21/2. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1822 — Dua Instead of Praying for Death
Praying For Death
Hadith About the Dua Instead of Praying for Death
Sunan an-Nasai : 1822
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1822
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَفْصِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي قَالَ، حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ طَهْمَانَ، عَنِ الْحَجَّاجِ، - وَهُوَ الْبَصْرِيُّ - عَنْ يُونُسَ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ تَدْعُوا بِالْمَوْتِ وَلاَ تَتَمَنَّوْهُ فَمَنْ كَانَ دَاعِيًا لاَ بُدَّ فَلْيَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيِنِي مَا كَانَتِ الْحَيَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا كَانَتِ الْوَفَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي " .
Anas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: 'Do not pray for death or wish for it. Whoever insists on praying for it let him say: Allahumma ahini ma kanatil-hayatu khairanli wa tawaffani idha kanatil-wafatu khairanli (O Allah, keep me alive so long as life is good for me, and cause me to die when death is good for me.)"'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1822In-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 5English translation : Vol. 3, Book 21, Hadith 1823
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1822
This narration is closely focused on the topic of praying for death. The Prophet said not to pray for death and not to wish for it. This makes the message direct and easy to understand. A person may feel deep pain or pressure, but the Hadith guides that person toward a better dua. The main search phrase is dua instead of wishing for death, and the wording is simple: ask Allah to keep you alive if life is good for you, and to cause you to die if death is good for you. This Hadith teaches trust. A person does not know which state is better, so the matter is handed back to Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- A Muslim should avoid praying for death.
- The Prophet gave a specific dua for those who feel overwhelmed.
- A believer asks Allah to choose what is better, not only what feels easier.
- Life and death should both be viewed through Allah’s knowledge.
