رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana aatina fid dunyaa hasanatanw wa fil aakhirati hasanatanw wa qinaa azaaban Naar
“Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 201
Understanding the Essence of This Du’a
We often get so caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to contemplate our purpose and existence on Earth. Our daily struggles seem to be everything, overshadowing the larger picture. Considering the vast number of people who have lived and died throughout history—estimated to be over 107 billion—how many of their names are recorded in history?
This perspective doesn’t imply life is meaningless; rather, it emphasizes that despite our seemingly small roles, we can make significant positive impacts. Knowing that life has an ultimate destination gives it meaning and purpose. The Qur’an frequently reminds us of this, such as in Surah Hadid (Ayah 20): “Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children.
Like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.” Similarly, in Surah Ghafir (Ayah 39), it is stated: “O my people, this worldly life is only [temporary] enjoyment, and indeed, the Hereafter—that is the home of [permanent] settlement.”
Viewing life through this lens helps us detach from selfish desires and find peace. It shows the folly of getting upset over trivial matters. Are we justified in our anger when we break a glass? Instead of cursing events, should we not accept them and move forward? Keeping the bigger picture in mind allows us to live more fully and appreciate our existence. Recognizing that our time on earth is limited is a gift, as it fosters gratitude for this part of our journey, knowing it will eventually end.
Moreover, understanding that death is not a distant event but a process happening every second teaches us to value our time. How would you like to spend your precious time on earth? Would you focus on negativity, holding onto hate, anger, and jealousy? Or would you rather let things go and find peace? Balancing the enjoyment of Allah’s creations on Earth with the discipline to strive for the ultimate goal—Jannah—is crucial.
A story illustrates this: A wealthy man dies, and at his funeral, a colleague wonders, “How much did he leave?” Another replies, “He left it all.” This teaches us to be wise in our pursuits. It’s acceptable to seek financial security for your family’s well-being.
However, problems arise when money becomes the sole motivation. Seeking halal pleasures is fine, as Allah says in Surah Rahman (Ayah 13): “So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?” The issue is living only for pleasure, forgetting our duty to Allah.
No matter how much wealth, children, friends, and status we accumulate, when we die, these things become irrelevant. Power and influence lose their value. Money and power should be used to create positive change, as exemplified by Prophet Sulaiman (AS). Ultimately, the account that matters is the account of our deeds. When making du’a, we should not only focus on immediate desires but also remember to ask for goodness in both this life and the afterlife. This is the beauty of the du’a.
Dua during Tawaf (Between Yemeni Corner & The Black Stone):
Abu Huraira reported the Prophet ﷺ as saying,
“Seventy angels have been put in charge of it (i.e. the Yamani corner), so if anyone says,
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
‘O God, I ask Thee for pardon and wellbeing in this world and the next; our Lord, bring us a blessing in this world and a blessing in the next, and guard us from the punishment of hell’, they will say Amen.”
Mishkat al-Masabih 2590
