This is a short dua that asks for everything good in this life and the next, and for safety from the Fire. It is in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 201. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that it was the dua the Prophet ﷺ made most often.
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Roman English
Rabbanaa aatinaa fid-dunyaa hasanatan wa fil-aakhirati hasanatan wa qinaa ‘adhaaban-naar.
Hindi (हिन्दी)
रब्बना आतिना फ़िद्-दुन्या हसनतंव्-व फ़िल-आख़िरति हसनतंव्-व क़िना अज़ाबन्-नार।
ऐ हमारे रब! हमें दुनिया में भलाई दे और आख़िरत में भी भलाई दे, और हमें आग के अज़ाब से बचा ले।
Urdu (اردو)
اے ہمارے رب! ہمیں دنیا میں بھلائی دے اور آخرت میں بھی بھلائی دے، اور ہمیں آگ کے عذاب سے بچا لے۔
Meaning in English
Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
Quran Reference
- Surah: Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), verse 201
- Read online: Quran 2:201 on Quran.com
- Context: The verse comes in the part of the Surah that talks about the Hajj rites and the way people ask Allah.
Word-by-Word Meaning
- Rabbana – our Lord
- Atina – give us
- Fid-dunya – in this world
- Hasanah – good
- Wa fil-akhirati – and in the Hereafter
- Wa qina – and protect us
- ‘Adhaban-nar – from the punishment of the Fire
Context: Two Kinds of Duas
The verse before it (Quran 2:200) speaks about people who say only ‘Our Lord, give us in this world.’ The verse says they will have no share in the Hereafter. Then Quran 2:201 describes others who ask for good in this world and in the Hereafter, and ask Allah to save them from the Fire.
The lesson is simple: it is fine to ask Allah for good things of this world, but the Hereafter should always be in our dua too.
What Does ‘Hasanah’ Mean?
Hasanah means ‘good’. Mufti Muhammad Shafi explains in Maarif-ul-Quran that this word covers all kinds of good, inside and outside. In this world it includes health for yourself and your family, blessing in halal income, fulfilment of needs, good deeds, good manners, useful knowledge, honour, strong faith, guidance to the straight path and sincerity in worship. In the Hereafter it covers everything from Paradise to Allah’s pleasure.
Reference: Maarif-ul-Quran on 2:201
What Does the Authentic Hadith Say?
1. The Prophet’s ﷺ most frequent dua. In Sahih Al-Bukhari 4522, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet ﷺ used to make this dua, and that it was his most frequent supplication. Riyad as-Salihin 1467 records it as agreed upon by Bukhari and Muslim. In the narration of Muslim, it is added that whenever Anas made dua, he used this dua. In some narrations the Prophet’s ﷺ words begin with ‘Allahumma’ (O Allah), while the Quran verse begins with ‘Rabbana’.
References: Sahih Al-Bukhari 4522 and Riyad as-Salihin 1467
2. During Tawaf. In Sunan Abu Dawud 1892, Abdullah ibn as-Sa’ib (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say these words between the two corners (during Tawaf). Al-Albani graded this Hadith Hasan.
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawud 1892
Benefits and Lessons
- It is the dua of the Prophet ﷺ. Making this dua is following his example.
- It is complete and short. It asks for good in both lives and safety from the Fire in just a few words.
- It teaches balance. We ask for the good of this world, but we do not forget the Hereafter.
- We leave the meaning of ‘good’ to Allah. Allah knows what is truly good for us, so we ask Him for good and trust Him.
- It is easy to memorise. Children and new Muslims can learn it quickly.
When Can I Make This Dua?
Allah invites us to call upon Him (Quran 40:60). The Hadith above shows that the Prophet ﷺ made this dua often, and that he said it during Tawaf. Beyond this, you can make this dua whenever you ask Allah for something.
Common Questions
Is this the Prophet’s ﷺ most frequent dua? Yes. Anas reported this, and it is in Sahih Al-Bukhari 4522 and recorded as agreed upon in Riyad as-Salihin 1467.
Does ‘hasanah’ mean only wealth? No. It means all kinds of good, as explained in Maarif-ul-Quran.
Is there a fixed reward for reciting it a certain number of times? We have not found an authentic Hadith that sets a number or a special reward for reciting it.
Are the Hindi and Urdu lines the Quran? No. The Arabic is the word of Allah. The other lines are only to help you read and understand. Please learn the correct pronunciation from a qualified teacher.
References
- Quran 2:200–201 – quran.com/2/201
- Quran 40:60 – quran.com/40/60
- Sahih Al-Bukhari 4522 – sunnah.com/bukhari:4522
- Riyad as-Salihin 1467 – sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:1467
- Sunan Abu Dawud 1892 – sunnah.com/abudawud/11/172
- Maarif-ul-Quran on 2:201 – quran.com
Conclusion
This dua asks for good in this life, good in the Hereafter and safety from the Fire. It is short, complete and loved by the Prophet ﷺ.
May Allah grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the Fire. Ameen.
