Rabbana Atina Dua: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 201 of 286
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةًۭ وَفِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةًۭ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Translation
others pray, ‘Our Lord, give us good in this world and in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
'And among them is he who says: Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.' al-Saadi and Ibn Kathir note this as the balanced, complete prayer, 'hasana' (good) in both worlds: neither renouncing this life nor drowning in it, but asking that both be good, and asking shelter from the Fire. Ask yourself: notice the balance the verse praises. It rejects two extremes, the person who prays only for worldly gain, forgetting the Hereafter, and the one who imagines faith means despising this world entirely. The model believer asks for both to be good, and for safety from ruin. It sanctifies my worldly hopes, health, family, provision, by asking them from God and alongside the Hereafter. When I pray, is my gaze balanced like this, seeking good here and there, and refuge from the Fire, or lopsided toward only what I want right now?
Grounded in classical tafsir: al-Saadi, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Ashur.
Wording
This verse introduces a group of believers whose profound prayer distinguishes them from those solely focused on worldly gain. Allah Himself is speaking here, describing this comprehensive supplication. This is a prayer for both the blessings of this life and the ultimate rewards of the Hereafter, reflecting a balanced outlook. The immediate context of the surrounding verses shows this supplication as a crucial form of remembrance after completing the Hajj rituals, contrasting with the pre-Islamic practice of boasting about ancestors.
The Power of "A Good Thing"
Central to this supplication is the word "حَسَنَةً" (hasanah), meaning "a good thing" or "a blessing." Notice that it is used in an indefinite form, not "the good thing." Imam al-Razi points out that this is a subtle yet significant act of humility and proper etiquette in supplication. Instead of making a definitive claim for "all good," which might imply certainty or a demand from Allah, asking for "a good thing" acknowledges Allah's infinite wisdom. It leaves the specific nature of that good to His divine knowledge, trusting that He will bestow what is most suitable and aligned with His decree for the supplicant. Ibn Ashur adds that despite its indefinite form, in the context of a general prayer, it conveys a profound comprehensiveness, encompassing all desirable good for the individual.
Seeking Good in Both Worlds
The prayer repeats "حَسَنَةً" (hasanah) for both "ٱلدُّنْيَا" (this world) and "ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ" (the Hereafter). This repetition underscores a balanced and holistic worldview. Believers are encouraged to seek well-being, provision, beneficial knowledge, and righteous deeds in this life, as well as the ultimate joy of Paradise in the next. It’s a prayer that does not abandon the needs of this world for the next, nor vice versa, but rather seeks success in both realms. Al-Razi highlights that this brief prayer is so encompassing that Anas ibn Malik, when asked to add more to it, simply repeated it, saying it already covered all the good of both worlds.
Beyond Just Paradise
Finally, the supplication adds "وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ" (and protect us from the punishment of the Fire). One might wonder why this is explicitly mentioned if "hasanah in the Hereafter" already implies Paradise. Ibn Ashur and al-Jalalayn clarify that attaining "hasanah in the Hereafter" (Paradise) could, theoretically, occur after experiencing some form of punishment. Therefore, the explicit plea for protection from the Fire is a clear request for complete salvation and direct entry into Paradise, safeguarding the supplicant from any torment whatsoever. This shows the depth of the believer's yearning for ultimate, unblemished favor from Allah.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201 is discussed in 6 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.