Introduction
An-Nu’maan ibn Bashir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Supplication is worship.” Then he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) recited (interpretation of the meanings): “And your Lord said: ‘Call upon Me, I will answer you. Verily, those who scorn My Worship, they will surely enter Hell in humiliation.'” [Surat Ghaafir (40:60)] [At-Tirmidhi no. 3247 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Saheeh]
Du’aa is one of the sublime acts of worship that the Shar’ (Islamic Law) urges and encourages us to do.
In this Hadeeth, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said that ‘Du’aa is the worship’, i.e. when the slave invokes Allaah (Ta’ala) his Lord, he will be worshipping Allaah while confessing to His Perfect Lordship and His Right to be worshipped. The slave will be approaching Allaah alone and turning away from other than Him, calling Allaah by His Names and Attributes, seeking His help to fulfill his needs in this world and the Hereafter. Then the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) recited the following verse from Surat Ghaafir (40:60):
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدۡعُونِيٓ أَسۡتَجِبۡ لَكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدۡخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ
“And your Lord said: ‘Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!’”
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “By His Kindness towards His slaves and the immense blessings He bestows upon them, Allaah called them to that which is in their best interest in both spiritual and worldly terms. He (Ta’ala) instructed them to call upon Him, meaning both the supplication of worship (Du’aa al-‘Ebadah) and the supplication of asking for what they need (Du’aa al-Mas’alah).
He promised to respond to them and warned them against being too arrogant to do that. Verily, those who are too arrogant to worship Allaah will enter Hell in humiliation i.e. they will be humiliated and despised, suffering a combination of punishment and humiliation as a requital (retribution) for their arrogance.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]
There are no supplications better than the ones the Prophets and Messengers supplicated with. Therefore, it is very important to learn and contemplate the supplications of the Prophets and Messengers that Allaah (Ta’ala) mentions in the Noble Qur’an.
In Surat Al-An’aam (6:90), Allaah (Ta’ala) mentioned some of their (Prophets and Messengers) blessed news, sublime deeds and virtuous characters. He (Ta’ala) says:
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُۖ فَبِهُدَىٰهُمُ ٱقۡتَدِهۡ
“They are those whom Allaah had guided. So follow their guidance.”
Allaah commanded the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to follow their ways, adhere to their path and direct his Ummah (followers) to do the same.
He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) complied with this command and followed the guidance of the Messengers who came before him. He acquired all perfect attributes and virtues, by means of which he surpassed all people and was the leader of the Messengers, foremost among the pious.
The Prophets and Messengers are the best and chosen ones among the people. In their stories and news are many lessons and admonitions for the believers of all religious statuses to follow: in the stance of Tawheed, establishing the servitude, in patience, steadfastness on the religion, in truthfulness and sincerity to Allaah in all their movements. Truly in their stories, is a consolation for the distressed ones, a provision for the pious and a joy for the worshippers and believers.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Yusuf (12:111):
لَقَدۡ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمۡ عِبۡرَةٞ لِّأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثٗا يُفۡتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِن تَصۡدِيقَ ٱلَّذِي بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ وَتَفۡصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ وَهُدٗى وَرَحۡمَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ
“Indeed, in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur’an) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of Allaah’s existing Books [the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel) and other Scriptures of Allaah] and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a mercy for the people who believe.”
Allaah (Ta’ala) chose them and made them superior and leaders for the creation. Allaah made them examples to be followed in good. By them, Allaah is known; by them, Allaah is unified in worship (singled out with worship); by them, the Right Path became known and by following their footsteps, the people of Paradise reached and attained every delight and won every good and happiness in this world and the Hereafter.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Anbiyaa’ (21:73):
وَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ أَئِمَّةٗ يَهۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِمۡ فِعۡلَ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٰتِ وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةِۖ وَكَانُواْ لَنَا عَٰبِدِينَ
“And We made them leaders, guiding (mankind) by Our Command, and We inspired in them, the doing of good deeds, performing Salaat (Iqamaat-as-Salaat), and the giving of Zakaat, and of Us (Alone) they were worshippers.”
