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When mentioned without qualification, al-Masīḥ refers to Jesus, son of Mary—peace be upon him; when coupled with the word al-Dajjāl, however, it designates a different man altogether.
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The trial of life (fitnat al-maḥyā) is everything that distracts a person during his lifetime—worldly preoccupations and desires—and its gravest form is an evil end at the moment of death.
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The trial of death (fitnat al-mamāt) is the testing of the grave, as al-Bukhārī records from Asmāʾ bint Abī Bakr: “You will certainly be tested in your graves with a trial similar to, or almost as severe as, the trial of the Dajjāl.”
Hadith Two
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ, who reports from Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (may Allah be pleased with them both): Abū Bakr said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, “Teach me a supplication that I may recite in my prayer.” He replied, “Say: ‘O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself, and none forgives sins but You. So forgive me with a forgiveness from Yourself, and have mercy on me. Truly, You are the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.’”
Overall meaning
Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq asked the Prophet ﷺ to teach him an invocation to recite during his prayer. The Prophet directed him to this concise and beneficial supplication because it contains the most effective means of having one’s plea answered. It opens with an admission of one’s abundant wrongdoing and shortcoming in fulfilling Allah’s rights, followed by affirming that forgiveness, concealment of faults, and every form of benevolence belong solely to Allah. Such a confession demonstrates genuine dependence and the fervency of the request.
After these meaningful acts of entreaty, the supplicant asks Allah alone for forgiveness, for none can grant it but Him, nor bestow it so generously. In doing so he seeks the covering of sins and pardon for slips. Next he asks for mercy, which encompasses every form of good, and he concludes by invoking two of Allah’s noble names, for the One described as All-Forgiving and Most Merciful manifests those attributes by bestowing them upon His servants—especially upon those who turn to Him and take refuge in Him.
Points derived from the hadith
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It is recommended to recite this supplication during the prayer.
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The supplication is notable for its eloquent and coherent structure. Al-Ṣanʿānī remarked: “The beauty of this arrangement is evident: it begins by calling upon the Lord and seeking His help through the admission of sin—an acknowledgement that is closest to erasing it—then affirms the oneness of Allah by restricting the fulfillment of this need, namely the forgiveness of sin, to Him alone, for confining the request to Him is nearer to its acceptance; after that comes the plea for forgiveness of sins and for mercy, which embraces every benefit of this world and the next; finally, the supplication is sealed with these two divine names.”