Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would never leave out the following du‘aa in the morning and in the evening:
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ فِيْ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِيْ دِيْنِيْ وَدُنْيَايَ وَأَهْلِيْ وَمَالِيْ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَاتِيْ وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِيْ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ احْفَظْنِيْ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَمِنْ خَلْفِيْ وَعَن يَّـمِيْنِيْ وَعَنْ شِـمَالِيْ وَمِنْ فَوْقِيْ ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِعَظَمَتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتَالَ مِنْ تَـحْتِيْ
“O Allah! I ask you for ‘aafiyah (ease) in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah! I ask you for forgiveness and ‘aafiyah (ease) in my Deen, my worldly affairs, my family and my wealth. O Allah! Conceal my secrets and save me from fear and apprehension. O Allah! Protect me from (all angles;) in front of me, behind me, on my right, on my left, above me, and I seek protection in Your greatness from being suddenly struck from beneath me.” (Sunan Abi Dawood #5074)
Just as the personality of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and every aspect of his was unique, the du‘aas that he made were also unique and comprehensive. Hence, in this one short du‘aa, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) encapsulated so many important needs of a person, and begged Allah Ta‘ala in their regard.
The very first thing Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked for in this du‘aa is ‘aafiyah, which is a very comprehensive term. It refers to being granted ease in all aspects, and being saved from all types of difficulties and calamities whether external or internal, related to this world or the Hereafter.
Due to its comprehensive and profound meaning, in numerous ahaadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has encouraged us to beg Allah Ta‘ala for ‘aafiyah.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Allah is not asked for something more beloved to Him than being asked for ‘aafiyah.” (Sunan Tirmizi #3548)
On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) stood on the mimbar and began crying. He then said, “Ask Allah for forgiveness and ‘aafiyah, because after yaqeen (i.e. firm imaan), no person has been given anything better than ‘aafiyah.” (Sunan Tirmizi #3558)
On another occasion, a person came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and asked, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), which du‘aa is best?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Ask your Rabb for ‘aafiyah and forgiveness in this world and the Hereafter.” The next day, this person came and posed the same question and he was given the same answer. On the third day, the same occurred. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then explained, “When you are blessed with ‘aafiyah in the world, and you are blessed with it in the Hereafter, then you have definitely become successful.” (Sunan Tirmizi #3512)
The next part of the above du‘aa is a request that Allah Ta‘ala conceals a person’s faults and those aspects of his life which he would not be pleased that others know about, as well as protects and safeguards him from all forms of distress, fear and apprehension.
The last part is a du‘aa for complete protection from all angles and directions, with specific emphasis on being suddenly struck from beneath. The great imaam, Wakee’ bin Jarrah (rahimahullah), one of the narrators of this hadeeth explains “being suddenly struck from beneath” as being swallowed into the earth.