Question

Asalam Alaikum. I wouuld like to know whether it is halal or haram to ask Allah (swt) to be punished in this life (on earth) rather than the hereafter (judgement day). In addition, by punishment i mean whether you can ask Allah to make you suffer through a certain diease or etc. Thi question has been lingering in my mind for a couple of years and i would like to know your opinion.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The Prophet forbade us to supplicate with what you mentioned in the question. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet visited a person from amongst the Muslims who had grown feeble like a chicken (because of his illness). The Prophet asked him: “Did you supplicate for anything or beg Allah about that?” He said: “Yes. I used to utter (these words): “O Allah inflict upon me the punishment in this world that you would punish me with in the Hereafter.” Thereupon the Prophet said: “Glory be to Allah, you have neither the power nor forbearance to take upon yourself (the burden of His Punishment). Why did you not say instead: “O Allah, ‘Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’” He said: “Then the Prophet supplicated for him and Allah cured him.” [Muslim, Ahmad and At-Tirmithi]

An-Nawawi said in his commentary on this Hadeeth reported by Muslim: “This Hadeeth is evidence that it is prohibited to ask that one's punishment be hastened…”

Besides, a person's supplicating to Allah to inflict him/her with a disease is contrary to the order of the Prophet of seeking refuge in Allah from the difficulties of hardships as he said: “Take refuge with Allah from the difficulties of hardships, from the acquisition of wretchedness, and ill-fate, and the taunts of enemies.”

Therefore, dear sister, you should avoid supplicating for hastening the punishment (for your sins), and instead supplicate Allah for good health as His Mercy encompasses your sins and the sins of all the creation.

Allah Knows best.

Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at Islamweb