Everything Beseeches Allah Almighty

Quranic Pearls

Everything Beseeches Allah Almighty

Mufti Muhammad Qasim Attari

Allah Almighty said:

یَسْــٴَـلُهٗ مَنْ فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضِؕ-كُلَّ یَوْمٍ هُوَ فِیْ شَاْنٍۚ(۲۹)

“All, who are in the heavens and the earth, are His beggars. Every day He has a ˹new˺ task^[1].”^[2]

Commentary: This verse unequivocally declares that all created beings, from the angels in the heavens to the earth-dwelling humans, jinn, and other life forms, are dependent on Allah Almighty. In fact, every single one of them is in need of His grace, and they all beseech Him. Creation is incapable and depends on Allah’s omnipotence for everything.^[3]

Those residing in the heavens include Jibrīl, Mikaʾīl, the Bearers of the Throne, the angels of high rank (muqarrabīn), and the other angels. Those living on earth include the prophets, saints, righteous people, and the believers. Even the polytheists and non-Muslims are among those who beseech the Lord. Likewise, animals and plants seek from His majestic court. Hence, it is stated regarding all humans, animals, and earthly creatures:

وَ مَا مِنْ دَآبَّةٍ فِی الْاَرْضِ اِلَّا عَلَى اللّٰهِ رِزْقُهَا

“And there is no one that walks upon the earth whose sustenance is not upon the responsibility of Allah's generosity;”^[4]

Mention of those in the heavens and the earth and everything glorifying Allah Almighty has been referred to in the following way in the Quran:

“The seven heavens, and the earth, and all those in them glorify Him. And there is not a thing that does not proclaim His purity whilst praising Him. Yes; you do not understand their (method of) glorification. Indeed, He is Most Forbearing, Ever Forgiving.”^[5]

Note that glorifying Allah Almighty is also a form of supplicating to Him.

From amongst those residing in the heavens, the high-ranking angels that bear the Throne supplicate in the following way in the court of Allah Almighty. It is stated in the Quran:

“Those (angels) who carry the Throne and those who are around it proclaim the purity of their Lord while praising Him, and they believe in Him and seek forgiveness for the believers; (saying) ‘O our Lord, everything is encompassed by Your mercy and knowledge; therefore, forgive those who repented and followed Your path, and save them from the punishment of Hell.’”^[6]

Those who live on earth also seek from the Lord of the universe. The most superior figures from them are the prophets عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام. These are some of the supplications they made to Allah Almighty.

1.   Prophet Ādam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم sought forgiveness and pardon by supplicating:

“O our Lord, we have wronged ourselves; so, if You do not forgive us and do not have mercy upon us, we hence certainly became amongst those in loss.”^[7]

2.   Disheartened by the malicious denial and contempt of his nation, Prophet Nūḥ عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم called Allah Almighty:

“So, he supplicated to his Lord, 'I am overpowered; therefore, take revenge on my behalf.'”^[8]

3.   Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم sought wisdom and the nearness of Allah Almighty by praying:

“O my Lord, bestow upon me wisdom and connect me with those who deserve your special proximity.”^[9]

He made the following supplication for the acceptance of his deeds:

“And (recall) when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of this House along with Ismail whilst saying, 'O our Lord, accept (this service) from us; undoubtedly, only You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.'”^[10]

He supplicated for Makkah:

“And remember when Ibrahim said humbly, 'O my Lord, make this town (Makkah) secure, and safeguard me and my sons from worshipping idols.'”^[11]

He sought forgiveness for himself, his parents, and for all believers on the Day of Judgement:

“O our Lord, forgive me, and my parents, and all the Muslims on the Day when accountability will take place.”^[12]

4.   Displeased with his nation, Prophet Lūṭ عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم sought divine help against them:

“He submitted, ‘O my Lord, help me against these corrupt people.’”^[13]

5.   After suffering hardship, difficulty, and illness for a lengthy period, Prophet Ayyūb عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم asked Allah Almighty:

“And (remember) Ayyub (Job), when he called his Lord: 'Distress has afflicted me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.'”^[14]

6.   In the depths of the ocean whilst in the belly of the whale, Prophet Yūnus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم pleaded for salvation in the divine court with the following words:

“There is no god except You; glory be to You. Indeed, an out-of-place (act) occurred from me.”^[15]

7.   When Prophet Mūsā عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم arrived in Midian in a state of hunger, he made the following request to Allah Almighty:

“O my Lord, I am in need of that food which you may send down for me.”^[16]

Then, after being honoured with Prophethood, he prayed for success in fulfilling his new duties:

“O my Lord, open up my chest for me (to increase my confidence). And make my task easy for me. And untie the knot of my tongue in order that they may understand my speech.”[17]

Prophet Sulaymān عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم asked the Owner of the Universe for an unparalleled kingdom:

“O my Lord, forgive me and bestow upon me such a kingdom, which shall not be fitting to anyone after me. Indeed, only You are the Great Bestower.”[18]

8.   In old age, Prophet Zakariyyā عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم sought offspring from the Creator and Owner:

“O my Lord, give me from Your Court righteous offspring; indeed, only You are the Acceptor of supplication.”[19]

Furthermore, he also stated: “O my Lord, do not leave me alone (i.e. childless), and You are the Best Inheritor (i.e. Eternal).”[20]

9.   On the request of his people, Prophet ʿĪsā عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم prayed to Allah, the true provider of sustenance, for a spread of food:

“O Allah, O our Lord, send down for us a table spread (with food) from heaven, that it may become an Eid (i.e. a joyous festival) for us, for our former and latter people, and (let it be) a sign from You. And give us sustenance, and You are the Best Provider of sustenance.”[21]

10.   Likewise, the supplications of Allah’s Beloved, our master Muhammad صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم are also mentioned in the Qurʾān and hadith. The Ulema have dedicated volumes to these precious Muhammadan supplications. The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم supplicated:

“O my Lord, bestow upon me more knowledge.”[22]

“O my Lord, forgive (the believers) and have mercy, and You are the Best to bestow mercy.”[23]

Being mindful of all these verses, now recite this verse:

یَسْــٴَـلُهٗ مَنْ فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضِؕ-كُلَّ یَوْمٍ هُوَ فِیْ شَاْنٍۚ(۲۹)

“All, who are in the heavens and the earth, are His beggars. Every day He has a ˹new˺ task.”[24]

Now, immerse yourself in Allah’s love, reflect on His greatness, and raise your hands in His majestic court. May Allah Almighty grant us the blessings of both worlds for the sake of His Prophet  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Āmīn.