Supplication (duʿāʾ) is one of the most intimate acts of worship — it’s a direct conversation with Allah, where a believer expresses need, gratitude, and submission. Allah promises to listen to one's supplication and grant the supplicator His infinite mercy to redress one's grievances. In fact, supplication is an acknowledgment that we are dependent on Allah for every matter — big or small.
It is promised: “Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell humiliated.” (40:60)
We have already shared a number of supplications both from Qur'an and Hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, links given at the end of this post. Today we share a comprehensive supplication which the revered Prophet ﷺ of Allah used to make for the benefit of our readers for these prophetic supplications are very well worded to the Divine mercy into our favour.
Narrated by AbulYusr:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to supplicate: "O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from my house falling on me, I seek refuge in Thee from falling into an abyss, I seek refuge in Thee from drowning burning and decrepitude. I seek refuge in Thee from the devil harming me at the time of my death, I seek refuge in Thee from dying in Thy path while retreating, and I seek refuge in Thee from dying of the sting of a poisonous creature."
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا مَكِّيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ صَيْفِيٍّ، مَوْلَى أَفْلَحَ مَوْلَى أَبِي أَيُّوبَ عَنْ أَبِي الْيَسَرِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَدْعُو " اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَدْمِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ التَّرَدِّي وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْغَرَقِ وَالْحَرَقِ وَالْهَرَمِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ يَتَخَبَّطَنِي الشَّيْطَانُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَمُوتَ فِي سَبِيلِكَ مُدْبِرًا وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَمُوتَ لَدِيغًا " .
Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani) صحيح (الألباني) حكم
This hadith quotes a comprehensive supplication covering many facets of danger one may face in one's life and seek mercy of Allah from being fallen prey to these dangers.
The supplication:
"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from:
- House / building falling on me (like a collapse);
- Falling into an abyss;
- Drowning, burning, old age (decrepitude);
- Satan afflicting me at the time of death;
- Dying in Your cause while fleeing;
- Dying from the sting of a venomous creature."
This supplication covers various physical, spiritual, and situational harms, reflect the Prophet’s meticulous preparedness and spiritual mindfulness.
What Each Part Represents & Related Qur'anic Teachings
- Physical Calamities:
- House falling, falling into an abyss, drowning, burning
- Illustrate everyday dangers.
- Here abyss does not only mean falling into a deep pit. An "abyss" is a profound, immeasurable depth or void, either a literal vast chasm like the ocean's depths or a figurative situation of extreme difficulty or despair, such as an "abyss of sorrow" or an "abyss of moral depravity".
- Likewise the harm that one may face due to a falling house, drowning and burning is extremely difficult to bear and one must always seek protection from deaths from such accounts. As for abyss, beside the fear of falling into a deep pit or craves in mountains from where recovery is almost impossible, one must also seek protection from the moral degeneration which takes a man into an abyss of unrecoverable sinful life.
- Allah's promise to help His devoted servants as mentioned in Qur'an when Prophet Abraham was being thrown in to fire for not heeding to the wishes of the idolaters: “…and We said, ‘O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.’” (21:69) — Divine protection in physical peril.
- Old Age (Decrepitude):
- In Islam, seeking protection from old age, especially feebleness and decrepitude, is encouraged because while old age itself is a natural blessing of a long life, the Prophet ﷺ warned against the loss of physical and mental ability that can come with it.
- Old age is a time when more often than not one is all by himself with friends and family may not be near to help. The helplessness of being old is so depressive that it leaves man into a state of almost mental paralysis, beside physical immobility.
- Therefore one must always seek the Divine mercy and protection from frailty.
- The Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge from reaching a helpless old age:
- “O Allah, I seek refuge with You from cowardice, miserliness, being sent back to a feeble old age, from the trials of this world, and from the punishment of the grave.”
- Hadith (Bukhari 2822, Muslim 2706)
- This "being sent back" (الرَّدّ إلى أرذل العمر) refers to the stage when a person loses independence, memory, and dignity.ﷺ
- Satan’s Influence at Death:
- Satan is that creature whose enticement is so strong that even Prophet Adam and his wife Eve fell victims to it and were mislead to the extent of being expelled from Paradise.
- There fore, even the Prophet sought protection from confusion or deception at that critical moment.
- One must constantly seek protection from Satanic machination for when the angel fo death finally comes unannounced, the repentance cannot be accepted.
- In a Hadith, it is mentioned: “When an unjust person is dying and his soul reaches the throat, Satan says, ‘Fear Allah!’ and he replies, ‘Fear how? I disobeyed Him since childhood.’” (Musnad Ahmad)
- Dying in Battle While Fleeing:
- Fighting in the cause of Allah and Islam is one of the greatest blessing one can get in one's life. The martyrs in the name of Allah are promised highest place in Jannah (Paradise) by Allah.
- However, it is most detestable Divinely if one runs away from the battlefield for fear of dying. And if such a person dies while fleeing from the battlefield, it’s not just martyrdom, but martyrdom in the right manner. Fleeing contradicts Islamic valor.
- However, if a body of troops is ordered to retreat as part of military strategy and then if infliction is caused to them, they will still be martyrs.
- Therefore to attain martyrdom with honour, one must pray for an honourable death and protection of a disgraceful death while turning one's back and running out of the battle.
- Qur’an: “…so whoever fights in the way of Allah and is killed or achieves victory — We will grant him a great reward.” (4:74)
- The Prophet ﷺ used to seek: “O Allah, I seek refuge with You from cowardice...." (Hadith (Bukhari 2822)
- Death by a Venomous Sting:
- Even the minutest of causes invoked seeking Allah’s protection.
- This reflects awareness that divine decree includes all matters.
Broader Hadith Parallels
The Prophet also sought refuge from other physical and spiritual dangers in additional supplications (Sunan Abū Dāwūd 1554, for leprosy and madness; 1546 for evil thoughts, etc.) Read our earlier post:
- Protection from trials of Fire and evils of richness and poverty (Abu Dawud Hadith 1543)
- Supplication for protection against Dangerous Diseases (Abu Dawud Hadith 1554)
- For Good Health and Protection from Torment of Grave (Abu Dawud Hadith 5090)
This supplication thus reflects a broader Islamic principle of acknowledging human limitation and seeking Allah's protection in all circumstances.
Lessons We Can Apply Today
- Spiritual Preparedness The Prophet ﷺ prepared in his supplications for both physical and spiritual challenges, especially at death.
- Comprehensive Reliance on Allah We should pray for protection from calamities, ailments, and moral crises — not just common fears.
- Awareness of Mortality Emulating his example helps believers live with purpose and mindfulness of the Hereafter.
- Avoiding Shameful End Seeking refuge from dying while fleeing shows dignity and bravery remains valued in Islam.
- Trust in Allah’s Mercy Whatever the form of harm, turning to Allah is the foremost remedy.
We need not sing songs and rhymes for our forgiveness. Instead we should constantly seek protection of Allah from every harmful event that may cause our death in pain or cowardice.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may refer to our reference: page: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more prophetic supplications
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing. one may also consult local Muslim Imaan of the masjid for more clarification.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to "force" preach, convert, or criticize any belief system. The views shared are meant to inspire dialogue, understanding, and reflection. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for those navigating sensitive religious experiences. Always seek knowledge with an open heart and mind.
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