`Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet
(PBUH)
used to supplicate:
"Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda, wat-tuqa, wal-`afafa, wal-ghina
(O Allah! I beseech You for guidance, piety, chastity and contentment).''
[Muslim].
Commentary: "Guidance'' means guidance towards virtue which one needs at
every
step. The ability to do good and steadfastness on the Right Path is also
covered by
the term guidance. To comply with the Orders of Allah and to prevent oneself
from
what He has forbidden is Taqwa (fear of Allah), the importance of which needs
no elaboration. `Affaf is prevention from sins. It also means evasion from
seeking
help from others. Ghina means riches which makes one independent of others
so
much so that all one's hopes are centered on Allah Alone. The prayer quoted
in this
Hadith is very comprehensive indeed.
