Allahumma inni as’alukal-‘afwa wal-‘afiyah fid-dunya wal-akhirah
English Translation
O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in this world and in the Hereafter.
When to Recite This Dua
According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regularly recited this supplication every morning upon waking and every evening.
Ibn ‘Umar narrated: “The Messenger of Allah never abandoned these supplications, every morning and evening: ‘Allahumma inni as’alukal-‘afwa wal-‘afiyah fid-dunya wal-akhirah. Allahumma inni as’alukal-‘afwa wal-‘afiyah fi dini wa dunyaya wa ahli wa mali. Allahum-mastur ‘awrati, wa amin raw’ati wahfazni min bayni yadayya, wa min khalfi, wa ‘an yamini wa ‘an shimali, wa min fawqi, wa ‘audhu bika an ughtala min tahti’”
(Translation: O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in this world and in the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in my religious and my worldly affairs. O Allah, conceal my faults, calm my fears, and protect me from before me and behind me, from my right and my left, and from above me, and I seek refuge in You from being taken unaware from beneath me.)
Waki’ (a hadith narrator) explained that the phrase “an ughtala min tahti” refers to being afflicted by the earth’s swallowing (Al-Khasf). This hadith is graded Sahih (authentic) by Darussalam, and is referenced in Book 34, Hadith 45.
Another narration from Abdullah ibn Umar states:
“The Messenger of Allah never failed to utter these supplications in the evening and in the morning: ‘O Allah, I ask Thee for security in this world and in the Hereafter: O Allah! I ask Thee for forgiveness and security in my religion and my worldly affairs, in my family and my property; O Allah! conceal my faults, and keep me safe from the things which I fear; O Allah! guard me in front of me and behind me, on my right hand and on my left, and from above me: and I seek in Thy greatness from receiving unexpected harm from below me.’”
Abu Dawud noted that Waki’ clarified the final phrase refers to being swallowed by the earth. This hadith is graded Sahih by Al-Albani, and is referenced in Book 43, Hadith 302.
Breakdown of the Dua’s Meaning
Allahumma inni as’aluka al ‘afiyah translates to: “O Allah, I ask You for Afiyah.”
Afiyah is a comprehensive term encompassing overall well-being—it includes physical health, financial stability, safety from harm, and freedom from affliction of any kind. To be in a state of afiyah means:
Being protected from illness and hardship
Enjoying sound health
Having sufficient provision for one’s needs
Living in safety and security
Seeing one’s children and loved ones protected
Attaining Allah’s forgiveness and deliverance from punishment
The full dua adds “wal-‘afiyah fid-dunya wal-akhirah”, which means “and well-being in this worldly life and the Hereafter.”
This dua holds profound power, as it supplicates Allah not only for success in this transient world but also for the eternal blessings of the Hereafter—the true measure of success in Islam. Short and concise, it is well worth memorizing and reciting regularly in one’s daily devotions.
