Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) relates that if any distress befell the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), he would say: Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, bi- Rahmatika astagheeth (‘O Living, O Sustaining, in Your Mercy I seek relief!’). [Related by Tirmidhi, Sunan (3600)] The Living (al-Hayy) is the One who alone has absolute, independent life. The Sustaining (al-Qayyum) is the One who alone needs none to sustain Him, and who sustains all things at all times, in every way. Relief (istighatha) is seeking assistance and salvation from danger or distress.