رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana Atina Fid Dunya Hasanah: Arabic, Meaning, and Virtues
At a Glance
Surah Al-Baqarah, the 2nd surah of the Quran
Verse 2:201, revealed in Madinah
Goodness in this world and the next, safety from the Fire
The Prophet’s most frequently recited dua (Sahih al-Bukhari 6389)
The Dua in Arabic
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.
Our Lord, give us in this world that which is good, and in the Hereafter that which is good, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
اے ہمارے رب! ہمیں دنیا میں بھی بھلائی عطا فرما اور آخرت میں بھی بھلائی عطا فرما اور ہمیں دوزخ کے عذاب سے بچا۔
Word-by-Word Breakdown
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| رَبَّنَا | Rabbana | Our Lord |
| آتِنَا | atina | Give us, grant us |
| فِي الدُّنْيَا | fid-dunya | In this world, in this present life |
| حَسَنَةً | hasanah | Good, goodness, all that is good |
| وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ | wa fil-akhirati | And in the Hereafter |
| حَسَنَةً | hasanah | Good, goodness, all that is good |
| وَقِنَا | wa qina | And protect us, save us |
| عَذَابَ النَّارِ | ‘adhaban-nar | From the punishment of the Fire |
The word doing the heaviest lifting here is hasanah. It is a deliberately open word in Arabic, covering every kind of good: outward and inward, material and spiritual, big and small. Saying it once covers the health of your body, the peace of your heart, the safety of your family, and your rank in Paradise. That is why scholars call this dua jami‘ah, a comprehensive supplication.
The Context: Two Kinds of Askers
This verse comes in a passage about the rites of Hajj. Allah describes two kinds of people after they complete their worship. The first kind says, “Our Lord, give us in this world,” and asks for nothing beyond it. The Quran says plainly that such people will have no portion in the Hereafter (2:200). They treated this life as the whole story.
The second kind says our dua: they ask for good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and they end by seeking protection from the Fire (2:201). The very next verse promises that “those will have a share of what they have earned” (2:202). The placement is no accident. The Quran is teaching us the correct posture of asking: take this world seriously, take the next world even more seriously, and never forget the danger you are asking to be saved from.
That is why this dua is quoted so often in works of tafsir. Imam Ibn Kathir notes that “good in this world” covers everything a person could want from lawful, beneficial things: halal provision, a righteous spouse, healthy children, beneficial knowledge, good deeds, safety, and contentment of the heart. And “good in the Hereafter” means Paradise, safety on the Day of Reckoning, and the pleasure of Allah. You can read the full context on our Surah Al-Baqarah page.
Virtues and Benefits
The single greatest virtue of this dua is who loved it most. Anas ibn Malik (RA) served the Prophet (peace be upon him) for ten years, so he heard him make dua thousands of times. When asked which dua the Prophet repeated most often, he answered: “O Allah, our Lord, give us in this world that which is good, and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire.” This is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (6389). If the man who taught us every dua chose this one above the rest, that alone tells us its rank.
Why would the Prophet (peace be upon him) choose it so often? Because it leaves nothing out. It asks for the dunya without drowning in it, asks for the akhirah without neglecting the life Allah gave us, and asks for protection from the Fire, the one loss that can never be undone. Three short clauses, and every legitimate human need is inside them.
It also protects the heart from two opposite diseases. When life is hard, saying “give us good in this world” keeps you from despair, because you are asking with hope. When life is easy, saying “and in the Hereafter” keeps you from arrogance, because you remember that this world is not the prize. And the final clause keeps the fear of the Fire alive, which is the fear that keeps a believer honest.
No fixed number of repetitions is authentically prescribed for this dua, and it does not need one. Say it once with presence of heart, or make it part of your daily routine. What matters is that you mean what you ask.
When and How to Recite
Because this dua is so short and so complete, it fits naturally into almost every moment of worship. People commonly recite it after the obligatory prayers, in the last third of the night, and during personal supplication at any time. It is also traditionally recited during tawaf, between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone (Sunan Abi Dawud 1892).
You can also make it your intention-specific dua. The word hasanah is wide enough to hold whatever good you are asking for: lawful income, healing, a righteous spouse, children, knowledge, or peace in your home. Recite it with that intention, and Allah knows what is in your heart. Many pair it with other Quranic duas, such as the forty Rabbana duas, in their daily routine.
FAQ
What does Rabbana Atina Fid Dunya Hasanah mean?
It means: “Our Lord, give us in this world that which is good, and in the Hereafter that which is good, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” It is a request for goodness in both lives, sealed with a plea for safety from Hell. The word hasanah (good) is intentionally broad, covering health, provision, family, knowledge, contentment, Paradise, and everything else beneficial.
Why did the Prophet recite this dua more than any other?
Anas ibn Malik (RA) reported that it was the Prophet’s most frequent invocation (Sahih al-Bukhari 6389). Scholars explain the reason: it is the most comprehensive dua in three clauses. It asks for the world without forgetting the Hereafter, and it ends with protection from the Fire, the loss that matters most.
Which surah is this dua in?
It is verse 201 of Surah Al-Baqarah, the second surah of the Quran, revealed in Madinah. It appears in a passage about Hajj (2:200–202), contrasting those who ask only for this world with those who ask for good in both worlds.
When is the best time to recite this dua?
There is no restricted time, so it can be recited whenever you make dua. Common practice includes after the obligatory prayers, in the last third of the night, during personal supplication, and during tawaf between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone. Many make it a daily habit because of its brevity.
Can I recite this dua in sujood?
Scholars permit saying it in sujood with the intention of making dua, since the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged supplication in prostration, when the servant is closest to his Lord (Sahih Muslim). What is discouraged is reciting the Quran in sujood as mere recitation, so make your intention clear: you are asking, not reciting.
Can I recite it for a specific need, like marriage or rizq?
Yes. The word hasanah is wide enough to carry any specific good you have in mind. Scholars note that a righteous spouse and lawful provision are both included in “good in this world.” Recite the dua with your intention present in your heart, since Allah knows what you need even before you name it.
How do you pronounce this dua?
Say it as: “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.” Read it slowly, word by word, until the sounds feel natural. Following the Arabic text above while listening to a reliable recitation is the best way to correct your pronunciation.
Final Thoughts
Ask for this world, but do not let it own you. Ask for the next world, but do not abandon the life you were given. And never forget to ask for safety from the Fire. That is the whole balance of a believer’s life, packed into twelve words that the Prophet (peace be upon him) could not stop repeating. Learn them, say them daily, and let them shape what you hope for.
Continue Reading
Explore the Rabbana duas of the Quran, the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, or return to the Quranic duas hub to discover more supplications.