Duas 21-40

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رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ.

Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.

Rabbana dhalamna anfusana wa illam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lanakunanna minalkhasirin.

These are the words that Allah mentions He taught Prophet Adam so that He might ask for forgiveness and repent. It is worth noting that while Prophet Adam asked Allah’s forgiveness, Satan asked for nothing more than to be reprieved until Judgment Day. Each of them got what they asked for. -At-Tabari.

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رَبَّنَا لَا تَجۡعَلۡنَا مَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ.

Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people.

Rabbana la tajalna maal qawmizzalimin.

These are words that will be spoken by the People of the A’raaf when they turn to look at the people of Hellfire; they ask Allah to protect them against meeting the same fate.

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رَبَّنَا ٱفۡتَحۡ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَ قَوۡمِنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡفَٰتِحِينَ.

Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision.

Rabbana ftah baynana wabayna qawmina bilhaqqi waanta khayru lfatihin

After having advised his people and shown them right from wrong, Prophet Shu’aib saw that they would not accept the truth and that, in fact, they only became more hostile and stubborn. Hence, he invoked Allah to judge between those who upheld the truth from those who rejected it by descending His punishment upon the evildoers.

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رَبَّنَآ أَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرٗا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسۡلِمِينَ.

Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You].

Rabbana afrigh alayna ṣabran watawaffana muslimin

These words were spoken by Pharaoh’s magicians once they had seen and accepted the truth of Prophet Musa’s miracles. Rather than simply asking for patience, they asked Allah to pour patience down upon them abundantly, as this was an enormously difficult moment and they knew that Pharaoh would kill them. Commentators have noted that the magicians were unbelieving magicians at the beginning of that day and martyrs at the end of it. -At-Tabari.

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رَبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ لِي وَلِأَخِي وَأَدۡخِلۡنَا فِي رَحۡمَتِكَۖ وَأَنتَ أَرۡحَمُ ٱلرَّـٰحِمِينَ.

My Lord, forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your mercy, for You are the most merciful of the merciful.

Rabbi ghfir li waliakhi waadkhilna fi rahmatika waanta arhamu rrahimin

Prophet Musa asks Allah to admit him and his brother, Harun, into His mercy. This is different than simply asking Allah to have mercy upon them. To admit them into his mercy is to allow His mercy to encompass them from all sides so that it protects them completely. -Tafseer As-Sa’di.

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أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَاۖ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡغَٰفِرِينَ.

You are our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us; and You are the best of forgivers.

Anta Walliyyuna faghfir lana warhamna wa Anta khayrulghafirin.

Prophet Musa starts this supplication by appealing to Allah and referring to Him as their (i.e. he and the Children of Israel’s) Protecting Guardian. Such an appeal is appropriate before asking for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. It is also a means by which Prophet Musa reaffirms their sincerity and their resolve to worship no one but Allah as an apology after the Children of Israel had taken the cow for worship. -Ibn ‘Ashoor.

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رَبَّنَا لَا تَجۡعَلۡنَا فِتۡنَةٗ لِّلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ. وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحۡمَتِكَ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ.

Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people. And save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people.

Rabbana la tajalna fitnatallilqawmizzalimin. Wa najjina birahmatika minalqawmilkafirin.

One of the ways by which Allah misleads those who reject His signs and deny His right to be worshipped alone is to grant them victory over unrighteous Believers. With these victories, the disbelievers are misled into believing that the truth is with them and that the Believers follow falsehood, for why would their God allow them to be defeated? The Believers then ask Allah to save them from the unbelieving people by His grace and mercy. -Tafseer As-Sa’di and others.

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بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ مَجۡرٜىٰهَا وَمُرۡسَىٰهَآۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَغَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ.

In the name of Allah is its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.

Bismi llahi majraha wamursaha inna rabbi laghafurun rahim

Prophet Nuh prays that the ark runs its course and anchors in the Name of Allah so that Allah protects those aboard by protecting the ark at all times. Commentators point out that it was appropriate for Prophet Nuh to choose the attributes All-Forgiving and Especially Merciful at a time when everyone except those saved on the ark would perish. Hence, this is an affirmation that it is mankind who stubbornly chooses evil, misguidance, and to reject faith, and that Allah is All-Forgiving and Merciful to those who accept the Truth that is made plain to them. -Ibn Katheer and others.

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رَبِّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۖ وَإِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِي وَتَرْحَمْنِي أَكُنْ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ.

My Lord, I seek refuge in You from asking that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have mercy upon me, I will be among the losers.

Rabbi inni audhu bika an as’alaka ma laysa li bihi ilm, wa illa taghfir li wa tarhamni akumminalkhasirin.

This supplication made by Prophet Nuh is striking in the way it reveals his humility and fear of Allah. After almost a thousand years of calling people to Allah, Prophet Nuh takes no reassurance in his efforts and still fears that Allah will punish him for making a request without knowledge. Having thought that his son, along with the rest of his family, would be saved, Prophet Nuh appealed to Allah to save his son. But Allah reprimanded him for this, for He had previously told Prophet Nuh not to question Him about the wrongdoers who would all be drowned. In complete compliance with Allah’s command, Prophet Nuh immediately desisted and asked Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. -Tafseer As-Sa’di and others.

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(اَللّٰهُمَّ يَا) فَاطِرَ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنْتَ وَلِـيِّيْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ تَوَفَّنِيْ مُسْلِمًا وَّأَلْحِقْنِيْ بِالصَّالِحِيْنَ.

Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.

(Allahumma ya) Fatirassamawati walarḍi Anta waliyyi fiddunya walakhirah, tawaffani Muslimawwa alhiqni biṣṣalihin.

