His outward appearance suggests piety, but his internal state is corrupted by unlawful nourishment.
Scholars explain that stretching hands to heaven while consuming unlawful provisions represents a contradiction between action and state - a disconnect that prevents divine response.
Practical Implications for Business Transactions
In "Business Transactions", this hadith establishes the non-negotiable requirement for lawful earnings. Any commercial activity involving interest (riba), deception, or prohibited goods invalidates the spiritual fruits of worship.
The classical understanding requires Muslims to scrutinize not only the permissibility of their business dealings but also the sources of their food, drink, and clothing - as all affect divine acceptance.