Knowledge and Prophethood
رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ، وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ، وَالْحِكْمَةَ، وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ.
رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
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“Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from among themselves, who will recite to them Your verses, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. Truly, You are the Mighty, the Wise.”
Form: the imperative mood “ib’ath” (ابْعَثْ). Ibrahim’s supplication for the sending of the Final Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). It shows that the fruits of a supplication may appear centuries later.
Tafsir of Sheikh Abd al-Rahman al-Saadi
Sheikh as-Saadi writes: “Allah answered this supplication of Ibrahim many centuries later by sending Muhammad to the Arab people and to all mankind. Purification means the purification of hearts from shirk, and wisdom is knowledge of the Sunnah”.
Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir
Ibn Kathir cites the words of the Messenger of Allah: “I am the fulfilment of the supplication of my father Ibrahim and the glad tidings of my brother Isa” (narrated by Imam Ahmad in “Al-Musnad”, 4/127).
Tafsir al-Baghawi
“…(O) our Lord! And raise up among them…” that is, among the community that has submitted to Allah, from among the descendants of Ibrahim and Ismail. There is an opinion that this means among the inhabitants of Mecca.
“…a messenger from among them (themselves)…” that is, one sent from among their own number; this refers to Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him). “…who will recite…” will read
“…Your signs to them…” Your Book, that is, the Qur’an. A verse from the Qur’an is a connected utterance that continues until its completion. There is an opinion that it is a collection of letters. They say, “The people went out with their collections,” meaning with their groups. “…and teach them the Book…” that is, the Qur’an.
“…and wisdom…” Mujahid said: understanding the Qur’an. Muqatil said: the exhortations of the Qur’an and the rulings it contains. Ibn Qutaybah said: this is knowledge and deeds, and a person will not be wise until he combines both. There is an opinion that this is the Sunnah and rulings.
There is an opinion that this means judicial decisions. There is an opinion that wisdom is a profound understanding of faith (fiqh). Abu Bakr ibn Durayd said: every word that guides you, calls you to virtue, or restrains you from vice is wisdom.
“…and purify them…” that is, purify them of polytheism and sins. There is an opinion that he will take from them the obligatory alms (zakat) from their wealth. Ibn Kaysan said: he will testify concerning them on the Day of Resurrection that they acted justly, if they testify that the prophets conveyed the truth to them. This is what “purification” means—that is, affirming their justness.
“…(for) indeed, You are the Mighty, the Wise!”…” Ibn ‘Abbas said: “Al-‘Aziz” is the One Who has no equal.
In “Al-Musnad” of Imam Ahmad (No. 17163) it is reported that the Companions asked the Prophet: “Tell us about yourself!” He replied: “I am the supplication of my father Ibrahim…”