Finest Prayers (Du'a) from the Holy Qur'an

Submitted by M H Khan at myislamweb.com

A prayer or a du‘a is not the crutch of the weak or the incapable. It is the finest strategy for all kinds of success—whether material or spiritual. Most of the time men have worded their prayers in their own languages. However, the finest of the prayers are the ones worded by Allah(SWT) Himself and mentioned in the Qur’an.

Supplication for acceptance of efforts:
"Rabbanaa ta-qabbal minnaa 'innaka 'Antas-Samii-'ul-'Aliim"

"Our Rabb! accept from us. You indeed, You are the all-Hearing, the all-Knowing." (2:127)

History and Significance:
While Prophet Ibrahim, along with his son Ismail, was raising the foundation of the House of Ka'aba, they both offered this supplication to Allah (swt) to accept their effort of construction. A perfect supplication, that we should offer whenever we are initiating any project or effort.

Supplication for Acceptance of Prayers:
"Rabbij-'alnii muqii-mas-Salaati wa min zurriyyatii, Rabbanaa wa taqabbal Du-'aaa"

"My Rabb! make me steadfast in Salat and from my offspring; our Rabb! and accept my prayer." (14:40)

History and Significance:
In his old age, Prophet Ibrahim (pbh) was gifted with two sons - Isma'il and Is-haq. As a parent, he supplicated to Allah (swt) to make him steadfast in his salat. He also asked to make his offspring steadfast in their salat. Although we may be offering our salat sincerely, it remains with Allah (swt) to accept our salat. Thus , this supplication begs that Allah (swt) may not reject our salat. If Allah (swt) wills, He will reward us for our attempt in making a salat.


Supplication for protection against evil-ones:

"Rabbi'a-uuzubika min hamazaatish -shayaatiini Wa 'a-uuzu bika Rabbi 'any-yahzuruun"

"My Rabb! I take refuge with You -- from the prompting of the Evil-ones;
And I take refuge with You, O Rabb! lest they come up to me." (23:97-98)

History and Significance:
In Surah Al-Mu'minun, Allah (swt) has instructed Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) to recite this supplication in the face of oppression by the leaders of Quraish.


Supplication against oppressors:

"Rabbanaa 'akhrijnaa min haazihil qaryatiz-zalimi 'ahluhaa; waj-'al-lanaa mil la-dunka waliy-yanw waj-'al lanaa milla dunka naseeraa"

"Our Rabb! take us out of this habitat whose people are oppressors, and make for us a protecting-friend from Your presence and make for us a helper from Your presence."(4:75)

History and Significance:
Believing slaves, both males, females and children, who were persecuted in Makkah, made this supplication to Allah to protect them from the oppressors.


Supplication for good of both worlds:
"Rabbanaaa 'aatinaa fiddunyaa hasanatanw wa fil 'aakhirati hasanatanw-wa qinaa 'azaaban-naar."
Our Rabb! give us good in this world, and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the Fire. (2:201)

History and Significance:
This supplication which is made by Muslims are compared to another supplication mentioned in the previous verse (2:200). That supplication is "Our Rabb! give us in this world". That supplicantion, made by worldly individuals, is insufficient and provides no share in the Hereafter. Based on these two supplications, Allah (swt) is recommending us to ask for good in both the worlds, here and the hereafter.


Supplication for knowledge:
"Rabbi zidnee 'ilmaa"
My Rabb! increase me in knowledge. (20:114)

History and Significance:
This supplication is taught to Muhammad (PBUH) by Allah Himself in Surah Ta Ha. The verse relates to an instruction not to hasten with Qur-an before it is completely revealed. While revealation of Qur-an was incomplete, our Rasul (PBUH) was instructed to make this supplication. In our situation, when our knowledge is limited about Qur-an, we should always make this supplication to understand Qur-an more. If Allah grants us knowledge, whether in the field of theology, science or technology, then we should be able to understand Qur-an even better.