Allaah (Ta’ala) mentions in various Ayaat in the noble Qur’an, examples of the supplications of the Prophets and their requests of Allaah, Rabbil-Alameen, the Lord of the whole world, and their great hope in His Mercy, desire in His Grace, and their resorting to Him in all their states.
Whoever follows their guidance will be helped as Allaah helped them and will be rescued as Allaah rescued them.
Here are some examples of their invocations. We should hope to walk on their path and follow their guidance.
1- Supplication of Adam (‘Alayhis-salaam):
One of the greatest supplications that is mentioned in the Qur’an is the one in which Adam (‘Alayhis-salaam) invoked Allaah. It comprises Adam’s repentance and his asking Allaah for forgiveness and mercy.
In Surat Al-A’raaf (7:23):
قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ
“They said: ‘Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.’”
Adam (‘Alayhis-salaam) said (what means): ‘We have committed the sin that You (O Allaah) told us not to, and we have harmed ourselves by committing sin. We have done that which will incur loss unless You forgive us by erasing the sin and cancelling the punishment, have mercy on us by accepting our repentance and pardon us for such errors.’
So Allaah forgave them for that:
“…Adam disobeyed his Lord, and fell into error. Then his Lord brought him close, accepted his repentance, and guided him.” [Surat Ta-Ha (20:121-122)]
Whoever follows the example of Adam when he commits a sin, i.e. by admitting his sin and asking for forgiveness, regretting it and giving it up, his Lord will draw him near and guide him.
But whoever follows the example of Iblees by carrying on when he commits a sin, continuing to increase in it; he will only go further away from Allaah.
2- Supplication of Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam)
Allaah (Ta’ala) mentioned many supplications of Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam) in different states.
- From among his supplications, is what Allaah (Ta’ala) mentions in Surat Al-Mu’minun (23:26):
قال رب انصرني بما كذبون
“Nuh [Noah (‘Alayhis-salaam)] said: ‘O my Lord! Help me because they deny me.’”
When Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam) realized that his call was only increasing them in aversion, he asked his Lord for help against them out of anger for the sake of Allaah, as they neglected His Command and rejected His Messenger.
Allaah answered him, telling him of a means to save himself before the punishment came, which was the construction of the ark.
b) Allaah (Ta’ala) praised Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam) for being a grateful slave, as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Israa’ (17:3):
إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَبۡدٗا شَكُورٗا
“…Verily, he was a grateful slave.”
In this verse is an encouragement for the offspring of Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam) to follow his example; be grateful and remember Allaah’s favors on them when He (Ta’ala) made them survive the flood that drowned the whole earth.
From the gratefulness of Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam) is what is mentioned in Surat Al-Mu’minun (23: 28-29):
فَإِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتَ أَنتَ وَمَن مَّعَكَ عَلَى ٱلۡفُلۡكِ فَقُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي نَجَّىٰنَا مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
“And when you have embarked on the ship, you and whoever is with you, then say: ‘All the praises and thanks be to Allaah, Who has saved us from the people who are Dhalimun (i.e. oppressors, wrong-doers, polytheists, those who join others in worship with Allaah, etc.).’”
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَنزِلۡنِي مُنزَلٗا مُّبَارَكٗا وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمُنزِلِينَ
“And say: ‘My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing place, for You are the Best of those who bring to land.’”
Allaah taught Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam) and those who were with him to say these words to thank and praise Him for saving them from the evil doers; to keep them from following their path and sharing their punishment, and to ask Allaah to make it easy for them to land at a blessed place.
Allaah (Ta’ala) responded to his supplication as He tells us in Surat Hud (11:48):
قِيلَ يَٰنُوحُ ٱهۡبِطۡ بِسَلَٰمٖ مِّنَّا وَبَرَكَٰتٍ عَلَيۡكَ وَعَلَىٰٓ أُمَمٖ مِّمَّن مَّعَكَۚ وَأُمَمٞ سَنُمَتِّعُهُمۡ ثُمَّ يَمَسُّهُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ
“It was said: ‘O Nuh (Noah)! Come down (from the ship) with peace from Us and blessings on you and on the people who are with you.’”
There are lessons we can learn from this supplication of Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam). Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said in his book ‘Tayseer al-Lateef al-Mannan’:
1- “It is incumbent upon the believer to seek the help of Allaah (Ta’ala) and mention His Name when embarking and descending, and in all of one’s movements and turnings.
