"Allahumma inni a udhu bika min adhabil-qabri wa a 'udhu bika min 'adhabin-nar, wa a 'udhu bika min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa audhu bika min fitnatil-masihid-dajjal (O Allah, I seek refuge with you from the torment of the grave, and I seek refuge with You from the torment of the Fire, and I seek refuge with You from the trial of the Dajjal)."
The Book of Funerals - Sunan an-Nasa'i
This supplication is mentioned in Sunan an-Nasa'i 2060 and other authentic collections. It is recommended to recite this prayer after the final tashahhud and before the concluding salutations in the funeral prayer, as well as in regular prayers.
Commentary on the Fourfold Refuge
"I seek refuge with You from the torment of the grave" - This refers to the punishment that may befall a sinner in the intermediate state (barzakh) between death and resurrection. The grave is either a garden from Paradise or a pit from Hell.
"I seek refuge with You from the torment of the Fire" - This encompasses seeking protection from all forms of punishment in Hellfire, which is the ultimate abode for those who die upon disbelief and major sins without repentance.
"I seek refuge with You from the trial of living and dying" - This refers to the tests and tribulations one faces throughout life and at the moment of death, including doubts in faith, improper death, and failure to maintain the testimony of faith.
"I seek refuge with You from the trial of the False Messiah" - Al-Masih ad-Dajjal is the greatest trial that will face humanity before the Day of Judgment. He will claim divinity and perform extraordinary deceits that will mislead many people from the true path.
Scholarly Insights
Imam an-Nawawi states that this comprehensive supplication gathers the most feared calamities of the Hereafter. The wisdom in seeking refuge from these specific matters lies in their severity and the human inability to withstand them without Divine protection.
Ibn al-Qayyim explains that these four refuges encompass protection in this world and the next - from the trials of life and death, from the intermediate state in the grave, and from the eternal punishment in the Hereafter.
Practical Implementation
The scholars recommend reciting this du'a in every prayer, particularly in the funeral prayer. Some authorities consider it sunnah to recite it after the final tashahhud before saying the tasleem. The consistent repetition of this prayer strengthens one's consciousness of the Hereafter and dependence on Allah's protection.