O ‘Abbās, O uncle of the Messenger of Allah, ask Allah for safety in this life and the Hereafter

Explanation

Al-‘Abbās ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet’s uncle (may Allah be pleased with him), asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to teach him a supplication to ask Allah for. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught him to ask Allah for well-being and safety from calamities and shortcomings in religion and in this world and the Hereafter. Al-‘Abbās said: A few days later, I returned to him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) again and asked him to teach me a supplication to ask Allah for. Thereupon, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him, in a friendly manner: O ‘Abbās, O uncle of the Messenger of Allah, ask Allah for safety to ward off all harm and bring all good and benefit in this world and the Hereafter.

Lessons

• The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) repeating the same answer to Al-‘Abbās when he asked him for the second time indicates that safety is the best thing a servant can ask of his Lord.
• The Hadīth points out the significance of safety and that it combines all goodness in this world and the Hereafter.
• It demonstrates the Companions' keenness to obtain more knowledge and goodness.