Dua for Long Life – Shar‘ī Ruling and the Correct Way to Say It
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
What is the ruling on saying phrases such as:
◈ “أَطَالَ اللّٰهُ بَقَاءَكَ” (May Allah prolong your life), or
◈ “طَالَ عُمْرُكَ” (May your life be long)?
Is it permissible in Sharī‘ah to make such a supplication?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
The expressions like:
◈ “أَطَالَ اللّٰهُ بَقَاءَكَ”
◈ “طَالَ عُمْرُكَ”
— should not be used in an absolute sense, without any condition.
✿ Long life can be a means of either goodness or evil.
✿ The worst of people are those whose lives are prolonged while their deeds are corrupt.
If one says:
“اللّٰهُ يُطِيلُ عُمْرَكَ عَلَىٰ طَاعَتِهِ”
“May Allah prolong your life in His obedience,”
— then this is a valid and praiseworthy supplication,
because it conditions the longevity of life upon righteousness and obedience to Allah.
In this case, the increase in lifespan becomes a means of khayr (goodness) and benefit.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām❖ Question:
What is the ruling on saying phrases such as:
◈ “أَطَالَ اللّٰهُ بَقَاءَكَ” (May Allah prolong your life), or
◈ “طَالَ عُمْرُكَ” (May your life be long)?
Is it permissible in Sharī‘ah to make such a supplication?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
Unconditional Du‘ā for a Long Life Is Not Appropriate
The expressions like:
◈ “أَطَالَ اللّٰهُ بَقَاءَكَ”
◈ “طَالَ عُمْرُكَ”
— should not be used in an absolute sense, without any condition.
❖ Why Unqualified Long-Life Du‘ā Is Problematic:
✿ Long life can be a means of either goodness or evil.
✿ The worst of people are those whose lives are prolonged while their deeds are corrupt.
The Correct and Permissible Way:
If one says:
“اللّٰهُ يُطِيلُ عُمْرَكَ عَلَىٰ طَاعَتِهِ”
“May Allah prolong your life in His obedience,”
— then this is a valid and praiseworthy supplication,
because it conditions the longevity of life upon righteousness and obedience to Allah.
In this case, the increase in lifespan becomes a means of khayr (goodness) and benefit.هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