Supplication against natural calamity:
"Rabbi law shi'-ta 'ahlak-ta hum-minqablu wa 'iyyaay. 'Atuh-liku-naa bimaa fa-'alas-sufahaa-'uminnaa. 'In hiya 'illaa fitna-tuk. Tuzillu bihaa man-tashaa-'u wa tahdil man-tashaa. 'Anta waliyyunaa fagfir lanaa warhamnaa wa 'anta khayrul-gaafiriin."

"My Rabb! if You had so wished, You could have destroyed them before this, and me. Will You destroy us on account of what the foolish among us have done? This is nothing but Your trial. You leave in straying thereby whom You please and You guide whom You please. You are our Protector, therefore forgive us and have Mercy on us, for You are the Best of forgivers." (7:155)

History and Significance:
During the absence of Prophet Musa (pbh), Israilites took a calf as an object of worship. When Musa returned to his people, he was angry and sad at this development. Then Musa selected 70 men of unsound faith for Allah's tryst. These people of dubious faith were overtaken by an earthquake. At that time, Musa (pbh) made this supplication to rescue the people who were not at fault.

Supplication for offspring:
 Rabbi hab lii mil-ladunka zurriyyatan tayyibah 'innaka samii-'ud-du'aa"

"My Rabb! Give me from Yourself a pure offspring. You are indeed Hearer of prayer." (3:37)

History and Significance:
Prophet Zakariya made this supplication as mentioned in Surah Al-e-Imran. Zakariya was guardian of Maryam. When Maryam grew up in purity and devoutness, Zakariya longed for such a child for himself - a child who would be as pure, virtuous and honorable as Maryam. In the following verse, 3:38, malaks brought the glad tidings of Yahya, "a noble and a chaste man, and a nabi from among the righteous". Note the emphasis at the end of the supplication that Allah is "indeed Hearer of prayer". Do we need any other kind of reassurance?

Supplication for orators and writers:
"Rabbisrah lii sadrii, Wa yassir lii 'amrii, Wahlul 'uqdatam-mil-li-saanii' Yafqahuu qawlii"

"My Rabb! expand for me my breast, and make my affair easy for me, and release the knot from my tongue, they may understand my speech. (20:25-28)"

History and Significance:
Prophet Musa (pbh) made this supplication while proceeding to the court of Fir'awn for the arguments. In this supplication, there is request to increase knowledge base - an important requirement for arguments. The second request is to remove physical limitations or limitation of resources. This limitation could be a writer's block that we often face. Also, the third request is to make a lucid, easy to understand arguments. As we know, Musa (pbh) was succesful in the Fir'awn's court and the wise men in the court had accepted the truth.

Supplication for parents:
"Rabba-nagfir lee wa li-waali-dayya wa lil mu'mi-niina yawma yaquu-mul hisaab"

"Our Rabb! protect me and my parents and the Believers -- on the day when the reckoning is set up." (14:41)

History and Significance:
This supplication, which is a part of a series of supplication made by Prophet Ibrahim (pbh), as mentioned in Surah Ibrahim. This is an extraordinary supplication where Ibrahim (pbh) is not only asking for him and his parents, but for all the believers. This should be an example for us to include other believers in our supplications so that Allah grants His mercy to all Muslims. This supplication is not only for the supplicator and his (her) parents but also for the whole believer community. When we all make this supplication, we are in fact seeking protection for each other on the day of Reckoning.


Supplication for keeping in the right path:
Rabbi hab lii hukmanwa 'alhiqnee bis-saaliheen

"My Rabb! grant me wisdom, and join me with the righteous." (26:83)

History and Significance:
Prophet Ibrahim(pbh) had made this supplication as mentioned in Surah As-Shu'ara (the Poets). Ibrahim (pbh) was making a dawah to his sire Azar and his people. The people were disbelievers. Ibrahim (pbh) while explaing to the people about the truth and benefits of obeying Allah, made this supplication.


