14.41 Prophet Ibrahim's supplication for forgiveness for oneself, parents, and believers
This is one of those supplications mentioned in the Quran with which His noble prophets and messengers turned to the Almighty Lord. It clearly shows what the thoughts of these great people were, what they strove for, what they desired, and what they humbly and sincerely asked of the Almighty Creator.
One of His greatest messengers, Ibrahim (peace be upon him), called upon the Lord of the worlds with this supplication. His fear of God, worthy of a prophet of God, poured forth in this beautiful supplication, which, clothed in the garment of faith and sincerity, can adorn any heart and any lips.
“Our Lord!” Ibrahim (peace be upon him) pleaded. By courteously mentioning His Lordship, this prophet sought to draw near to the Almighty. O my Creator, Maker of all that exists, who sent me with the truth and endowed me with countless blessings. You who have helped me, protected me and supported me throughout my life, without whose help I could not have overcome all the difficulties and conveyed His call to people. You in whose favours each of His creations bathes, though so few among them are thankful and grateful.
“Forgive me,” he asked the Lord. Although Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was among the chosen ones of God, and thus among the best of people, in his plea for forgiveness he began with himself, for there was not a drop of self-assurance or arrogance in this man, and despite his very high rank he stood in awe before the Almighty as rarely does any of His creatures.
The wise prophet knew that man is by nature weak and inclined to sin, that he often follows his passions and readily indulges his weaknesses. And although he himself had done everything possible to serve the Lord in the most perfect way and to carry out in an exemplary manner the mission placed on him, he still considered it necessary to show modesty and to ask Allah humbly for forgiveness for possible shortcomings in this noble service.
“My parents”: Ibrahim (peace be upon him) also mentioned his parents, considering how great their right is. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) hoped that his father would believe and had promised to ask the Lord’s forgiveness for him, and this supplication was the fulfilment of that promise.
This is a wonderful lesson for each of us: we should turn to the Lord more often in supplication for our parents. If they are believers, we should ask forgiveness for them, and if not, guidance to the true path. In any case, supplication holds enormous benefit and good.
“And the believers on the Day when the judgment will come to pass.” The noble prophet did not stop at asking forgiveness for himself and those close to him, but asked the same for all believers. He asked the Almighty to grant the believers forgiveness of their sins on the day of just reckoning. This is the Day of Judgment, on which all people will stand before Him and answer for their deeds, and the Lord will treat none of them unjustly. This day will certainly come, and each of us will be in need of the forgiveness of the Almighty Lord.
This supplication, which once fell from the lips of a noble prophet of God, teaches us first of all how important it is to ask the Lord for forgiveness. It was important for him, a messenger of the Lord, and all the more so for us. For there will be no success for the one whom the Almighty does not bless with His forgiveness and mercy. His forgiveness opens the road to Paradise for each of us.
This supplication also reminds us that turning to Allah with good supplications for our brothers and sisters in faith is a beautiful, God-pleasing deed that brings undoubted benefit. For, as a hadith says, when one of us turns to the Lord in supplication for another believer, an angel says: “Amen! And may the same be for you!” And our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: “Whoever asks forgiveness for the believing men and women, Allah will record for him one good deed for each believing man and woman” [Sahih al-Jami].
This beautiful supplication deserves to be addressed to the Lord as often as possible, for it is so important for each of us to attain the forgiveness of the Almighty Lord and to come on the Day of Judgment with a store of good deeds pleasing to the Almighty, so as to earn His pleasure and enter His Paradise.