رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْ هَٰذَا ٱلْبَلَدَ ءَامِنًا وَٱجْنُبْنِى وَبَنِىَّ أَن نَّعْبُدَ ٱلْأَصْنَامَ.

My Lord, make this city [Makkah] secure and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.

Rabbi jal hadha lbalada aminan wajnubni wabaniyya an nabuda laṣnam

This supplication made by Prophet Ibraheem was answered by Allah. Allah has protected Makkah throughout the ages against invading enemies, such as the Companions of the Elephant and others, and He will continue to protect it against the Dajjal (false messiah) and other invading armies as is stated in the Sunnah. Prophet Ibraheem also asks Allah to protect him and his children from worshipping idols. From this we learn that he never took confidence in his own strength of faith, in spite of being one of Allah’s most glorious prophets and a staunch upholder of Tawheed. His reliance on Allah was complete. -Tafseer As-Sa’di and others.

رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِى وَمَا نُعْلِنُ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ.

Our Lord, indeed You know what we conceal and what we declare, and nothing is hidden from Allah on the earth or in the heaven.

Rabbana innaka talamu ma nukhfi wama nulinu wama yakhfa ala llahi min shayin fi larḍi wala fi ssamai

Prophet Ibraheem asks Allah to handle all his affairs for him, for Allah knows all that we conceal and all we reveal, and He knows all that lies in the heavens and on the earth. Allah’s complete knowledge and complete power over all things make Him the one and only true God we should seek to handle our affairs and bring us what is best. -Tafseer As-Sa’di.

رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ.

My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.

Rabbijalni muqimaṣṣalati wa min dhurriyyati Rabbana wa taqabbal dua’.

Prayers are the most important act of worship in Islam, and to establish prayers means to make sure that all the pillars, mandatories, and other aspects of prayer are practiced properly and with humility. Such was the importance of prayer long before Prophet Muhammad Sallah Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam was sent to us as a prophet.

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ.

Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.

Rabbanaghfir li wa liwalidayya wa lilmu’minina yawma yaqumulhisab.

This is a very beautiful supplication for forgiveness that includes oneself, one’s parents, and every Believer who will ever live. It also shows Prophet Ibraheem’s care for the Believers and his earnest desire for all Believers to be forgiven.

رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا.

My Lord, have mercy upon them [my parents] as they brought me up [when I was] small.

Rabbirhamhuma kama rabbayani ṣaghira.

This supplication suggests that the more parents do to raise their children, teach them manners, and give them a sound religious upbringing, the more those children become indebted to their parents and should, therefore, supplicate for them as much as possible. In fact, this suggests that anyone who plays a role in someone’s upbringing, nurturing, and mentoring, such as teachers, other members of the family or neighbors, also deserves special prayers and supplications.

رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِى مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِى مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَٱجْعَل لِّى مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَٰنًا نَّصِيرًا.

My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.

Rabbi adkhilni mudkhala ṣidqin waakhrijni mukhraja ṣidqin wajal li min ladunka sultanan naṣira

While many scholars state that the context of this supplication was the Prophet Muhammad’s, Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, migration from Makkah to Madeenah, it can also be used in other situations. Indeed, it is a supplication whereby a Muslim asks Allah to grant him or her sincerity in everything they do and in every aspect of their lives. Whatever we seek to undertake and whatever we seek to leave should all be done for the sake of Allah, and so this is a supplication that brings great benefit in almost any situation, by the grace of Allah. It is also a means of asking Allah for strength in carrying out one’s affairs. -At-Tabari and others.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا.

Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair, right guidance.

Rabbana atina milladunka rahmatan wa hayyi’ lana min amrina rashada.

These beautiful words were spoken by the People of the Cave as they sought Allah’s aid in escaping harm and against being forced back into unbelief, just as they asked Allah to grant them the means by which they might attain guidance and wellbeing in this life and the next. Hence, Allah answered their prayers, and we ask Allah to answer our prayers whenever we utter the words they spoke. -Tafseer As-Sa’di.

رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي. وَيَسِّرْ لِىٓ أَمْرِى. وَٱحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِى. يَفْقَهُوا۟ قَوْلِى.

My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance]. And ease for me my task. And untie the knot from my tongue. That they may understand my speech.

Rabbishshrah li ṣadri. Wa yassir li amri. wahlul uqdatan min lisani. yafqahu qawli

This is a particularly helpful supplication for anyone seeking to advise others or help them see right from wrong. A person who lacks patience and forbearance when dealing with others is not someone who is fit for advising others or for helping them to learn. Likewise, to be able to articulate one’s thoughts is also a necessary quality for the same objective. -Tafseer As-Sa’di and others.

 رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَن يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَآ أَوْ أَن يَطْغَىٰ.

Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress.

Rabbana innana nakhafu an yafruta alayna aw an yatgha

Spoken by Musa and Harun, this supplication is a means by which Allah protects His believing servants from the undeserved punishment and unjust transgression of tyrants and other evildoers. -Most tafseer state the same general meanings.

رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا.

My Lord, increase me in knowledge.

Rabbi zidni ilma.

Scholars point out that knowledge is the only thing the Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, was commanded to ask for more of. This is indicative of the importance and honor of knowledge, and shows that it is the starting point for every act of worship. Indeed, the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam continued to seek knowledge from Allah until his death.