Dua 1 Right after Allah (subhanahu wa taala) gives Ibrahim (alayhis salaam) the

glad tidings that he is a friend of Allah (subhanahu wa taala), the first thing that
Ibrahim asks is, What about the future generations after me? This is the mindset
of a genius. Allah (subhanahu wa taala) said, Nay, My guarantee does not
extend to wrongdoers.
Dua 2 Ibrahim (alayhis salaam) does not give up and makes a dua that Oh
Allah, make this city peaceful, and provide its children from all types of provision.
In English literature, this would be known as peace and prosperity, and in political
science, one learns that the first thing needed for a functioning society is law and
order, which is essentially peace. But even in a peaceful society, jobs are also
needed, so a society actually needs both peace and prosperity. Ibrahim (alayhis
salaam) then adds a disclaimer, Only provide for the children of mine who
believe in Allah and the Last Day. Allah (subhanahu wa taala) then says, I will
also provide some for those who do not believe, and then will drag him into the
punishment of the Fire.
Dua 3 Allah (subhanahu wa taala) countered his dua twice, but Ibrahim (alayhis
salaam) does not give up and makes another Dua (while building the Kabah with
his son), Our Lord, accept from us. In this Dua, Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) made
Dua not only for himself, but included his children as well.
Dua 4 Allah (subhanahu wa taala) did not respond, which means the Dua was
answered. So Ibrahim (alayhis salaam) continued, And make us in complete
submission before you. And out of our children, guarantee that some of them will
only submit to You. And for those who are in submission to You, please teach us
our rituals. And accept our Taubah (the fact that he is asking Taubah is showing
his humility in the case he might have done something wrong).
Dua 4 The Dua continues as Allah (subhanahu wa taala) remained silent as the
Duas were being answered, Appoint from our future generations a messenger
from among them. This was genius because an outsider is looked on as less
relevant and cannot be the peoples leader. A messenger, who will read onto
them their miraculous signs, and will teach them their book and wisdom, cleanse

and purify them. The advent of the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wa
sallam) was the response to this this Dua.
The mentioned passage of verses are all concerned with parenthood. This is the
concern of a father who thinks ahead. Allah (subhanahu wa taala) finished talking
about Ibrahim (alayhis salaam) with, We had selected him in this world and in the
Hereafter. Truly, he is from the righteous.
The Ayah after this talks about Yaqub (alayhis salaam) and his advice to his
children; instead of Do not get less than a 90 in Math, it was Do not die except
as Muslims. Furthermore, the fact that it was Yaqub (alayhis salaam) that is in
this Ayah shows that the Dua was not only answered for the progeny of Ismaeel
(alayhis salaam), but the progeny of Ishaq (alayhis salaam). Yaqub, on his
deathbed, says to his children, What are you going to worship after I am gone?
The children answered, We will worship your God, and the God of your fathers,
Ibrahim, Ismaeel, and Ishaq, and we are Muslims completely to him.
Allah (subhanahu wa taala) finishes the passage by saying, Thats a nation that
was already gone. That group earned what they earned. And you will get what you
earn and will not be interrogated for what they did.