2- To praise Allaah and remember Him profusely when mentioning His favors and bounties, especially after He rescues us from distresses and hardships, as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Hud (11:41):
وَقَالَ ٱرۡكَبُواْ فِيهَا بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ مَجۡرٜىٰهَا وَمُرۡسَىٰهَآۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَغَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ
“And he [Nuh (Noah)] said: ‘Embark therein, in the Name of Allaah will be its (moving) course and its (resting) anchorage.’”
and in Surat Al-Mu’minun (23:28):
فَإِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتَ أَنتَ وَمَن مَّعَكَ عَلَى ٱلۡفُلۡكِ فَقُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي نَجَّىٰنَا مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
“And when you have embarked on the ship, you and whoever is with you, then say: ‘All the praises and thanks be to Allaah, Who has saved us from the people who are Dhalimun (i.e. oppressors, wrong-doers, polytheists, those who join others in worship with Allaah, etc.).’”
3- Also, it is incumbent to invoke for the blessing at the time of settling at unusual places, such as others homes during travel and so forth, and the houses or places where one stays, as Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Mu’minun (23:29):
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَنزِلۡنِي مُنزَلٗا مُّبَارَكٗا وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمُنزِلِينَ
“And say: ‘My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing place, for You are the Best of those who bring to land.’”
That should all be accompanied with remembrance of Allaah, seeking strength from Allaah in movements and settlement, trusting Allaah and seeking the Barakah, which is the best matter that accompanies the slave in all his states, and which the slave cannot live without for the blink of an eye.” [Tayseer al-Lateef al-Mannan fee Khulasah Tafseer al-Qur’an page 111]
3- Supplication of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam)
a- In Surat Ash-Shu’ara (26:83-85), Allaah mentions His slave and Khaleel Ibraheem [Abraham (‘Alayhis-salaam)] after he called his people to the Tawheed of Allaah. He (‘Alayhis-salaam) was worshipping Allaah Alone without associates and clarifying the falsehood of the false gods which his people were calling unto besides Allaah. Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) described Allaah (Ta’ala) with majesty and sublime attributes. He (‘Alayhis-salaam) invoked Allaah and asked Him for the following:
رَبِّ هَبۡ لِي حُكۡمٗا وَأَلۡحِقۡنِي بِٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
وَٱجۡعَل لِّي لِسَانَ صِدۡقٖ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرِينَ
وَٱجۡعَلۡنِي مِن وَرَثَةِ جَنَّةِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
“My Lord! Bestow Hukman (religious knowledge, right judgment of the affairs and Prophethood) on me and join me with the righteous; and grant me an honorable mention in later generations; and make me one of the inheritors of the Paradise of Delight.”
Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) asked for abundant knowledge, by means of which he may know rulings; what is lawful and what is prohibited, and he may be able to judge between people.
He (‘Alayhis-salaam) also asked for joining him with the righteous, which refers to his fellow Prophets and Messengers (in their rank and status).
And he (‘Alayhis-salaam) asked Allaah to grant him an honorable remembrance among the later nations, i.e. that he may be truly praised until the end of time.
Allaah (Ta’ala) answered his prayer. He (Ta’ala) granted him knowledge and wisdom by virtue of which Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) became one of the best of the Messengers. And He (Ta’ala) joined him with his fellow Messengers and made him beloved, accepted, venerated, and praised among the followers of all religions, for all time.
Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) also asked Allaah to make him one of the people of Paradise, to whom Allaah gives as an inheritance. Allaah answered his prayer and raised him in status in the gardens of bliss. [Tayseer al-Kareem]
Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) also asked Allaah in the same context, the following request in Ayaat 86-88:
وَلَا تُخۡزِنِي يَوۡمَ يُبۡعَثُونَ
يَوۡمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٞ وَلَا بَنُون
إِلَّا مَنۡ أَتَى ٱللَّهَ بِقَلۡبٖ سَلِيمٖ
“And disgrace me not on the Day when (all the creatures) will be resurrected;
The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail,
Except him who brings to Allaah, a clean heart [clean from Shirk (polytheism) and Nifaq (hypocrisy)].”
i.e. (O Allaah) do not disgrace me on the Day when all creation is resurrected by asking me about some sins, punishing me or exposing me because of them. Rather, bless me on that Day, on which neither wealth nor sons will be of any avail, but only he who comes to Allaah with a pure heart (will be saved). For this is what will benefit him before You, and this is what will save him from punishment and make him deserve the great reward.
