In Surah Saffat, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) grew old without having any children.
From the verses of the Quran, it is clear that this was a source of grief for him. Naturally, he desired to continue his lineage.
Thus, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) made a dua beginning with “Rabbi Habli Minas Saliheen,” asking Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) for righteous offspring.
We know his dua was answered, as he had two sons: Ismael and Isaac. In Surah Ibrahim Ayat 39, he thanked Allah, saying: “Alhamdu lillaahil lazee wahaba lee ‘alal kibari Ismaa’eela wa Ishaaq; inna Rabbee lasamee’ud du’aaa” – which means “Praise to Allah, who has granted to me in old age Ishmael and Isaac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication.”
Many people are unaware of the love and struggles Prophet Ibrahim endured for his son. His son was everything to him, all he had wished for. Yet his devotion to Allah SWT was so profound that when tested with the command to sacrifice his son, he was willing to do so.
As stated in Surah Saffat Ayat 102: “And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, ‘O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.’ He said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.’”
Subhanallah.
Rabbi Habli Minas Saliheen in Arabic Text
The “Rabbi Habli Minas Saliheen” dua is from Surah As Saffat Ayat 100. Its Arabic text is as follows:
رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
Meaning of Rabbi Habli Minas Saliheen
The core meaning of “Rabbi Habli Minas Saliheen” is: “My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.”
Lessons from Prophet Ibrahim’s Dua
From these Quranic verses, we learn that if we wish to have righteous children one day, we should follow Prophet Ibrahim’s example and make this dua. Children are the greatest gift of marriage; they bring comfort, instill responsibility, and give purpose to life. Inshallah, Allah will bestow upon us the blessing of having healthy children to call our own.
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