It is related that Abdullah ibn Mas’ood radi Allahu anhu narrated that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to supplicate,
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الهُدَى وَ التُّقَى وَ العَفَافَ وَ الغِنَى
Allāhumma Innī As’aluka al-Hudā Wat-Tuqā Wal-cAfāfa Wal-Ghinā
“O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, abstinence (from the unlawful) and modesty, and contentment and sufficiency.”
Recorded by Muslim
Points of Benefit
Imam Nawawi rahimahullah states in the commentary of this hadeeth in Riyadh as-Saaliheen:
This Hadeeth contains four words, the meanings and implications of which constitute its essence. These words are guidance, piety (taqwa, fear of Allah), chastity and sufficiency. Guidance here means guidance at every turn of life and steadfastness on the path of truth. Fear of Allah is the greatest means of piety and strongest defense against sins. Chastity is the state of being free from what is unlawful. Self-sufficiency is the antonym of poverty and here it means the self-contentment. What it implies is that one should not care for what people possess. In view of all these qualities, the prayer of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned in this Hadeeth is very comprehensive and valuable.
Imam Sa’di rahimahullah said regarding this duaa in his book, Bahjatul Quloobul-Abraar:
“This duaa is from the most comprehensive and beneficial duaas, since it includes asking Allah for well-being with regards to both the Religion and the world.
Thus, al-hudaa (the guidance) is beneficial knowledge, and at-tuqaa (i.e. taqwa or piety) is righteous actions and leaving-off what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden; and this is (asking) for correctness and well-being of a person’s Religion.
For indeed, the Religion comprises of beneficial knowledge and recognizing the truth – which is guidance – and standing firm upon obedience to Allah and His Messenger sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam – and this is piety.
And al-’afaafa (abstinence from unlawful) and al-ghinaa (contentment and sufficiency) comprises of being safe from (the harms of) the creation and that the heart is not attached to them.
And it also comprises of being content with Allah and what He provides, and seeking whatever will cause the heart to be satisfied with Him. So with this, happiness in this worldly life is completed, and the heart tastes true sweetness and delight – and this is a goodly life.
So whosoever is granted the provision of guidance, piety, well-being and contentment has indeed achieved true happiness, and has acquired all that could be possibly sought after, as well as being saved from all that is dreadful and frightening.” Excerpt from the introduction to ‘al-Khushoo fis-Salat’ of Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali)
Honor lies in Taqwa. Allah ta’ala says in surah Hujurat, “the most honorable among you are those who have taqwa.” (49:13)
– Being content is very difficult without emaan. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said “If a son of Adam were to own a valley full of gold, he would desire to have two. Nothing can fill his mouth except the dust (of the grave). Allah turns with mercy to him who turns to Him in repentance”. [Bukhari and Muslim] The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi sallam connected greediness and repentance in this hadeeth.
– When you focus on the hereafter, Allah will make you content. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “For the ones whose concern is this world Allah will scatter his affair, and place poverty between his two eyes. And he will not get from the world except what is written for him. And for the one whose intention is the hereafter Allah will gather for him his affair and place contentment in his heart, and the world will come to him willingly.” [ibn Maajah, Saheeh al-Jaami’]
– Allah ta’ala does not love those who are extravagant, He says, “and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not those who waste by extravagance.” (7:31)
– How many of us possess the world?
The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Whosoever begins the day feeling family security and good health; and possessing provision for his day is as though he possessed the whole world.” [Saheeh ibn Maajah]
– Be simple! Abu Umamah bin Tha’labah radi Allahu anhu reported: The Companions of Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned the life of the world before him. He sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Do you not hear? Do you not hear? Simplicity (in life) is part of Faith, simplicity is part of Faith.”[Abu Dawood, Saheeh Abi Dawood]
Research Center For Hadith 