Sheikh ‘Abd al–Razzaq al–Badr (حفظه الله) said:
“If you have many needs at the time of acceptance of du’a, and you want to ask your Lord for them, perhaps, if you want to enumerate them one by one, you might forget some of them.
However, if you say:
رَبَّنَآ اٰتِنَا فِى الدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةً وَّفِى الۡاٰخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَّ قِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار
“Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” (2:201)
…you will have encompassed all your needs, and more—including those you never thought of [good]. And the Bounty of Allah is vast and limitless.”
End quote.
Commentary
The supplication mentioned and praised in the Ayah (2:201) includes all good aspects of this life and seeks refuge from all types of evil.
The good of this life concerns every material request of well-being, spacious dwelling, pleasing mates, sufficient provision, beneficial knowledge, good profession or deeds, comfortable means of transportation, and good praise, all of which the scholars of Tafsir have mentioned regarding this subject.
All of this are but a part of the good that is sought in this life. As for the good of the Hereafter, the best of this includes acquiring Paradise, which also means acquiring safety from the greatest horror at the gathering place. It also refers to being questioned lightly and other favors in the Hereafter.
As for acquiring safety from the Fire, it includes being directed to what leads to this good end in this world, such as avoiding the prohibitions, sins of all kinds, and doubtful matters.
Al-Qasim bin `Abdur-Rahman رحمه الله said, “Whoever is gifted with a grateful heart, a remembering tongue, and a patient body, will have been endowed with a good deed in this life, a good deed in the Hereafter, and saved from the torment of the Fire.”
This is why the Sunnah encourages reciting this Du`a’ (i.e., in the Ayah about gaining a good deed in this life and the Hereafter).
Al-Bukhari reported that Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say:
«اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَــةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار»
(O Allah, our Lord! Give us that which is good in this life, that which is good in the Hereafter, and save us from the torment of the Fire).
Imam Ahmad reported that Anas رضي الله عنه said,
“Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) visited a Muslim man who had become as weak as a sick small bird. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said to him, ‘Were you asking or supplicating to Allah about something?’ He said, ‘Yes. I used to say: O Allah! Whatever punishment you saved for me in the Hereafter, give it to me in this life.’
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
«سُبْحَانَ اللهِ لَا تُطِيقُهُ أَوْ لَا تَسْتَطِيعُهُ، فَهَلَّا قُلْتَ: رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الاٌّخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ»
(All praise is due to Allah! You cannot bear it or stand it. You should have said: (Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!)) The man began reciting this Du`a, and he was cured.” Muslim also recorded it.
End quote from Tafsir Ibn Kathir.
May Allah ﷻ accept our prayers.
Aameen!
The Enduring Good Deeds 