Baitul Muqaddas’s Angel’s Proclamation

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “An angel residing in Baitul Muqaddas proclaims every night, ‘Saraf and Adal will not be accepted from a person who eats unlawful food.’” [Ihya Ulum Id-Din by Imam Ghazali]  

Saraf means optional and Sunnat deeds and Adal means compulsory duties. In other words, no good deed (Fardh or Nafl) will be accepted from him.

A man who is polluted with the filth of ill-gotten income cannot serve Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) nor gain pleasure from His remembrance. He is not enabled to indulge in such righteous acts. If he ever happens to do some good deed, it is not accepted by Allah but is thrust back in his face.

Manar Dari has said, “Obedient devotion is a priceless treasure-home. Its key is Dua. The teeth of the key are lawfully earned sustenance. How can the lock of the door be opened with a key which has no teeth? None can get access to the treasure unless the door is opened. (So obedient devotion is also not possible without lawful sustenance.)” [Minhaaj ul-Abideen by Imam Ghazali]