8/32. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1543 — Dua Against Fire, Wealth, and Poverty Trials
Regarding Seeking Refuge
Dua Against the Trial of Fire, Wealth, and Poverty
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1543
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1543
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى الرَّازِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا عِيسَى، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، رضى الله عنها أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَدْعُو بِهَؤُلاَءِ الْكَلِمَاتِ " اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ النَّارِ وَعَذَابِ النَّارِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ " .
'Aishah narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) would supplicate with the following words: "O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the trials of the Fire, and the punishment of the Fire, and from the evils of richness and poverty."
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1543In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 128English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1538
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1543
This Hadith gives a short supplication from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), narrated by Aishah. He would seek refuge in Allah from the trials of the Fire, the punishment of the Fire, and from the evils of richness and poverty. The wording is balanced. It does not say wealth itself is evil, and it does not say poverty itself is blameworthy. Rather, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked Allah for safety from the evil connected to both states. A person may be tested when having much, and may also be tested when having little. The Hadith teaches that a Muslim should ask Allah for protection in every condition, whether facing ease or hardship.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) sought refuge from both the trial and punishment of the Fire.
- Richness can carry a trial, so a believer asks Allah for protection from its evil.
- Poverty can also carry hardship, so a believer asks Allah for safety from its evil.
- This dua teaches balance without blaming wealth or poverty in every case.
