This is Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalaam’s supplication to Allah when He brought Isma`il Alaihissalaam to Makkah.
Word-by-word Meanings:
Transliteration
Arabic
Translation
Rabbi
رَبِّ
My Lord
ij’al
اجْعَلْ
Make
haatha
هَٰذَا
this
al-balada
الْبَلَدَ
city
aaminan
آمِنًا
secure
wajnubnee
وَاجْنُبْنِي
and keep me away
wabaniyya
وَبَنِيَّ
and my sons
an
أَن
that
na’buda
نَّعْبُدَ
we worship
al-asnaam
الْأَصْنَامَ
the idols
Allah mentions here, while bringing forth more evidences against Arab polytheists, that the Sacred House in Makkah was established on the worship of Allah alone, without partners. He also states that Ibrahim Alaihissalaam, who establsihed the city, had disowned those who worship others besides Allah, and that he begged Allah to make Makkah peaceful and secure.
(O my Lord! Make this city (Makkah) of peace and security,) and Allah accepted his supplication.
Allah said in other Ayat,
(Have they not seen that We have made (Makkah) a secure sanctuary.) 29:67 and,
(Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Makkah, full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-‘Alamin. In it are manifest signs, the Maqam of Ibrahim; whosoever enters it, he attains security.) 3:96
Ibrahim Alaihissalaam then said,
(and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.) It is proper for whoever supplicates to Allah to also ask for the benefit of his parents and offspring, as well as himself.
“My Lord! grant me wisdom and join me with the righteous.And grant me an honorable mention among the later generations.And make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Delight”
Rabbi hab lee hukman wa-alhiqnee bis–saaliheen. Waj’al lee lisaana sidqin fil-aakhireen.Waj’alnee min warathati jannatin-na’eem
Surah Ash-Shu’ara ,verse 83-85
It can be recited for
Wisdom
Piety and taqwa
Respect and Honour
To be blessed with a lofty place in Jannah
This is the supplication of Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalaam
Listen to the recitation of this dua.
Here Ibrahim, upon him be peace, asks his Lord to give him Hukm. Ibn `Abbas said, “This is knowledge.”
(and join me with the righteous.) means, `make me one of the righteous in this world and the Hereafter.’
This is like the words the Prophet said three times when he was dying:
(O Allah, with the Exalted Companion (of Paradise)).
(And grant me an honorable mention in later generations.) meaning, `cause me to be remembered in a good manner after my death, so that I will be spoken of and taken as a good example.’
This is like the Ayah,
(And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations: “Salam (peace) be upon Ibrahim. Thus indeed do we reward the good doers.) (37:108-110)
(And make me one of the inheritors of the Paradise of Delight.) meaning, `bless me in this world with honorable mention after I am gone, and in the Hereafter by making me one of the inheritors of the Paradise of Delight.’
Allah Subhaanahu wataa’la says in the Holy Quran:-
(69. And recite to them the story of Ibrahim.)
Here Allah Subhaanahu wataa’la tells us about His servant, Messenger and Close Friend, Ibrahim, upon him be peace, the leader of the pure monotheists.
Allah commanded His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to recite this story to his Ummah so that they could follow this example of sincerity towards Allah, putting one’s trust in Him, worshiping Him Alone with no partner or associate, and renouncing Shirk and its people.
Allah granted guidance to Ibrahim Alaihissalaam before, i.e., from a very early age he had denounced his people’s practice of worshiping idols with Allah, may He be exalted.
(70. When he said to his father and his people: “What do you worship”) (71. They said: “We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted.”) (72. He said: “Do they hear you when you call”) (73. “Or do they benefit you or do they cause harm”) (74. They said: “(Nay) but we found our fathers doing so.”) (75. He said: “Do you observe that which you have been worshiping –”) (76. “You and your ancient fathers”) (77. “Verily, they are enemies to me, save the Lord of Al-`Alamin,”)
(78. Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me.) (79. And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink.) (80. And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me.) (81. And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life. ) (82. And Who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense.)
Here Ibrahim Alaihissalaam mentions Allah Subhaanahu wataa’la‘s Kindness towards Him
Ibrahim Alaihissalaam said,
(And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me.) meaning, `when I fall sick, no one is able to heal me but Him, Who heals me with the means that may lead to recovery’. Here he attributed sickness to himself, even though it is Allah Who decrees it, out of respect towards Allah Subhaanahu wataa’la.
