Dua for This Life and the Hereafter
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbanaaa aatina fid dunyaa hasanatanw wa fil aakhirati hasanatanw wa qinaa azaaban Naar
Translation: “Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
Surah Baqarah Ayat 201
Reflection on This Dua
It is easy for us to become so busy and distracted that we forget to reflect on our existence on this planet. We start to believe that what we are going through is everything, assigning more weight to the present than it truly deserves. This is particularly evident when we consider the countless people who have come and gone over the centuries. It is estimated that over 107 billion people have ever lived on Earth, yet how many of their names are recorded in history books?
This is not to diminish our sense of responsibility—some might wonder if life seems meaningless as a result. On the contrary, you can still enrich others’ lives, reduce suffering, and strive to be a positive force. Your impact is real, and this should never be forgotten or underestimated. Recognizing that there is a final destination is what gives life definite meaning and purpose. Allah mentions this repeatedly in the Qur’an, such as in Surah Hadid Ayat 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.” He also states in Surah Ghafir Ayat 39: “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 creates the space we need to find peace. We come to see how foolish it is to get upset over trivial matters. Are we justified in being as angry or upset as we are when we break a glass? Is there any point in cursing events that have already happened, or should we accept things as they are and move forward? By keeping the bigger picture in mind, we can live more fully and appreciate our existence. Being aware of our limited time on Earth is a gift—it allows us to be grateful for this middle part of our journey because we know it will end.
We should also realize that death is not something that will only happen to us in the future; every passing second is a piece of us that fades away. This raises an important question: How do you want to spend your scarce and precious time on Earth? Do you want to focus on negativity, clinging to feelings of hatred, anger, and jealousy? Or would it be better to let go and accept things as they are? We need to strike a balance: enjoying the creations Allah has bestowed upon us on Earth while maintaining the discipline to keep our desires anchored to the ultimate goal—Jannah.
There is a story about a wealthy man who died. At his funeral, a colleague asked, “I wonder how much he left?” Someone replied, “I believe he left it all.” We need to be wiser in our pursuits. Being motivated by money is not inherently wrong; wanting financial security for yourself and your family is an honorable goal. The problem arises when money becomes your sole motivation. Seeking enjoyment is also permissible—Allah does not forbid us from pursuing halal pleasures. In Surah Rahman, Allah repeatedly asks,
fabia ala i rabbikuma tukadziban, meaning “So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?” (Surah Rahman Ayat 13), referring to the many gifts He has bestowed upon us on Earth. Trouble begins when we live only for pleasure and forget our duty to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.Remember, we may accumulate wealth, children, friends, and status, but when we leave this Earth, all the things we worked tirelessly for will cease to matter. All the power and influence we crave will be useless. Money and power are merely tools for creating change; it is wise to acquire them to do good and leave a legacy of serving humanity well, just as we learn Prophet Sulaiman (as) did. In the end, the only account that matters is the account of our deeds. When making du’a, we should not be driven by short-sighted requests. Instead, we should ask for good in this life and also remember to ask for good in the Hereafter. That is the beauty encapsulated in this du’a.
Let us pray that Allah grants us all courage and strength, blesses us with complete iman, and forgives us for our mistakes. May He shower peace and blessings upon all the Prophets, who struggled to show us what is possible for those who place complete trust and belief in Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. They dedicated their lives to this mission, carving out a chapter in human history that would otherwise have remained unwritten. It is because of their selfless sacrifice that we can proudly call ourselves Muslims and live a life rooted in faith, hope, and good values.
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