Supplication for shelter:
"Rabbi 'innii limaaa 'anzalta 'ilayya min khairin-faqeer"
"My Rabb!I am indeed needy of whatever good You may send to me." (28:24)

History and Significance:
Prophet Musa (pbh) was traveling to the desert of Madyan and he found some men were watering their animals and two women were standing helpless. Musa (pbh) helped these women with water, and then returned to a shade of a tree. At this time, he made this supplication with a reference to the shade of the tree as whatever good thing. Allah responded to this supplication. As a result, one of these women came to him and with an invitation from her old father. The old man was kind to Musa, offered him shelter and gave one of the two daughters in marriage to Musa.


Supplication for victory of Islam:
"Rabbanaa laa tu-'aa-khiznaa 'in-nasiinaa 'aw 'akhta'-naa. Rabbana wa laa tahmil 'alaynaa 'is-ran-kamaa hamal-tahuu 'alal-lazina min-qablinaa. Rabbana wa laa tuhammil-naa maa laa taaqata lanaa bih. Wa'-fu 'annaa wag-fir lanaa, war-ham-na. 'Anta mawlaa naa fan-surnaa 'alal-qawmil kaafireen."

"Our Rabb! do not take us to task if we forget, or we make a mistake; our Rabb! and do not lay upon us a burden as you had lain on those before us; our Rabb! and do not impose upon us that for which no strength have we. Therefore pardon us; and grant us protection; and be kind to us. You are our Patron; therefore help us over the Unbelieving people." (2:286)

History and Significance:
This is the concluding verse of Surah Al-Baqarah. This supplication is very important since one hadith narrates that "whoever prays as taught in the last two verses of the Baqarah, they are sufficient for him" (Bu. 64:12). Although this supplication is meant for victory of Islam, it also stresses the need to be humble and need to protect us from evil.

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Excerpts from the Book "Supplications from the Holy Qur'aan " by Mansur Ahmad

The True Islamic Personality of the Muslim Man as Defined in the Qur'an and Sunnah

By Dr. Muhammad ‘Ali Al-Hashimi
Translated by Nasiruddin Al-Khattab and Revised by Ibrahim M. Kunna and Abu Aya Sulaiman Abdus-Sabur
Copyright and published by the International Islâmic Publishing House (IIPH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1999.


The Ideal Muslim is a man of the highest moral character. In his relationship with his Rabb, himself, family, parents, relatives, friends and the community at large, he has a most excellent example in the prophet of Islam (pbuh). His idealism is further strengthened by the characters of the first generations of Muslims who excelled in all the various fields of human endeavor. He is reassured by the teachings of Islam that he also can reach these noble heights by working to improve his character daily.


Chapter 8: The Muslim and His Friends and Brothers in Islam
The status of two who love one another for the sake of Allah (S.W.T.)
Many Ahâdith describe the status of two people who love one another for the sake of Allah (S.W.T.), and describe the high position in Paradise which He has promised them and the great honor which He will bestow upon them on the Day when mankind is resurrected to meet the Rabb of the Worlds: Among them is the hadsth which describes the seven whom Allah (S.W.T.) will shade on the Day when there is no shade but His:
“…a just leader; a youth who grows up worshipping Allah (S.W.T.); a man who is deeply attached to the mosque; two men who love one another for the sake of Allah (S.W.T.), meeting for His sake and parting for His sake; a man who is called by a beautiful woman and says, ‘I fear Allah (S.W.T.)’; a man who gives charity in secret such that his left hand does not know what his right hand is doing; and a man who remembers Allah (S.W.T.) when he is alone and his eyes fill with tears.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

The two who love one another for the sake of Allah (S.W.T.) are clearly shown to be among those whom Allah (S.W.T.) will shelter with His shade and upon whom He will shower His mercy and kindness. What a great honour! It is enough honor for those who love one another for the sake of Allah (S.W.T.) that their Almighty Rabb will greet them on the Day of Resurrection and say to them: “Where are those who loved one another for My glory? Today I will shade them in My shade on the Day when there is no shade but Mine.” (Muslim)

Such is the magnificent honor and tremendous reward that will be bestowed upon those who truly loved one another for the sake of Allah (S.W.T.), on that awesome Day.


