Surah Ibrahim — Verse 40

Word Meanings:

• Muqeem as-Salah (مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ): One who establishes and performs the prayer completely, observing its conditions, pillars, and obligations, and maintaining it consistently at its appointed times.
• Min Dhurriyyati (مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي): From my offspring and descendants.
• Taqabbal (تَقَبَّل): Accept, respond to, and receive with approval.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This is a beautiful and heartfelt supplication from Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), the intimate friend of Allah, which he made after settling his family in the barren valley of Mecca. In this verse, he turns to his Lord with a profound request that reflects his deep concern for both himself and his descendants.

First, he asks: *"My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer"* — meaning, make me someone who performs the prayer perfectly, with complete devotion, humility, and consistency. He does not merely ask to be given the ability to pray, but to be made a person who *establishes* it — one who upholds it in the best manner, both inwardly and outwardly, and who remains steadfast upon it throughout his life.

Then he adds: *"and from my offspring"* — that is, make some of my descendants also among those who establish the prayer. Notice that he says "from my offspring" and not "all my offspring," because he knew through divine knowledge that not all of his descendants would be believers. Some would stray from the path, so he asked for those among them who would be guided to uphold this great pillar of Islam.

Finally, he concludes: *"Our Lord, and accept my supplication"* — meaning, respond to this prayer of mine and accept my worship and devotion. This shows his humility and his awareness that acceptance comes only from Allah, and that even a prophet of his stature needs to beseech Allah for the acceptance of his deeds.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

This verse teaches us the immense value of prayer (Salah) in the sight of Allah — that it was the foremost concern of a great prophet for himself and his family. It also shows us the beautiful way of making du'a: combining concern for oneself with concern for one's children and future generations. Just as Ibrahim asked Allah to make his descendants people of prayer, every Muslim parent should make this same supplication for their children. The prayer is the foundation of faith, the connection between the servant and his Lord, and the first thing one will be asked about on the Day of Judgment. Let us follow the example of this noble prophet — let us strive to establish the prayer in our own lives, and let us constantly ask Allah to make our families among those who uphold it. For when the prayer is sound, all other affairs become sound, and when it is corrupted, everything else is corrupted. May Allah make us and our descendants among those who establish the prayer perfectly and accept our supplications, for He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.