<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br> 1) The believer should ask Allah to make him among those whose lives are long and their deeds are good.<br> 2) Long life does not necessarily bode well for the individual except if his deeds are good.<br> <br> <b>Benefit:</b><br> Some scholars disliked making supplication for long life without restricting it (to long life in obedience to Allah). Instead, one should supplicate for a long life filled with obedience to Allah. Um Habibah, wife of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) once said: “O Allah, give me the joy of being with my husband, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and of being with my father Abu Sufyān, and my brother Mu‘āwiyah.” The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: “You have asked Allah regarding life terms that are already set, and days already allotted, and sustenances already fixed. Nothing will happen before its decreed time or be delayed beyond its decreed time. Had you asked Allah to provide you refuge from the torment of the hellfire or from the torment of the grave, it would have been better for you.” [Narrated by Muslim]