His words, “I ask You to enable me to speak the truth when pleased and when angry,” are a request to Allah that one speak the truth both when pleased and when angry. Speaking the truth about people when angry is no easy matter, for anger can lead a person to speak falsely and act unjustly. Allah has praised those of His servants who forgive when angered, without allowing their anger to drive them to oppression and aggression. He, Exalted is He, says, “When angered, they forgive” 1. Whoever speaks nothing but the truth, whether angry or pleased, thereby demonstrates the strength of his faith and his ability to control himself. The hadith states, “The strong man is not the one who overpowers others in wrestling; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself when angry” 2.

His words, “I ask You for moderation in poverty and wealth,” mean that one should be moderate whether poor or wealthy. Moderation means following a balanced, middle course. If a person is poor, he should neither be miserly for fear that his provision will run out nor spend extravagantly and burden himself with what he cannot bear. Allah, Exalted is He, says, “Do not keep your hand chained to your neck, nor extend it completely, lest you end up blameworthy and destitute” 3. If he is wealthy, his wealth should not lead him to extravagance and transgression. Allah, Exalted is He, says, “Those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly, but follow a balanced course between the two” 4. A balanced course means moderation and the middle way, which are commendable in all matters.

His words, “I ask You for bliss that never ends”: the bliss that never ends is the bliss of the Hereafter. Allah, Exalted is He, says, “Whatever you have will come to an end, but what is with Allah is everlasting” 5. And He, Exalted is He, says: