The Duas of Prophet Ibrahim. What should I Pray for?

A Model for Supplication

Prophet Ibrahim (as) is not only a model of faith and action but also a model of supplication. His prayers, recorded in the Qur’an, are not merely requests for worldly needs but profound dialogues with his Creator. They reveal the heart of a man who understood that dua is not a last resort but a fundamental act of worship and a means of aligning his will with the divine plan. By examining his supplications, we can learn how to frame our own requests, connecting the material with the spiritual and seeking what is most beneficial in this life and the next.

Worldly Blessings with a Godly Aspect

One of the hallmarks of Ibrahim’s (as) prayers is that they couple worldly blessings with a godly aspect. In Surah as-Saffat, he prays for a righteous child. He does not simply ask for a son; he asks for one who will be  min as-salihin —of the righteous (Q 37:100). His request was not just for progeny but for a progeny that would be good, upright, and continue his mission. Allah (swt) answered this prayer by granting him Ismail and Ishaq, both of whom became prophets and leaders of righteousness. Similarly, when he left his wife Hajer and son Ismail in the barren valley of Makkah, his famous supplication was for their sustenance and, more importantly, their spirituality. He prayed, “Our Lord, I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley…in order, that they may perform the prayer (as-salat), so fill some hearts among people with love towards them and provide them with fruits” (Q 14:37). The ultimate goal was not just food and water, but the ability to establish prayer. He sought the material as a means to achieve the spiritual.

Prayers for Existential Guidance

Another category of his prayers is for existential guidance to good actions. He prayed, “My Lord, make me and my descendants establishers of prayer (muqim as-salat). Our Lord, and accept our supplications” (Q 14:40). This is a prayer for steadfastness, for the strength to consistently perform an action that is foundational to the faith. It is a prayer for spiritual discipline. The result of this prayer was that Allah (swt) made him and his descendants Imams who would guide others and to whom He revealed (an expression for existential guidance to) the doing of good, the establishment of prayer, and the giving of charity (Q 21:73).

Seeking True Guidance and a Pure Heart

Perhaps his most foundational prayer was for true guidance. In the story of his quest for the truth, he states, “If my Lord does not guide me, I will certainly be among the misguided people” (Q 6:77). This simple yet profound supplication was answered immediately. Allah (swt) showed him the  malakut, the spiritual, underlying reality of the heavens and the earth (Q 6:75). This granted him the certainty of faith that allowed him to stand against the false beliefs and practice of his entire society at the time.

Ibrahim (as) also prayed for the ultimate state of a pure and peaceful heart. In Surah ash-Shu’ara, he prays not to be disgraced on the Day of Judgment. The Qur’an later reveals that the answer to this prayer is a “sound heart” (qalb salim), a heart free from polytheism, hypocrisy, and spiritual diseases (Q 37:83-84). Furthermore, his dialogue with his people reveals the peace that comes from this submission. When they threatened him for his belief, he was unshaken, asking, “How should I fear what you associate with Allah (swt), while you do not fear that you have associated with Allah (swt) that for which He has not sent down any authority?” (Q 6:81). This inner peace is the fruit of true submission (islam). The ultimate test of this submission was the command to sacrifice his son. The Qur’an describes the moment they both submitted, “when they had both submitted [to Allah (swt)’s will]” (Q 37:103), achieving a state of absolute peace with the divine decree.

Praying for a Lasting Legacy

Finally, Ibrahim (as) was concerned with his legacy. He prayed for a “legacy of truth among the later generations” (Q 26:84). This was a prayer for a lasting, honorable legacy, that his name would be mentioned with goodness. Allah (swt) answered by making him a figure revered by all three Abrahamic faiths. He also prayed for his specific progeny, asking for a messenger to be sent from among them to recite the verses, teach the Book and wisdom, and purify them (Q 2:129). This prayer was answered centuries later with the mission of Prophet Muhammad (saw), as confirmed in Surah al-Jumu’ah (62:2-3). The duas of Ibrahim (as) teach us that our supplications can be powerful, long-reaching, and shape the course of history. They demonstrate that Allah (swt) will answer sincere duas, and give us even more than what we asked for. We learn that we should prioritise spiritual needs over material ones, but still ask for the good things in this world. 

By Shiekh Ali Alsamail