(the wife of the Prophet) Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to invoke Allah in the prayer saying "Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min `adhabi l-qabr, wa a`udhu bika min fitnati l-masihi d-dajjal, wa a`udhu bika min fitnati l-mahya wa fitnati l-mamat. Allahumma inni a`udhu bika mina l-ma'thami wa l-maghram. (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave, from the afflictions of the imposter- Messiah, and from the afflictions of life and death. O Allah, I seek refuge with You from sins and from debt)." Somebody said to him, "Why do you so frequently seek refuge with Allah from being in debt?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "A person in debt tells lies whenever he speaks, and breaks promises whenever he makes (them)." `Aisha also narrated: I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) in his prayer seeking refuge with Allah from the afflictions of Ad-Dajjal.
The Comprehensive Protection Supplication
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 832, 833) reveals the Prophet's comprehensive prayer for protection from spiritual and worldly trials. The supplication encompasses protection from the punishment of the grave, the trials of the Dajjal, the tribulations of life and death, sins, and debt.
Seeking Refuge from Debt
The Prophet's frequent seeking of refuge from debt demonstrates its grave spiritual consequences. As he explained, debt leads to lying when speaking and breaking promises - two major sins that corrupt one's character and faith.
Scholars note that debt creates spiritual vulnerability, forcing the debtor into compromising situations that may lead to dishonesty. The Prophet's emphasis teaches Muslims to avoid unnecessary debt and seek Allah's protection from its harmful effects.
Protection from Dajjal's Trials
The specific mention of seeking refuge from "fitnati l-masihi d-dajjal" (the afflictions of the imposter Messiah) highlights the severity of this end-time trial. Classical commentators emphasize that this demonstrates the Dajjal's deception will be the greatest test of faith before Judgment Day.
By including this in his regular supplications, the Prophet taught his ummah to constantly seek divine protection from this ultimate trial of faith that will challenge even the strongest believers.
The Wisdom of Comprehensive Seeking
This supplication covers protection in this life and the hereafter - from spiritual trials (Dajjal), physical trials (life and death), and social trials (debt). Scholars note this teaches believers to seek Allah's protection in all aspects of existence.
The Prophet's practice of regularly reciting this during prayer shows the importance of making comprehensive protection from all forms of evil a consistent spiritual practice.