Allah tells us that after He helped His close friend Ibrahim, peace be upon him, against his people, and after Ibrahim peace be upon him gave up hoping that they would ever believe despite all the mighty signs that they had witnessed, he emigrated away from them, and said:
(Verily, I am going to my Lord. He will guide me! My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous.) meaning, obedient children, in compensation for his people and relatives whom he had left.
Allah said:
(So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy.) This child was Isma`il, peace be upon him, for he was the first child of whom glad tidings were given to Ibrahim, peace be upon him, and he was older than Ishaq Alaihissalaam. The Muslims and the People of the Book agree, and indeed it is stated in their Book, that Isma`il, peace be upon him, was born when Ibrahim, peace be upon him, was eighty-six years old, and Ishaq Alaihissalaam was born when Ibrahim Alaihissalaam was ninety-nine years old.
This is the supplication of Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalaam and his followers.
Listen to the recitation of this dua.
Allah says in the Holy Quran:-
”(4. Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people: “Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone,” — except the saying of Ibrahim to his father: “Verily, I will ask forgiveness for you, but I have no power to do anything for you before Allah.” “Our Lord! In You we put our trust, and to You we turn in repentance, and to You is the final Return.”) (5. “Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the disbelievers, and forgive us, Our Lord! Verily, You, only You, are the Almighty, the All-Wise.”)
Allah mentions the good example of Ibrahim Alaihissalaam and his followers, when they disowned their disbelieving people.
They said
(Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the disbelievers,) Mujahid said, “It means, `Do not punish us by their hands, nor with a punishment from You.’ Or they will say, `Had these people been following the truth, the torment would not have struck them’.” Ad-Dahhak said something similar. Qatadah said, “Do not give the disbelievers victory over us, thus subjecting us to trials by their hands. Surely, if You do so, they would then think that they were given victory over us because they are on the truth.” This is the meaning that Ibn Jarir preferred. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn `Abbas: “Do not give them dominance over us, lest we suffer trials by their hands.”
(and forgive us, Our Lord! Verily, You, only You, are the Almighty, the All-Wise.) means, `cover our mistakes from being exposed to other than You, and forgive us for what (sin) is between us and You.. Those who seek refuge in Your majesty are never dealt with unjustly. You are the All-Wise in Your statements, actions, legislation and decrees.’
Allah the Exalted said,
(6. Certainly, there has been in them an excellent example for you to follow – for those who look forward to (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day. And whosoever turns away, then verily, Allah is Al-Ghani, Al-Hamid.)
(O my Lord! Make me one who performs Salah,), preserving its obligations and limits,
(and (also) from my offspring,), make them among those who establish the prayer, as well,
(our Lord! And accept my invocation.), all of my invocation which I invoked You with herein,
(Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents,) Ibrahim said this before he declared himself innocent from his father, after he became sure that he was an enemy of Allah.
(and the believers), all of them,
(on the Day when the reckoning will be established.) on the Day when You will reckon Your servants and recompense or reward them for their deeds – good for good and evil for evil.
“ Our Lord, and Make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our offspring a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our ways of worship (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and ‘Umrah, etc.)and turn to us (in Mercy); Indeed, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.”
To make yourself and your offspring submit to Allah
Forgiveness of your sins
Acceptance of your repentance
Word-by-word Meanings:
Transliteration
Arabic
Translation
Rabbanaa
رَبَّنَا
Our Lord,
waj’alnaa
وَاجْعَلْنَا
and Make us
muslimayni
مُسْلِمَيْنِ
both Muslims [in submission]
laka
لَكَ
to You
wamin
وَمِن
and from
thurriyyatinaa
ذُرِّيَّتِنَا
our offspring
ummatan
أُمَّةً
a nation
muslimatan
مُّسْلِمَةً
Muslim (SUBMISSIVE)
laka
لَّكَ
to You
wa-arinaa
وَأَرِنَا
And show us
manaasikanaa
مَنَاسِكَنَا
our ways of worship
watub
وَتُبْ
and turn
‘alaynaa
عَلَيْنَا ۖ
to us (in Mercy)
innaka
إِنَّكَ
Indeed, You
anta
أَنتَ
(You) are
At-tawwaabu
التَّوَّابُ
the One Who accepts repentance,
Ar-raheem
الرَّحِيمُ
the Most Merciful
Allah said that Ibrahim Alaihissalaam and Isma`il Alaihissalaam supplicated to Him,
“Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik, and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.”
Ibn Jarir said, “They meant by their supplication, `Make us submit to Your command and obedience and not associate anyone with You in obedience or worship.”
