It has now been more than a year and a half since the war in Gaza commenced. The unprecedented extent of devastation and destruction that has been unleashed on the people of this small area evoke emotions of heart-rending sympathy and sorrow.
In light of these tragic events, while it is necessary for each and every one of us to assist in whatever way we can, be it through du‘aa or financial contributions, there is another pertinent point over which we should ponder.
Though the Palestinian people have been in a state of conflict for many decades, there was a time when many of them enjoyed a relatively ‘normal’ and ‘peaceful’ life. Yet, this condition changed overnight, to the extent that any child born in the Gazan borders within the past year and a half will be a child that has known nothing but a life of war.
Most of us enjoy lives of relative ease and peace. Though the crime rate may be high, and there may be some other financial and security challenges, for the large part, we enjoy a decent if not high quality of life. Most people generally eat well, sleep well and lead comfortable lives while countless people around the world are starving, cannot sleep due to fear and lack even clothing to cover their bodies and a roof over their heads to grant them shelter.
The condition of this world is volatile and unstable. Overnight the condition can change, with a person losing his health, wealth, safety and security or worst of all – his Deen and imaan (may Allah Ta‘ala save us all!). Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we continue to make du‘aa for ‘aafiyah (ease).
In regard to the great benefit of making du‘aa for ‘aafiyah, it is reported that once, during the period of his khilaafah, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) ascended the mimbar. He then began to weep, after which he said, “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) stood on the mimbar during the first year (after the hijrah) and began to weep, after which he said, ‘Ask Allah Ta‘ala for forgiveness and ‘aafiyah, for indeed after the bounty of yaqeen (i.e. imaan), no person has been bestowed with a better bounty than ‘aafiyah.’” (Sunan Tirmizi #3558)
It is similarly reported that the respected uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Sayyiduna ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), once came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and requested him to teach him a du‘aa which he could make. In one narration it is mentioned that he said to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I am your uncle. I am now advanced in age, and the time of my death has drawn near. Teach me something through which Allah Ta‘ala will allow me to benefit.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Ask Allah Ta‘ala for ‘aafiyah, in this world and the Hereafter.” (Musnad Ahmad #1766 & #1783)
In yet another hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “Du‘aa is not rejected between the azaan and iqaamah.” Hearing this, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) enquired, “What du‘aa should we make, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Ask Allah Ta‘ala for ‘aafiyah, in this world and the Hereafter.” (Sunan Tirmizi #3594)
There are many other ahaadeeth regarding the great virtue of making du‘aa for ‘aafiyah. Nevertheless, what is important for us to understand is that while the word ‘aafiyah is often translated as ‘ease’, this translation does not do justice in conveying the comprehensiveness of this Arabic term. Explaining the meaning of ‘aafiyah, the renowned muhaddith, Imaam Nawawi (rahimahullah), mentioned, “It is from those words which are comprehensive, and it refers to repelling all types of disliked conditions, be it in one’s physical or spiritual self, and whether relating to one’s Deen, dunya or Aakhirah.” (Sharhun Nawawi – Saheeh Muslim vol. 2, pg. 84)
Among the sunnah du‘aas for ‘aafiyah is the following du‘aa:
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ الْمُعَافَاةَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَة
O Allah! I ask You for forgiveness and ‘aafiyah, in the dunya and Aakhirah. (Tabraani – Majma‘uz Zawaa-id #17332)
Another amazing du‘aa for ‘aafiyah is the following:
اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَارْحَـمْنِيْ وَعَافِنِيْ وَارْزُقْنِي
O Allah! Forgive me, shower Your divine mercy upon me, grant me ‘aafiyah, and bless me with sustenance.
It is reported that when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) taught this du‘aa to a Sahaabi, then while mentioning each of the four du‘aas, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) closed one finger, until his four fingers were closed, besides the thumb. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said to him, “These (four du‘aas) encapsulate for you (all the goodness for) your Deen and dunya.” (Saheeh Muslim #6851)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also taught us the following du‘aa in order to secure the ‘aafiyah that we may be enjoying:
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ وَتَـحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ وَفُجَاءَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ وَجَـمِيْعِ سَخَطِك
O Allah! Indeed, I seek Your protection from Your bounties being lost, and Your ‘aafiyah being transformed (into difficulty and hardship), Your sudden punishment (befalling us), and from all forms of Your anger. (Saheeh Muslim #6943)
Finally, Imaam Nawawi (rahimahullah) has mentioned the following beneficial du‘aa which we may make in these trying times, as it will benefit us and the entire Ummah at large:
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ الْعَامَّةَ لِيْ وَلِأَحْبَابِيْ وَلِـجَـمِيْعِ الْمُسْلِمِيْن
O Allah! Indeed, I ask You for complete ‘aafiyah – for me, for my loved ones, and for all the Muslims at large. (Sharhun Nawawi – Saheeh Muslim vol. 2, pg. 84)