“Indeed, this is Our provision, which will never run out.” 1).

His words, “I ask You for a delight of the eye that never ceases”: delight of the eye is one form of bliss. Some bliss comes to an end, while some never ends. Whoever finds delight in this world will find that delight cut short and its joy fleeting. Moreover, it is tainted by fear of calamities and all that may mar it. Thus, the believer finds no true delight in this world except in loving Allah, remembering Him, and steadfastly obeying Him. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The delight of my eye has been placed in prayer”2. Whoever thereby attains delight of the eye has attained a delight that never ceases, whether in this world, in the intermediate realm, or in the Hereafter.

His words, “I ask You for contentment after the decree has come to pass”: he asked for contentment after the decree because it is then that true contentment becomes manifest. Contentment before the decree is merely the servant’s resolve to be content; contentment is truly realized only when the decree comes to pass.

His words, “I ask You for a pleasant life after death”: this indicates that true life, with all its sweetness and comfort, is only after death. Life before death is marred by troubles. Even if death were the only thing to mar it, that would be enough—let alone the many other things that mar it, such as worries, grief, illness, old age, separation from loved ones, and much else besides.

His words, “I ask You for the pleasure of looking upon Your Face and the longing to meet You, without harmful adversity or a trial that leads astray”: in this he combined the sweetest thing in this world—longing to meet Allah, Glorified is He—with the sweetest thing in the Hereafter—looking upon