Also, `Ikrimah commented on the Ayah,
“Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You”
“Allah said, `I shall do that.”’
“And of our offspring a nation submissive unto You”
Allah said, `I shall do that.’”
This supplication by Ibrahim Alaihissalaam and Isma`il Alaihissalaam is similar to what Allah informed us of about His believing servants,
“And those who say: `Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the Muttaqin” (25:74).
This type of supplication is allowed, because loving to have offspring who worship Allah alone without partners is a sign of complete love of Allah. This is why when Allah said to Ibrahim Alaihissalaam ,
“Verily, I am going to make you an Imam (a leader) for mankind (to follow you)”
Ibrahim Alaihissalaam said,
“And of my offspring (to make leaders).”
Allah said, “My covenant (prophethood) includes not the Zalimin (polytheists and wrongdoers)” which is explained by,
“And keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols”
Muslim narrated in his Sahih that Abu Hurayrah Radi Allahu anhu said that the Messenger of Allah Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam said,
“When the son of Adam dies, his deeds end except for three deeds: an ongoing charity, a knowledge that is being benefited from and a righteous son who supplicates (to Allah) for him.”
The Meaning of Manasik
Sa`id bin Mansur said that `Attab bin Bashir informed us from Khasif, from Mujahid who said, “The Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalaam supplicated,
“and show us our Manasik”
Jibril then came down, took him to the House and said, `Raise its foundations.’
Ibrahim Alaihissalaam raised the House’s foundations and completed the building. Jibril held Ibrahim Alaihissalaam’s hand, led him to As-Safa and said, `This is among the rituals of Allah.’ He then took him to Al-Marwah and said, `And this is among the rituals of Allah.’ He then took him to Mina until when they reached the `Aqabah, they found Iblis standing next to a tree. Jibril said, `Say Takbir (Allah is the Great) and throw (pebbles) at him.’ Ibrahim Alaihissalaam said the Takbir and threw (pebbles at) Iblis.
Iblis moved to the middle Jamrah, and when Jibril and Ibrahim Alaihissalaam passed by him, Jibril said to Ibrahim Alaihissalaam, `Say Takbir and throw at him.’ Ibrahim Alaihissalaam threw at him and said Takbir. The devious Iblis sought to add some evil acts to the rituals of Hajj, but he was unable to succeed. Jibril took Ibrahim Alaihissalaam’s hand and led him to Al-Mash`ar Al-Haram and `Arafat and said to him, `Have you `Arafta (known, learned) what I showed you’ thrice. Ibrahim Alaihissalaam
said, `Yes I did.”’ Similar statements were reported from Abu Mijlaz and Qatadah.
For the acceptance of all your good deeds. For example, salah, fasting, zakat etc.
This is the du’aa of the Prophets Ibrahim and Isma`il Alaihissalaam. They made theis du’aa while they were building the Holy Kaaba.
WORD-BY-WORD Meanings:
Transliteration
Arabic
Translation
Rabbanaa
رَبَّنَا
Our Lord!
taqabbal
تَقَبَّلْ
Accept (this service)
minnaa
مِنَّا ۖ
from us
innaka
إِنَّكَ
Indeed! You
anta
أَنتَ
(You) are
As-samee’u
السَّمِيعُ
the All-Hearing,
Al ‘aleem
الْعَلِيمُ
the All-Knowing
The Prophets Ibrahim and Isma`il Alaihissalaam were performing a good deed, yet they asked Allah to accept this good deed from them.
Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that Wuhayb bin Al-Ward recited,
“And (remember) when Ibrahim and (his son) Isma`il were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka`bah at Makkah), (saying), “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us” and cried and said, “O Khalil of Ar-Rahman! You raise the foundations of the House of Ar-Rahman (Allah), yet you are afraid that He will not accept it from you”
This is the behavior of the sincere believers.
There is an authentic Hadith narrated by `A’ishah Radi Allahu anha on this subject.
Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, “Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalaam took Isma`il Alaihissalaam and his mother and went away with them until he reached the area of the House, where he left them next to a tree above Zamzam in the upper area of the Masjid. During that time, Isma`il Alaihissalaam ‘s mother was still nursing him. Makkah was then uninhabited, and there was no water source in it. Ibrahim Alaihissalaam left them there with a bag containing some dates and a water-skin containing water. Ibrahim Alaihissalaam then started to leave, and Isma`il Alaihissalaam ‘s mother followed him and said, `O Ibrahim! To whom are you leaving us in this barren valley that is not inhabited’ She repeated the question several times and Ibrahim Alaihissalaam did not reply. She asked, `Has Allah commanded you to do this’ He said, `Yes.’ She said, `I am satisfied that Allah will never abandon us.’
