2/160. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 881 — Seeking Refuge from Hellfire
The Supplication During The Prayer
Hadith About Seeking Refuge from Hellfire in Prayer
Sunan Abi Dawud : 881
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 881
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ دَاوُدَ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ الْبُنَانِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ إِلَى جَنْبِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي صَلاَةِ تَطَوُّعٍ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ " أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَيْلٌ لأَهْلِ النَّارِ " .
AbuLayla al-Ansari Narrated from:
I prayed by the side of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in the supererogatory prayer and I heard him say: "I refuge in Allah from the Hell-Fire; woe to the inmates of the Hell-fire!"
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 881In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 491English translation : Book 3, Hadith 880
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 881
This Hadith focuses on a prayer dua heard during voluntary Salah. AbuLayla al-Ansari prayed beside the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم and heard him say that he sought refuge in Allah from the Hell-Fire, followed by a warning for the people of the Fire. The core message is simple: even in a supererogatory prayer, the heart can turn to Allah with fear, need, and humility. The wording is short, but it carries deep weight. It reminds the reader that Salah is not only movement and recitation. It is also a place where a servant asks Allah for safety from the Hereafter. The Hadith about seeking refuge from Hellfire teaches a humble way to remember the seriousness of the Fire.
What we learn from this hadith
- Voluntary prayer can include heartfelt words of refuge and warning.
- Seeking protection from Hellfire is a serious act of turning to Allah.
- Short duas in prayer can carry deep meaning when said with awareness.
