"Sa'd used to teach his children these words as a teacher teaches his students, and he would say that the Messenger of Allah [SAW] used to seek refuge (with Allah) with these words at the end of every prayer: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-bukhli, wa a'udhu bika mnal-jubni, wa a'udhu bika an uradda ila ardhalil-'umuri, wa a'udhu bika min fitnatid-dunya, wa min 'adhabil-qabr (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from miserliness, and I seek refuge with You from cowardice, and I seek refuge with You from reaching the age of senility, and I seek refuge with You from the trials of this life and the torment of the grave.)'"
The Book of Seeking Refuge with Allah - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5479
This narration from Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) demonstrates the Prophetic practice of concluding prayer with specific supplications seeking Allah's protection. The Companions meticulously preserved and taught these invocations, treating them with the importance of formal education.
Commentary on the Five Protections Sought
From Miserliness (Al-Bukhl): Scholars explain this refers to both withholding rightful wealth and being stingy with religious knowledge. Imam Nawawi states this protection covers the disease of the heart that prevents fulfilling obligations to Allah and creation.
From Cowardice (Al-Jubn): Classical commentators like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani interpret this as seeking refuge from failing to perform religious duties due to fear of people, or retreating from jihad when required.
From Senile Age (Ardhalil-'Umur): Scholars explain this refers to reaching an age where one loses mental faculties, commits childish acts, or becomes a burden upon others while losing capacity for worship.
From Worldly Trials (Fitnatid-Dunya): Ibn al-Qayyim comments this encompasses both trials of prosperity and adversity - the temptation of wealth, family, and position, as well as the tests of poverty and hardship.
From Grave's Torment ('Adhabil-Qabr): Traditional scholars emphasize this includes protection from the questioning by Munkar and Nakir, the compression of the grave, and the preview of one's ultimate destination.
Scholarly Observations
Al-Munawi notes in Fayd al-Qadir that this comprehensive supplication covers protection from spiritual diseases (miserliness, cowardice), physical degeneration (senility), worldly tests, and afterlife punishment - thus encompassing all stages of human existence.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali observes that the Prophet's consistent recitation after every prayer indicates the perpetual need for these protections, as these dangers constantly threaten the believer throughout life.