`Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger
of
Allah (PBUH) used to supplicate thus:
"Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min zawali ni`matika, wa tahawwuli `afiyatika,
wa fuja'ati niqmatika, wa jami`i sakhatika
(O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours, passing
of safety,
the suddenness of Your punishment and all that which displeases You).''
[Muslim].
Commentary: This is also a very comprehensive prayer. Allah has blessed man
with innumerable gifts. One becomes conscious of them when one is deprived of
any
of them, hence it is said that the value of a blessing is realized at its
loss. For eyes,
ears, tongue, health, property, children and such countless blessings, we owe
gratitude
to Allah. In the prayer cited in this Hadith, one entreats Allah not to
deprive of any
blessing given to him. `Afiyah means safe from disease, grief and troubles.
"Passing of
the safety (`Afiyah)'' signifies the change from a state of good health to a
state of illness
and weakness or that one is overtaken by troubles and afflictions.
