What is the validity of this supplication: "May Allah prolong your life," given that lifespans are a matter already decreed?
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Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, what is the validity of this supplication, "May Allah prolong your life" or "May Allah keep you alive," given that lifespans are a matter already decreed?
Answer:
Regarding the phrase "May Allah prolong your life" or "May Allah prolong your existence," he says: "May Allah prolong your life in goodness" or "May Allah prolong your existence in goodness." Add a little to it so that it becomes a valid supplication. Because the intended meaning of lifespans is righteous deeds. The intention is not the length or shortness of life. The intention is the righteous deed within it. And the best of you, as in the hadith,Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2329Hasan (Darussalam) Yes.
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, what is the validity of this supplication, "May Allah prolong your life" or "May Allah keep you alive," given that lifespans are a matter already decreed?
Answer:
Regarding the phrase "May Allah prolong your life" or "May Allah prolong your existence," he says: "May Allah prolong your life in goodness" or "May Allah prolong your existence in goodness." Add a little to it so that it becomes a valid supplication. Because the intended meaning of lifespans is righteous deeds. The intention is not the length or shortness of life. The intention is the righteous deed within it. And the best of you, as in the hadith,
He whose life is long and his deeds are good.
من طال عمره وحسن عمله.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، [535 -1024] ما صحة هذا الدعاء: "أطال الله عمرك"، مع أن الأعمار شيء قد فرغ منه؟ - الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.