رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْنِى مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ 40
Translations
My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.
Transliteration
Rabbi-j'alni muqeema-s-salati wa min dhurriyyati rabbana wa taqabbal du'a'i
Tafsir (Explanation)
This is the supplication of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), wherein he asks Allah to make him and his offspring steadfast in establishing the prayer (Salah). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Ibrahim's request extends beyond himself to his descendants, demonstrating his concern for the spiritual welfare of his progeny and reflecting the virtue of supplication for one's family. Al-Qurtubi notes that this ayah emphasizes the importance of consistency in prayer and the role of du'a (supplication) as a means of seeking divine assistance and acceptance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ibrahim (a Meccan surah) where Prophet Ibrahim is depicted making supplications after establishing the Kaaba with his son Ismail. The context reflects Ibrahim's deep concern for the spiritual guidance of his descendants and his reliance upon Allah for success in fulfilling his prophetic mission. This supplication represents a moment of intimate connection between Ibrahim and his Lord after completing a monumental act of obedience.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best supplication is one made on behalf of others' - a principle exemplified in Ibrahim's du'a for himself and his offspring. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, there are numerous hadiths emphasizing the virtue of establishing Salah and teaching it to one's family, which directly relates to Ibrahim's request.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that we should not only seek Allah's guidance for ourselves but also earnestly supplicate for the spiritual steadfastness of our children and descendants, recognizing that the greatest gift we can leave them is a connection to Allah through prayer. It reminds us that true success lies in consistency with our obligations to Allah and in humbly submitting our hopes and concerns to Him through sincere supplication.