What is meant by a pure heart is that which is free of polytheism (Shirk), doubt, love of evil, and persistence in innovation and sin.
What is implied by being free of these things is that it possesses the opposite, namely, sincerity to Allaah Alone, knowledge, certainty of faith, love of good and an inclination towards good; this means that what he wants and loves is in accordance with what Allaah loves, and his whims and desires are in accordance with the teachings of Allaah’s Religion. [Tayseer al-Kareem]
b) Allaah (Ta’ala) mentioned that one of the Du’aa of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) is what is mentioned in Surat As-Saaffaat (37:100):
رَبِّ هَبۡ لِي مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
“My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous.”
Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) asked for obedient children in compensation for his people and relatives whom he had left. Allaah responded to his Du’aa and granted him Isma’eel (‘Alayhis-salaam), who was the first child for whom glad tidings were given to Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam). [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Imaam At-Tabari said: “Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) asked his Lord to grant him a righteous offspring who would obey Him and not be rebellious, and who would bring reform in the land and not make mischief therein.” [Tafseer at-Tabari]
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) asked Allaah to grant him a righteous son, by means of whom Allaah would benefit him during his lifetime and after his death.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]
c) From among the comprehensive supplications in the Qur’an, is what Prophet Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) and his son Isma’eel (‘Alayhis-salaam) invoked with in Surat Al-Baqarah (2:127-128):
وَإِذۡ يَرۡفَعُ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمُ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ وَإِسۡمَٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلۡ مِنَّآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
رَبَّنَا وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا مُسۡلِمَيۡنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَآ أُمَّةٗ مُّسۡلِمَةٗ لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبۡ عَلَيۡنَآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
“And (remember) when Ibraheem (Abraham) and (his son) Isma’eel (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka’bah at Makkah), (saying), ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.’
‘Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring, a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and ‘Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.’”
That is, remember Ibraheem and Isma’eel (‘Alayhimas-salaam), when they were building the walls of the House from the foundation upwards, and how they persisted in this great task with an attitude of both fear and hope. Whilst they were striving to complete this task, they prayed to Allaah:
- To accept their deeds, so that it might be a blessing for all.
- They prayed for themselves, and for their offspring to be Muslim. This signifies humility in the heart and submission to Allaah, which is reflected in outward behavior. [This is a request for firmness in obedience and steadiness on Islam.]
- [Show us, teach us our rituals (of pilgrimage)], demonstrate them before us so that we may see them, because seeing is more effective for the purpose of learning. It may be that what is meant by rituals (Manasik) is all the actions of Hajj, as indicated by the context and story, or it may be that the meaning is more general than that, and refers to all of Islam and all acts of worship; thus, what they meant by their supplication was to be guided and enabled to acquire beneficial knowledge and to do righteous deeds.
- As it is the case that human beings, no matter how hard they try, will always fall short and need to repent, they (Ibraheem and Isma’eel (‘Alayhimas-salaam) said: “and accept our repentance, for You are the Accepter of repentance, the Most Merciful.”
d) It is incumbent upon every person who makes Du’aa to invoke for himself, his parents and his offspring with the following Du’aa of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) in Surat Ibraheem (14:40-41):
رَبِّ ٱجۡعَلۡنِي مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ
“O my Lord! Make me one who performs As-Salaat (Iqamaat-as-Salaat), (i.e. preserving its obligations and limits),
وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِيۚ
and (also) from my offspring,”
make them among those who establish the prayer, as well,
رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلۡ دُعَآءِ
“Our Lord! And accept my invocation.”
i.e. all of my invocation which I invoked You with herein,
رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لِي وَلِوَٰلِدَيَّ
“Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents,”
Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) said this before he declared himself innocent from his father, after he became sure that he was an enemy of Allaah,
وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَوۡمَ يَقُومُ ٱلۡحِسَابُ
“and (all) the believers 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.