Ibrahim Alaihissalaam left and when he was far enough away where they could not see him, close to Thaniyyah, he faced the House, raised his hands and supplicated,
“O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka`bah at Makkah) until (Give thanks)’’ (14:37).
Isma`il Alaihissalaam ‘s mother then returned to her place, started drinking water from the water-skin and nursing Isma`il Alaihissalaam. When the water was used up, she and her son became thirsty. She looked at him, and he was suffering from thirst; she left, because she disliked seeing his face in that condition. She found the nearest mountain to where she was, As-Safa, ascended it and looked, in vain, hoping to see somebody.
When she came down to the valley, she raised her garment and ran, just as a tired person runs, until she reached the Al-Marwah mountain. In vain, she looked to see if there was someone there. She ran to and fro (between the two mountains) seven times.” Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam said, “This is why the people make the trip between As-Safa and Al-Marwah (during Hajj and Umrah).”
“When she reached Al-Marwah, she heard a voice and said, `Shush,’ to herself. She tried to hear the voice again and when she did, she said, `I have heard you. Do you have relief’ She found the angel digging with his heel (or his wing) where Zamzam now exists, and the water gushed out. Isma`il Alaihissalaam ‘s mother was astonished and started digging, using her hand to transfer water to the water-skin.” Ibn `Abbas said that the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam then said, “May Allah grant His mercy to the mother of Isma`il, had she left the water, (flow naturally without her intervention), it would have been flowing on the surface of the earth.”
“Isma`il Alaihissalaam ‘s mother started drinking the water and her milk increased for her child. The angel (Gabriel) said to her, `Do not fear abandonment. There shall be a House for Allah built here by this boy and his father. Allah does not abandon His people.’ During that time, the area of the House was raised above ground level and the floods used to reach its right and left sides.
Afterwards, some people of the tribe of Jurhum, passing through Kada’, made camp at the bottom of the valley. They saw some birds, they were astonished, and said, `Birds can only be found at a place where there is water. We did not notice before that this valley had water.’ They sent a scout or two who searched the area, found the water, and returned to inform them about it. Then they all went to Isma`il Alaihissalaam ‘s mother, next to the water, and said, `O Mother of Isma`il! Will you allow us to be with you or dwell with you’ She said, `Yes. But you will have no exclusive right to the water here.’ They said, `We agree.”’ Ibn `Abbas said that the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam
said, “At that time, Isma`il Alaihissalaam ‘s mother liked to have human company.”
“And thus they stayed there and sent for their relatives to join them. Later on, her boy reached the age of puberty and married a lady from them, for Isma`il Alaihissalaam learned Arabic from them, and they liked the way he was raised. Isma`il Alaihissalaam ‘s mother died after that.
Ibrahim Alaihissalaam then came back visiting and found Isma`il Alaihissalaam behind the Zamzam well, next to a tree, mending his arrows. When he saw Ibrahim Alaihissalaam , he stood up and they greeted each other, just as the father and son greet each other. Ibrahim Alaihissalaam said, `O Isma`il, Your Lord has ordered me to do something.’ He said, `Obey your Lord.’ He asked Isma`il Alaihissalaam , `Will you help me’ He said, `Yes, I will help you.’ Ibrahim Alaihissalaam said, `Allah has commanded me to build a house for Him there, ‘ and he pointed to an area that was above ground level. So, both of them rose and started to raise the foundations of the House. Ibrahim Alaihissalaam started building (the Ka`bah), while Isma`il Alaihissalaam continued handing him the stones. Both of them were saying, `O our Lord ! Accept (this service) from us, Verily, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.‘ (2.127).”’ Hence, they were building the House, part by part, going around it and saying this supplication.
”(4. Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people: “Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone,” — except the saying of Ibrahim to his father: “Verily, I will ask forgiveness for you, but I have no power to do anything for you before Allah.” “Our Lord! In You we put our trust, and to You we turn in repentance, and to You is the final Return.”)
Allah mentions the good example of Ibrahim Alaihissalaam and his followers, when they disowned their disbelieving people.
They said
(Our Lord! In You we put our trust, and to You we turn in repentance, and to You is the final Return.) meaning, `we trust in You for all matters, we surrender all of our affairs to You, and to You is the final Return in the Hereafter,’
