The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to seek refuge with Allah from four things after reciting the last Tashahhud and before ending the prayer, and he commanded us to do the same. First: from the punishment of the grave. Second: from the punishment of Hellfire on the Day of Judgment. Third: from the trials of life, including its forbidden desires and its misleading doubts, and from the trials of death, i.e., the time of dying, including deviation from Islam or from the Sunnah, or the trial of the grave like the questioning of the two angels. Fourth: from the trial of the Antichrist who will come at the end of time as an affliction from Allah to test His slaves. The Antichrist was mentioned in particular because of the gravity of his trial and misguidance.
- This form of Isti‘ādhah (seeking refuge with Allah) is among the most important and most comprehensive supplications as it includes seeking refuge from the evils of this worldly life and the Hereafter.
- Affirmation of the punishment of the grave and that it is real.
- The gravity of the trials and the importance of seeking Allah's help and supplicating Him to be saved from such trials.
- Proving the emergence of the Dajjāl (Antichrist) and the severity of his trial.
- It is recommended to recite this supplication after the last Tashahhud.
- It is recommended to make Du‘ā’ (supplication) after performing a righteous deed.
صحيح البخاري (2/ 99) (1377). صحيح مسلم (1/ 412) (588). الإلمام بشرح عمدة الأحكام، لإسماعيل الأنصاري (1/ 172). تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام، للبسام (ص212). خلاصة الكلام شرح عمدة الأحكام، لفيصل آل مبارك (ص96).