4- Supplication of Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam)
The story of Musa [Moses (‘Alayhis-salaam)] in the Qur’an consists of various situations in which Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) invoked Allaah with sensitive supplications indicating his complete humility, submission and servitude to Allaah, the Lord of the whole world. Allaah mentions one of Musa’s supplications that occurred when Allaah (Ta’ala) sent him to invite Fir’awn (Pharaoh) and his people to Islam. Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) asked Allaah to make it easy for him to convey the message and explain the religion, as Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Ta-Ha (20:25-35):
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱشۡرَحۡ لِي صَدۡرِي
وَيَسِّرۡ لِيٓ أَمۡرِي
وَٱحۡلُلۡ عُقۡدَةٗ مِّن لِّسَانِي
يَفۡقَهُواْ قَوۡلِي
وَٱجۡعَل لِّي وَزِيرٗا مِّنۡ أَهۡلِي
هَٰرُونَ أَخِي
ٱشۡدُدۡ بِهِۦٓ أَزۡرِي
وَأَشۡرِكۡهُ فِيٓ أَمۡرِي
كَيۡ نُسَبِّحَكَ كَثِيرٗا
وَنَذۡكُرَكَ كَثِيرًا
إِنَّكَ كُنتَ بِنَا بَصِيرٗا
“Musa [Moses (‘Alayhis-salaam)] said: ‘O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness).’”
“And ease my task for me; and make loose the knot (the defect) from my tongue, (i.e. remove the incorrectness from my speech) [That occurred as a result of a brand of fire which Musa (Moses) put in his mouth when he was an infant[1]. That they understand my speech, and appoint for me a helper from my family, Harun (Aaron), my brother. Increase my strength with him and let him share my task (of conveying Allaah’s Message and Prophethood), that we may glorify You much, and remember You much. Verily! You are of us, Ever a Well-Seer.”
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “Musa requested his Lord to expand his chest for his mission. For verily, He [Allaah (Ta’ala)] was commanding him with a great task and a weighty affair. He was sending him to the mightiest king on the face of the earth at that time. Fir’awn was the most arrogant and severe of all people in his disbelief, and he had the largest army and the most powerful kingdom. He was the most tyrannical and obstinate of rulers. His case was such that he claimed not to know Allaah at all, and that he knew of no god for his subjects other than himself.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) asked Allaah to open his chest for him, which is a very important matter when making Da’wah. It helps one to be patient and bear the hardship and perform Da’wah with high resolution and energy.
Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) also asked Allaah to ease his task for him; this is because “he cannot perform this task if Allaah doesn’t help, aid and support him.” [Ibn Katheer]
Then one of the most important means of Da’wah to Allaah is the ability of the Da’iee (the preacher) in clarifying and making others understand by his speech; therefore, Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) asked Allaah to loosen the knot from his tongue so that they understand his speech, and to make him eloquent in speech.
Ibn Katheer (Rahimahullaah) said: “However, he did not ask Allaah to remove this affliction all together. Rather, he asked for removal of his stammering so the people would understand what he intended in his speech. He was only asking for what was necessary to deliver his message. If he had asked for the removal of his affliction in its entirety, it would have been cured for him. However, the Prophets do not ask for any more than what is required.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Ibn Katheer (Rahimahullaah) said concerning Allaah’s Statement:
وَٱجۡعَل لِّي وَزِيرٗا مِّنۡ أَهۡلِي
هَٰرُونَ أَخِي
“And appoint for me a helper from my family,
Harun (Aaron), my brother;”
“This was also a request from Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) that did not pertain to himself. That was a request for the assistance of his brother.”
[Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
The reason behind the asking of this request by Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) is mentioned in Surat Al-Qasas (28:34). Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
وَأَخِي هَٰرُونُ هُوَ أَفۡصَحُ مِنِّي لِسَانٗا فَأَرۡسِلۡهُ مَعِيَ رِدۡءٗا يُصَدِّقُنِيٓۖ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ
“And my brother Harun (Aaron) is more eloquent in speech than me, so send him with me as a helper to confirm me. Verily! I fear that they will belie me.”
Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) asked for prophethood to be bestowed upon his brother so he could be an assistant to him in his Da’wah with the people to whom Allaah has sent. He asked for this helper to be from his family, by way of being kind; those who are more deserving of a person’s kindness are his relatives. Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) also mentioned another benefit of his request, saying:
كَيۡ نُسَبِّحَكَ كَثِيرٗا
وَنَذۡكُرَكَ كَثِيرًا
“That we may glorify You much,
And remember You much,” [Surat Ta-Ha 20:33-34]
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) understood that the aim of all acts of worship and the foundation of religion is to remember Allaah. So, Musa asked Allaah to make his brother join him, so that they could help one another and cooperate in righteousness and piety, and thus be able to remember Allaah a great deal by glorifying Him, proclaiming His Oneness and doing other acts of worship.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]
Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) ended his Du’aa with his statement (in Ayat 35):
إِنَّكَ كُنتَ بِنَا بَصِيرٗا
“Verily, You are all-Aware of our situation,”
i.e. You know our situation, our weakness, our helplessness and our need for You in all our affairs. You know us better than we know ourselves and You are more Merciful towards us, so bless us with what we have asked for and answer our prayer.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]
Allaah (Ta’ala) responded to the invocation of Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam) and fulfilled his hopes and strengthened him with his brother, Harun (‘Alayhis-salaam) and gave them the authority over Fir’awn and his people.
5- Supplication of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
a- One of the supplications that Allaah (Ta’ala) commanded the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) with is mentioned in Surat At-Tawbah (9:129):
فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُلۡ حَسۡبِيَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ
“But if they turn away, say [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)]: ‘Allaah is sufficient for me. La ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.’”
It is reported on the authority of Abu Ad-Dardaa’ (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever says (the following supplication) every day in the morning and in the evening seven times, Allaah will suffice him all what concerns him of the affairs of the Dunya (this world) and the Hereafter.” [Reported by Ibn As-Sunni in ‘Amal-Al-Yawm wal-Laylah’ Marfoo’ to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and reported Mawqoof by others. Usually the narrators of Al-Mawqoof are trustworthy, because these words cannot be said by opinion or Ijtihad; rather, they are quoted from the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)]
b- From what Allaah ordered the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to invoke with, is to ask Allaah to make his exit and entry truthful, as is mentioned in Surat Al-Israa’ (17:80):
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدۡخِلۡنِي مُدۡخَلَ صِدۡقٖ وَأَخۡرِجۡنِي مُخۡرَجَ صِدۡقٖ وَٱجۡعَل لِّي مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلۡطَٰنٗا نَّصِيرٗا
“And say [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)]: ‘My Lord! Let my entry (to the city of Al-Madinah) be good, and (likewise) my exit (from the city of Makkah) be good. And grant me from You, an authority to help me (or a firm sign or a proof).’”
“i.e. make my entrance and my exit all in obedience to You and pleasing to You, because that means sincerity and compliance with Allaah’s Command. And grant me from You, a supporting power, i.e. clear evidence and definite proof for all that I do or do not do.
This is the highest position that Allaah may cause a person to attain, that all his situations are good and are a means of drawing closer to his Lord, and that in all situations he may have clear evidence. This includes beneficial knowledge, righteous deeds, and knowledge of various issues and proofs.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]
Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said: “There is no one who exits from his home and enters the market or any other entry but that it will be either with truthfulness or with a lie. Everyone’s exit and entry will not be except these two: truth or a lie, and Allaah is the One Whose Help is sought.” [Madarij as-Salikeen]
c- Also, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was ordered to invoke Allaah with the following words in Surat al-Kahf (18:24):
وَقُلۡ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَهۡدِيَنِ رَبِّي لِأَقۡرَبَ مِنۡ هَٰذَا رَشَدٗا
“It may be that my Lord guides me unto a nearer way of truth than this.”
“He (Allaah) instructed the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to call upon Allaah and put his hopes in Him and trust Him to guide him to that which is closer to right guidance. It’s no wonder that if a person is like this and he does his utmost and tries hard to seek guidance and the right path; he deserves to be helped and guided, and to receive divine aid that will help him to do the right thing in all his affairs.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]
Sources:
Da’wat Al-Anbiyaa’ by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaq al-Badr
Tafseer Ibn Katheer
Tayseer al-Kareem by Shaikh As-Sa’dee
Dorar.com
Tafseer At-Tabari, Vol. 16, Page 159