رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ
Rabbij alni muqeemas salati wa min zurriyati, Rabbana wa taqabbal du’a
My Lord! Make me and those believers of my descendants keep up prayer. Our Lord! Accept my prayers.
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ
Rabbanagh fir lee waliwalidayya wa lil mumineena Yawma yaqoomul hisaab
Our Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day when the judgment will come to pass.
[Ibrahim, 14:40–41]
This dua can be found in Surah Ibrahim, verses 40–41, and was first known to be recited by Prophet Ibrahim PBUH for Allah’s blessings and forgiveness for himself and on behalf of his parents, and the ummah.
Initially, this dua was about to be recited upon the promise he made with his father to pray for his forgiveness to Allah. However, due to his father’s sin of being a musyrik, an enemy to Allah and His teachings, he would then stop and absolve himself from praying for his father’s forgiveness. Alongside the dua, it is known that the Prophet also asked for Allah’s blessings on several things:
Although the Prophet himself refrained from reciting this dua for his father’s forgiveness, by understanding the intention and how the Prophet has recited the dua, we can also try reciting these verses to ask for Allah’s permission and blessings. Which, InshAllah, will make us and our offspring nothing less than disciplined Muslims who will remember the importance of establishing prayers.
This dua is regarded as a powerful supplication as it is quoted from a verse in the Holy Quran, the words of Allah SWT. It is wise for us to try to recite this dua as often as possible, as it is a beautiful dua that puts other Muslims (and family's) forgiveness, wellbeing, and safety alongside ourselves. Hopefully, reciting this dua will remind us of the importance of carrying out prayers, and grant Allah's forgiveness for our sins as human beings. Amin.
