50/33. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5489 — Dua from Laziness, Cowardice, and Life’s Trials
Seeking Refuge from Old Age
Dua Against Laziness and the Trials of Life and Death
Sunan an-Nasai : 5489
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5489
أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ مَسْعَدَةَ، عَنْ هَارُونَ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَاصِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَدْعُو بِهَذِهِ الدَّعَوَاتِ " اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكَسَلِ وَالْهَرَمِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ " .
'Uthman bin Abi Al-'As Narrated from:
The Prophet [SAW] used to say supplication in these words: "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-kasali, walharami, wal-jubni, wal-'ajzi, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat. (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from laziness, old age, cowardice, and incapacity, and from the trials of life and death.)"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5489In-book reference : Book 50, Hadith 62English translation : Vol. 6, Book 50, Hadith 5491
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5489
This Hadith lists a Prophetic dua seeking refuge from laziness, old age, cowardice, incapacity, and the trials of life and death. The wording is very practical. Laziness and incapacity can stop a person from doing good. Cowardice can make a person weak when firmness is needed. Old age is mentioned here as a condition from which the Prophet SAW sought refuge in this wording. The dua also moves beyond daily weakness and mentions the trials of life and death. That gives the Hadith a wide scope without adding anything outside the text. For readers looking for a dua against laziness, this narration connects personal effort with asking Allah for help against weakness and testing.
What we learn from this hadith
- Seek Allah’s help against laziness and incapacity.
- The Prophet SAW asked protection from cowardice and old age in this wording.
- The dua includes the trials of both life and death.
