Duduk Diantara Dua Sujud

(5) Its content: These duas contain everything a servant needs for his good in this world and in the Hereafter, so when we say them it is fitting that we know their meanings, so that we are more earnest when we ask. The meanings contained in the dua above are: First: (اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي), that is, forgive my sins, or forgive my shortcomings in obedience. In this dua the servant asks to be spared punishment in this world and in the Hereafter caused by his sins or by his shortcomings in carrying out acts of obedience. Second: (وَارْحَمْنِي), that is, mercy or compassion that comes from You, not because of my deeds. This is something greatly needed in this world and in the Hereafter. In this world one asks, by His compassion, to remain always among His believing and righteous servants; in the Hereafter one implores, by His compassion, to be admitted into His Paradise and kept far from His punishment. Third: (وَاهْدِنِي) to do righteous deeds, or keep me firm upon the true religion. This is for the servant's welfare in the Hereafter, because everyone in this world whom Allah grants the guidance of tawfiq to remain on the right path, and whom He guides so that he is able to do righteous deeds, has thereby a means of salvation in the Hereafter. From this we know that we are in great need of asking Allah for guidance; that is why we are obliged to recite Al-Fatihah in the prayer, which contains a request to Allah for guidance. Fourth: (وَعَافِنِي) from the various dangers of this world and the Hereafter, or from outward and inward illnesses. For asking for well-being is not only for while we are alive in this world; we must also ask for well-being after death. Do we not, when one of our brothers has died, pray for him "allahummaghfir lahu, warhamhu, wa 'aafihi…."? Fifth: (وَارْزُقْنِي), that is, good provision: provision in the form of tawfiq in carrying out acts of obedience, or provision in the form of a high rank in the Hereafter. From this we know that provision does not have to be material, because everything Allah gives is provision. And provision in reality comes from Allah, so we should ask Allah and no one else. Allah the Exalted says: إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لَكُمْ رِزْقًا فَابْتَغُوا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الرِّزْقَ وَاعْبُدُوهُ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ ۖ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ [translation not shown] (Surah Al-'Ankabut: 17) Sixth: (وَارْفَعْنِي), that is, in this world and in the Hereafter. Seventh: (وَاجْبُرْنِي) is taken from "جَبَرَ اللَّهُ مُصِيبَتَهُ": Allah compensated him for his calamity, that is, by restoring what he had lost or replacing it. (See: Mirqotul Mafatih Syarhu Misykatil Mashobih, 2/726)