Love for the sake of Allah (S.W.T.), and not for the sake of anything else in this life which is filled with greed, desires and interests, is very difficult, and none can attain it except the one who is pure of heart, for whom this world is as nothing compared to the pleasure of Allah (S.W.T.). It is not surprising that Allah (S.W.T.) should give them a status and blessing which is commensurate with their position in this world, above whose concerns they have risen. We find proof of this in the hadith which Mu‘adh narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:
“Allah (S.W.T.) said: ‘Those who love one another for My glory, will have minbars of light, and the Prophets and martyrs will wish that they had the same.” [1]

Allah (S.W.T.) gives to those who love one another for His sake a gift which is even greater than this status and blessing: that is His precious love which is very difficult to attain. This is proven by the hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (r.a.) in which the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:
“A man went to visit a brother of his in another village. Allah (S.W.T.) sent an angel to wait for him on the road. When the man came along, the angel asked him, ‘Where do you intend to go?’ He said, ‘I am going to visit a brother of mine who lives in this village.’ The angel asked, ‘Have you done him any favour (for which you are now seeking repayment)?’ He said, ‘No. I just love him for the sake of Allah (S.W.T.).’ The angel told him, ‘I am a messenger to you from Allah (S.W.T.), sent to tell you that He loves you as you love your brother for His sake.’” (Muslim)

What a great love, that raises a man to a position where Allah (S.W.T.) loves him and is pleased with him!
The teaching of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) goes even further and states that the better of two brothers who love one another for the sake of Allah (S.W.T.) is the one who loves his brother more. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:
“No two men love one another, but the better of them is the one whose love for his brother is greater.” [2]
Islam goes even further in spreading love in the rightly-guided Muslim society by telling the Muslim that if he loves his brother, he should tell him. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:
“If a man loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves him” [3]

The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) understood the impact of this strong, pure love in building societies and nations, so he never let any occasion pass without advocating this love and commanding the Muslims to announce their love for one another, in order to open hearts and spread love and purity among the ranks of the Ummah.
Anas (r.a.) said that a man was with the Prophet (s.a.w.s.), when another man passed by. The first man said, “O Messenger of Allah, indeed I truly love this man.” The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) asked him, “Have you let him know that?” He said, “No.” The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “Tell him.” He caught up with him and told him, “Truly I love you for the sake of Allah (S.W.T.),” and the man said, “May Allah (S.W.T.) love you who loves me for His sake.”[4]

Mu‘adh began to spread this pure love among the Muslims throughout the Muslim lands, telling them what he had heard from the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) about the great reward that Allah (S.W.T.) had prepared for those who loved one another for His sake, and about His great love for them. In al-Muwatta’, Imam Malik gives a report with a sahih isnad from Abu Idris al-Khulani who said: “I entered the mosque of Damascus, where I saw a young man who had a bright smile, and I saw the people gathered around him. When they disagreed on some matter, they referred it to him, and accepted his opinion. I asked who he was, and they told me, ‘This is Mu‘adh ibn Jabal (r.a.).’ Early the next day, I went to the mosque but I found that he had arrived even earlier than I. He was praying, so I waited until he had finished, then I approached him from in front, greeted him and said, ‘By Allah (S.W.T.) I love you.’ He said, ‘For the sake of Allah (S.W.T.)?’ I said, ‘For the sake of Allah (S.W.T.).’ He repeated his question, ‘For the sake of Allah (S.W.T.)?’ and I said, ‘For the sake of Allah (S.W.T.).’ So he took hold of my collar and pulled me towards him and said, ‘I have good news for you. I heard the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) say: “Allah (S.W.T.) Almighty says: ‘My love is granted to those who love one another for My sake, who visit one another for My sake, and who spend on one another for My sake.’”
__________
[1] Compiled by al-Tirmidhi, who said it is a hasan sahih hadith.
[2] Compiled by Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad.
[3] Compiled by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi, who said it is a sahih hadith.
[4] Compiled by Abu Dawud, with a sahih isnad


Submitted by AMIR ASLAM AHMED KHANat http://www.siasat.com/