Prophet Yusuf asks Allah to make him steadfast upon Islam so that he dies a Muslim, just as he was blessed with Islam throughout his entire life. This is an enormous blessing and one that only Allah can grant, for He is our protector in this life and the Hereafter. -Tafseer As-Sa’di and others.

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رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْ هَٰذَا ٱلْبَلَدَ ءَامِنًا وَٱجْنُبْنِى وَبَنِىَّ أَن نَّعْبُدَ ٱلْأَصْنَامَ.

My Lord, make this city [Makkah] secure and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.

Rabbi jal hadha lbalada aminan wajnubni wabaniyya an nabuda laṣnam

This supplication made by Prophet Ibraheem was answered by Allah. Allah has protected Makkah throughout the ages against invading enemies, such as the Companions of the Elephant and others, and He will continue to protect it against the Dajjal (false messiah) and other invading armies as is stated in the Sunnah. Prophet Ibraheem also asks Allah to protect him and his children from worshipping idols. From this we learn that he never took confidence in his own strength of faith, in spite of being one of Allah’s most glorious prophets and a staunch upholder of Tawheed. His reliance on Allah was complete. -Tafseer As-Sa’di and others.

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رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِى وَمَا نُعْلِنُ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ.

Our Lord, indeed You know what we conceal and what we declare, and nothing is hidden from Allah on the earth or in the heaven.

Rabbana innaka talamu ma nukhfi wama nulinu wama yakhfa ala llahi min shayin fi larḍi wala fi ssamai

Prophet Ibraheem asks Allah to handle all his affairs for him, for Allah knows all that we conceal and all we reveal, and He knows all that lies in the heavens and on the earth. Allah’s complete knowledge and complete power over all things make Him the one and only true God we should seek to handle our affairs and bring us what is best. -Tafseer As-Sa’di.

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رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ.

My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.

Rabbijalni muqimaṣṣalati wa min dhurriyyati Rabbana wa taqabbal dua’.

Prayers are the most important act of worship in Islam, and to establish prayers means to make sure that all the pillars, mandatories, and other aspects of prayer are practiced properly and with humility. Such was the importance of prayer long before Prophet Muhammad Sallah Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam was sent to us as a prophet.

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رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ.

Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.

Rabbanaghfir li wa liwalidayya wa lilmu’minina yawma yaqumulhisab.

This is a very beautiful supplication for forgiveness that includes oneself, one’s parents, and every Believer who will ever live. It also shows Prophet Ibraheem’s care for the Believers and his earnest desire for all Believers to be forgiven.

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رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا.

My Lord, have mercy upon them [my parents] as they brought me up [when I was] small.

Rabbirhamhuma kama rabbayani ṣaghira.

This supplication suggests that the more parents do to raise their children, teach them manners, and give them a sound religious upbringing, the more those children become indebted to their parents and should, therefore, supplicate for them as much as possible. In fact, this suggests that anyone who plays a role in someone’s upbringing, nurturing, and mentoring, such as teachers, other members of the family or neighbors, also deserves special prayers and supplications.

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رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِى مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِى مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَٱجْعَل لِّى مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَٰنًا نَّصِيرًا.

My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.

Rabbi adkhilni mudkhala ṣidqin waakhrijni mukhraja ṣidqin wajal li min ladunka sultanan naṣira

While many scholars state that the context of this supplication was the Prophet Muhammad’s, Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, migration from Makkah to Madeenah, it can also be used in other situations. Indeed, it is a supplication whereby a Muslim asks Allah to grant him or her sincerity in everything they do and in every aspect of their lives. Whatever we seek to undertake and whatever we seek to leave should all be done for the sake of Allah, and so this is a supplication that brings great benefit in almost any situation, by the grace of Allah. It is also a means of asking Allah for strength in carrying out one’s affairs. -At-Tabari and others.

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رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا.

Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair, right guidance.

Rabbana atina milladunka rahmatan wa hayyi’ lana min amrina rashada.

These beautiful words were spoken by the People of the Cave as they sought Allah’s aid in escaping harm and against being forced back into unbelief, just as they asked Allah to grant them the means by which they might attain guidance and wellbeing in this life and the next. Hence, Allah answered their prayers, and we ask Allah to answer our prayers whenever we utter the words they spoke. -Tafseer As-Sa’di.

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رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي. وَيَسِّرْ لِىٓ أَمْرِى. وَٱحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِى. يَفْقَهُوا۟ قَوْلِى.

My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance]. And ease for me my task. And untie the knot from my tongue. That they may understand my speech.

Rabbishshrah li ṣadri. Wa yassir li amri. wahlul uqdatan min lisani. yafqahu qawli

This is a particularly helpful supplication for anyone seeking to advise others or help them see right from wrong. A person who lacks patience and forbearance when dealing with others is not someone who is fit for advising others or for helping them to learn. Likewise, to be able to articulate one’s thoughts is also a necessary quality for the same objective. -Tafseer As-Sa’di and others.

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 رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَن يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَآ أَوْ أَن يَطْغَىٰ.

Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress.

Rabbana innana nakhafu an yafruta alayna aw an yatgha

Spoken by Musa and Harun, this supplication is a means by which Allah protects His believing servants from the undeserved punishment and unjust transgression of tyrants and other evildoers. -Most tafseer state the same general meanings.

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رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا.

My Lord, increase me in knowledge.

Rabbi zidni ilma.

Scholars point out that knowledge is the only thing the Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, was commanded to ask for more of. This is indicative of the importance and honor of knowledge, and shows that it is the starting point for every act of worship. Indeed, the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam continued to seek knowledge from Allah until his death.