the Sunnah of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, concerning its names must be believed and affirmed by the believer.

His statement, “from the punishment of Hell”: does this mean that one seeks refuge in Allah from committing the sins that lead to Hell, or that one seeks refuge in Allah from Hell itself—while, if he disobeys, he asks Allah for forgiveness—or does it encompass both matters?

The answer: It encompasses both. He seeks refuge in Allah from the punishment of Hell; that is, from committing the causes that lead to the punishment of Hell.

And “from the punishment of Hell” means: from the punishment of Hell if he commits the causes that necessitate it. For a person is in one of two states: either he is protected from sins—this is Allah’s protection from committing the cause—or he is pardoned for his sins, and this is Allah’s protection from the effect of the cause.

By our saying, “protection from sins,” we do not mean absolute protection from sin, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Every son of Adam is prone to err, and the best of those who err are those who repent.” (1) He also said: “If you did not commit sins, Allah would take you away and bring a people who would commit sins, then seek Allah’s forgiveness, and He would forgive them.” (2)

His statement, “and from the punishment of the grave,” is coordinated with “from the punishment of Hell.” The punishment of the grave is the punishment that occurs therein. The basic meaning of the grave is the burial place of the deceased. Allah Most High says:

“Then He causes him to die and provides a grave for him.” [Surah ‘Abasa]

Ibn