Best of both worlds..

Supplication for the Best of Both Worlds
Taken From the articles "Reflections" , Al-Istiqaamah Magazine, Issue No.6 - Dhul-Qa'dah 1417H / March 1997

'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood radiallaahu 'anhu relates that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam would supplicate:

"O Allah! I ask You for guidance, piety, safety and well-being, and contentment and sufficiency."

[Allaahumma innee as'alukal-hudaa wat-tuqaa wal-'afaafa wal-ghinaa]. Sahih Muslim (no.2721)

Imaam as-Sa'dee (d.1376H) - rahimahullaah - said:

This du'aa (supplication) is from the most comprehensive and beneficial du'aas (supplications) , since it includes asking Allah for well-being with regards to both the Religion and the world.

Thus, al-hudaa (the guidance) is beneficial knowledge, and at-tuqaa (i.e. taqwaa or piety) is righteous actions and leaving-off what Allaah and His Messenger have forbidden; and this is (asking) for correctness and well-being of a person's Religion. For indeed, the Religion comprises of beneficial knowledge and recognising the truth - which is guidance - and standing firm upon obedience to Allaah and His Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam - and this is piety.

And al-'afaafa (well-being and safety) and al-ghinaa (contentment and sufficiency) comprises of being safe from (the harms of) the creation and that the heart is not attached to them. And it also comprises of being contented with Allaah and what He provides, and seeking whatever will cause the heart to be satisfied with Him.

So with this, happiness in this worldly life is completed, and the heart tastes true sweetness and delight - and this is a goodly life. So whosoever is granted the provisions of guidance, Piety. well-being and contentment has indeed achieved true happiness, and has acquired all that could be possibly sought after, as well as being saved from all that is dreadful and frightening." [Bahjatul-Quloobul- Abraar (p.198)]

Pursue the dunyâ...

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrî often used to say,

“O youth! Seek the hereafter, for we often see people pursuing the hereafter and finding it as well as the dunyâ (worldly wellbeing), but we have never seen anyone pursue the dunyâ and gain the hereafter as well as the dunyâ.”

Al-Bayhaqî, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabîr, article 12.