A man praying who comes to a verse of mercy or a verse of punishment

Sayyiduna Abu Layla (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I prayed alongside the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) was offering voluntary prayer at night. He recited a verse and after it said: "I seek refuge in Allah from the Fire, and woe to the people of the Fire."

Masruq said: Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) recited this verse: "So Allah conferred favour upon us and protected us from the punishment of the scorching Fire" [Al-Tur: 27]. After it she said: "O Allah, confer Your favour upon us and protect us from the punishment of Hell; indeed You are the Most Kind, the Most Merciful."

Al-A'mash was asked: Was it in the prayer? He said: In the prayer.

Abbad bin Hamzah said: I went to Sayyidah Asma' (may Allah be pleased with her) while she was reciting this verse: "So Allah conferred favour upon us and protected us from the punishment of the scorching Fire" [Al-Tur: 27]. She paused at this verse and began seeking refuge with Allah Almighty and supplicating. Abbad said: I went to the market, and when I returned after seeing to my need, she was still seeking refuge and supplicating.

Sayyiduna Abdullah (bin Mas'ud) (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When one of you, in prayer, passes by a mention of Hell, let him seek refuge from Hell; and when he passes by a mention of Paradise, let him ask Allah for Paradise.

Al-Hasan saw no harm in a person, when he passes by a verse, asking accordingly. Ibn Sirin disliked it.

Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I prayed with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When he recited a verse of glorification, he glorified Allah Almighty; when he recited a verse of supplication, he supplicated; and when he recited a verse of seeking refuge, he sought refuge with Allah.