0 Allah, enable me to derive benefit from my husband, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and from my father Abu Sufyan and from my brother Mu'awiya. Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: You have asked from Allah about durations of life already set, and the length of days already allotted and the sustenances the share of which has been fixed. Allah would not do anything earlier before its due time, or He would not delay anything beyond its due time. And if you were to ask Allah to provide you refuge from the torment of the HellFire, or from the torment of the grave, it would have good in store for you and better for you also. He (the narrator) further said: Mention was made before him about monkeys, and Mis'ar (one of the narrators) said: I think that (the narrator) also (made a mention) of the swine, which had suffered metamorphosis. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Verily, Allah did not cause the race of those which suffered metamorphosis to grow or they were not survived by young ones. Monkeys and swine had been in existence even before (the metamorphosis of the human beings).
The Book of Destiny - Sahih Muslim 2663b
This narration from Umm Habiba, daughter of Abu Sufyan, contains profound wisdom regarding divine decree (qadr) and the proper approach to supplication. The Prophet's response teaches us the importance of focusing our prayers on spiritual protection rather than worldly matters already predetermined by Allah's eternal knowledge.
Commentary on Divine Decree
When Umm Habiba asked for benefit from specific individuals, the Prophet ﷺ corrected her understanding of supplication. He explained that lifespan, provisions, and worldly benefits are already decreed in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz) and cannot be altered through mere asking.
Allah's decree operates with perfect timing - neither hastening what He has delayed nor delaying what He has appointed. This understanding cultivates contentment (rida) with divine distribution while maintaining active effort within permissible means.
Wisdom in Supplication
The Prophet ﷺ redirected her to seek protection from Hellfire and grave punishment - matters where supplication brings actual benefit and spiritual elevation. This teaches us to prioritize eternal matters over temporary worldly gains in our prayers.
Such supplications are "better for you" because they concern matters where human choice and divine response interact meaningfully, unlike predetermined provisions where our asking doesn't alter the divine decree.
Clarification on Metamorphosis
Regarding transformed communities mentioned in the Qur'an, the Prophet ﷺ clarified that such metamorphosed beings don't reproduce or have lasting progeny. Monkeys and swine existed independently before these divine punishments, indicating that not all such animals originated from human transformation.
This corrects misconceptions about the nature of divine punishment and demonstrates the Prophet's role in clarifying theological matters for his community.