The Supplication of Prophet Ibrahim (as): Prayers Mentioned in the Qur'an
In the Noble Qur'an, the prophet whose supplications are narrated most frequently is Prophet Ibrahim (ʿalayhi-s-salām). It is seen that on every occasion, he would sincerely supplicate to his Exalted Lord. These supplications include both his personal requests and his heartfelt pleas on behalf of his community.
In the Noble Qur'an, in addition to those mentioned in our previous articles, the following important supplications of his are also present:
“Our Lord! Surely You know what we conceal and what we reveal. And nothing is hidden from Allah, whether on earth or in heaven.” (Ibrāhīm, 38) This verse expresses belief in Allah's absolute knowledge.
“All praise is due to Allah, Who has granted me, in old age, Ismāʿīl and Isḥāq. Surely my Lord is the Hearer of prayer.” (Ibrāhīm, 39) This shows Prophet Ibrahim’s gratitude to Allah and his belief in the acceptance of supplications.
“My Lord, make me one who establishes prayer, and [also] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.” (Ibrāhīm, 40) His devotion to prayer and his wish to transmit it to future generations is significant.
“Our Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day the account is established.” (Ibrāhīm, 41) This reflects belief in the Hereafter and a plea for mercy.
The Supplications of Prophet Ibrahim in Sūrat ash-Shuʿarāʾ
In Sūrat ash-Shuʿarāʾ, we see the following moving supplications overflowing from the heart of Prophet Ibrahim:
“My Lord! Grant me wisdom and join me with the righteous. And grant me a reputation of honor among later generations. And make me among the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss. And forgive my father; indeed, he has been of those astray. And do not disgrace me on the Day they are [all] resurrected—the Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children, but only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.” (ash-Shuʿarāʾ, 83-89) In these supplications, he asks for wisdom, righteous deeds, to be remembered with a good name, and for salvation in the Hereafter.
What is meant by the one who comes with a sound heart (qalb-i salīm) is the person who spends his wealth in good ways, teaches his children the Truth and reality, keeps his heart safe from the corruption of wealth and children, from remaining ignorant about his religion, from base character traits, and from all kinds of evil attributes.
3 SIGNS OF THE SOUND HEART (QALB-I SALĪM)
According to Abū’l-Qāsim al-Ḥakīm, there are three important signs of the sound heart (qalb-i salīm):
- Not harming anyone, not hurting them.
- Not being hurt by anyone.
- Not expecting anything in return when doing good to someone.
For when a person does not harm anyone, he comes into the presence of Allah the Exalted with piety (warāʿ) and taqwa (God-consciousness); when he is not hurt by anyone, with loyalty (wafāʾ); and when he does not expect a reward for what he does, with ikhlas (sincerity).