Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) asked Allah to send a Messenger to the people of Makkah, from among them. This dua is in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 129. Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains that Ibrahim first asked for security and provision for the people of the Sacred Area, and then completed his dua by asking Allah to send them a Messenger from his children.
You can read his earlier dua for Makkah here: Rabbi Ij’al Hadha Baladan Aminan (Quran 2:126).
رَبَّنَا وَٱبْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Roman English
Rabbanaa wab’ath feehim rasoolan minhum yatloo ‘alayhim aayaatika wa yu’allimuhumul-kitaaba wal-hikmata wa yuzakkeehim, innaka antal-‘Azeezul-Hakeem.
Hindi (हिन्दी)
रब्बना वब्अस् फ़ीहिम रसूलम् मिन्हुम यत्लू अलैहिम आयातिका व युअल्लिमुहुमुल-किताबा वल्-हिक्मता व युज़क्कीहिम, इन्नका अन्तल-अज़ीज़ुल-हकीम।
ऐ हमारे रब! इनमें इन्हीं में से एक रसूल भेज, जो इन्हें तेरी आयतें पढ़कर सुनाए, इन्हें किताब और हिकमत (समझदारी) सिखाए और इन्हें पाक करे। बेशक तू ही ज़बरदस्त, हिकमत वाला है।
Urdu (اردو)
اے ہمارے رب! ان میں انہی میں سے ایک رسول بھیج جو انہیں تیری آیتیں پڑھ کر سنائے، انہیں کتاب اور حکمت سکھائے اور انہیں پاک کرے۔ بے شک تو ہی غالب، حکمت والا ہے۔
Meaning in English
Our Lord, send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. Indeed, You are the Mighty, the Wise.
Quran Reference
- Surah: Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), verse 129
- Read online: Quran 2:129 on Quran.com
- Related verses: Quran 3:164 and Quran 62:2 mention the same duties of the Messenger that Ibrahim asked for.
Word-by-Word Meaning
- Rabbana – our Lord
- Wab’ath – and raise up, send
- Fihim – among them
- Rasulan minhum – a Messenger from among them
- Yatlu ‘alayhim ayatika – who recites Your verses to them
- Wa yu’allimuhumul-kitab wal-hikmah – and teaches them the Book and wisdom
- Wa yuzakkihim – and purifies them
- Innaka anta al-‘Azizul-Hakim – indeed You are the Mighty, the Wise
The Four Duties of the Messenger
Ibrahim asked for a Messenger who would do four things:
- Recite the verses of Allah to the people
- Teach the Book (the Quran)
- Teach wisdom
- Purify them (help them become clean in heart and in deeds)
Allah mentions these same duties of the Messenger in Surah Al-Baqarah and again in other places, such as Quran 3:164 and Quran 62:2.
Was This Dua Answered?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (2:129) explains that this accepted dua matched Allah’s plan to send Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as a Messenger. The Prophet ﷺ himself said that he is the answer to the dua of his father Ibrahim and the good news given by Isa, the son of Maryam (peace be upon them). Isa’s good news is mentioned in Quran 61:6.
So this dua was answered by Allah in the sending of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, a long time after Ibrahim made it.
Reference: Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 2:129
Benefits and Lessons
- Guidance is the greatest gift. Ibrahim asked for a Messenger who would teach and purify people, not for wealth.
- Think about people who come after you. Ibrahim made dua for people who were not yet born.
- A dua can be answered after a long time. This dua was answered in the best way, with the last Messenger.
- Be thankful for the Prophet ﷺ. Let us learn his teachings and follow them.
- Allah is Al-‘Aziz and Al-Hakim. He has the power to do everything and the wisdom to do it at the best time.
Common Questions
Does this dua mean Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? Yes. According to Tafsir Ibn Kathir, this accepted dua matched the sending of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Is there a fixed reward for reciting it? We have not found an authentic Hadith that gives this verse a fixed reward or a fixed time of recitation.
Are the Hindi and Urdu lines the Quran? No. The Arabic is the word of Allah. The other lines are only to help you read and understand. Please learn the correct pronunciation from a qualified teacher.
References
- Quran 2:129 – quran.com/2/129
- Quran 3:164 – quran.com/3/164
- Quran 61:6 – quran.com/61/6
- Quran 62:2 – quran.com/62/2
- Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 2:129 – alim.org
Conclusion
Ibrahim asked Allah for a Messenger who would recite, teach and purify. Allah answered by sending Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Let us thank Allah for this great blessing and follow the Messenger ﷺ.
May Allah make us among those who follow the Messenger ﷺ with love and sincerity. Ameen.
