In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

SUPPLICATION

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return, and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [1]

This is one of the comprehensive supplications of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]. It encompasses everything a person seeks regarding rectification for their religious affairs, worldly matters, and matters about the Afterlife. It begins with one’s religious affairs because when one’s religion is rectified, the other affairs will also be rectified.

[اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي – O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs]- Meaning: Asking Allah for the rectification of one’s religion, to be blessed with the ability and guidance to perfectly fulfill all religious duties and etiquettes, the ability to follow the teachings of the Qur’an and Prophet’s authentic Sunnah as exemplified by the righteous predecessors – the companions of the Prophet, their followers, and the pious Imams in matters of correct beliefs, worship, spreading the message of Islam, and exhibiting exemplary conduct in society. [الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي– which is the safeguard of my affairs]- Meaning, this matter that ensures the protection of all my affairs, as Allah says: [وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعً۬ا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْ‌ۚ – And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Qur’an), and be not divided among yourselves]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 103]

This demonstrates that following the religion based on the correct methodology (of the pious predecessors) is a way to protect oneself from misleading temptations and falling into deviation in beliefs and actions. On the other hand, not following the religion is the cause of ruining one’s affairs, as Allah says: [وَلَا تُطِعۡ مَنۡ أَغۡفَلۡنَا قَلۡبَهُ ۥ عَن ذِكۡرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَٮٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمۡرُهُ ۥ فُرُطً۬ا – and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has been lost]. [Surah Al-Kahf. Aayah 28]

[وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي – And rectify my worldly (affairs), wherein is my livelihood]– Meaning, asking Allah to rectify one’s worldly affairs, to be given enough sustenance through lawful means, and using it to serve Allah in one’s life. This demonstrates that everyone has a designated livelihood and a predetermined provision, which they will receive in full before their death.

[وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي – And rectify my Afterlife to which is my return]– Meaning, asking Allah for a good afterlife, seeking His kindness, guidance, and the ability to obey Him (and the Messenger), to be granted a righteous departure from this life and success through eternal bliss in paradise. Allah says:

[ لِيَجۡزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَـٰٓـُٔواْ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَيَجۡزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَى- so that He (Allaah) may requite those who do evil with that which they have done (i.e. punish them in Hell), and reward those who do good, with what is best (i.e. Paradise)]. [Surah An-Najm. Ayah 31]

[وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ – And make life for me (as a means of) increase in every good]– Meaning, make the duration of my life an opportunity and means of achieving good in speech and deeds. This demonstrates that the length of a person’s lifespan is a motive to do more good and righteous deeds.

[وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ – And make death for me as a rest from every evil]– Meaning, make death and my departure from this worldly life a source of rest, rather than trials, tests, and tragedies caused by sin and heedlessness. This demonstrates that the believer is at perfect ease and submission in his desire to see his Lord and receive Allah’s tremendous reward and eternal bliss.

[An Excerpt from Fiqhul Ad’iyah Wal Ad’kaar. Vol 4. Pages 493-494. slightly paraphrased]

To be continued…InShaaAllah

[1] Saheeh Muslim Number 2720