Join us for a Friday evening with Sidi Masoud Qazen to learn about Ibrahim’s (AS) famous dua and how that powerful supplication shapes our lives today.
Friday, Oct. 20 | 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Prayer Hall | Open to everyone and all ages, no registration required | Join in person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live
– More Sidi Masoud: https://mcceastbay.org/masoud
Sidi Masoud will also speak on Friday, October 13: https://mcceastbay.org/event/conversation
Masoud Qazen has over 20 years of experience in business system transformation leadership roles, with a demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives that enhance business performance and drive transformative change. He has successfully led end-to-end business transformation projects, including strategic initiatives, operational improvements, change management, and cultural change. He attained a Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma and a Master Trainer in Change Management.
Sidi Masoud is a community member, a scientist by profession, and an MCC Sunday School Quranic instructor. He spends his days coaching executives to improve problem-solving to bring new products to the market. He has studied Arabic and the Quran with many teachers, including scholars from the Bay. In his free time, he tackles the Bay Area mountains with his bike and fellow Muslim biking group.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Two DUAS OF PROPHET IBRAHIM (AS) FOR MAKKAH
رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَٰذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُمْ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ
Rabbij ‘al haazaa baladan aaminanw warzuq ahlahoo minas samaraati man aamana minhum billaahi wal yawmil aakhiri
“My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits – whoever of them believes in Allah and the Last Day.”
Surah Baqarah Ayat 126
رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَٰذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِنًا وَاجْنُبْنِي وَبَنِيَّ أَنْ نَعْبُدَ الْأَصْنَامَ
Rabbij ‘al haazal balada aaminanw wajnubnee wa baniyya an na’budal asnaam
“My Lord, make this city [Makkah] secure and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.”
Surah Ibrahim Ayat 35
Key takeaways:
- We know how lively of a city Makkah al-Mukarramah is now. It is a beautiful, secure, and safe city with a low crime rate, corruption, and theft. Allah (swt) to this day has granted the city with outstanding provisions for all its inhabitants even though only a few things are actually capable of growing there. Part of its prosperity is because of these two duas Prophet Ibrahim (as) made for the city.
- There’s a subtle difference between these two duas. In Surah Baqarah, it asks Allah (swt) to make this a secure city whereas in Surah Ibrahim it says make this city secure.
FIRST DU’A
Du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) made before Makkah was an established city. He prayed to Allah asking to turn this land into a city that is safe and peaceful for all its inhabitants. Ibrahim (as) goes on even further to ask that they be provided with ‘fruits’, meaning blessings, opportunity, and prosperity. To this day, Makkatul Mukarramah (i.e. the holy city of Mecca) has peace and stability.
This is the will of Allah.
Notice how in this du’a Prophet Ibrahim (as) asks for good provisions for all people, he does not differentiate between the Mushrikeen and the Muslims.
The ayah continues, “[Allah] said. “And whoever disbelieves – I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination.” (2:126)
This verse gives an example of rectitude or righteousness of Allah, so in terms of food, drinking, eating, sleeping, and playing Allah will give justly to both the believers and non-believers. But he warns us not to be fooled into thinking that wealth or riches is a sign of his blessings. No, the final destination is to Allah and here we will all face the consequences of our choices.
SECOND DUA
The difference between this du’a and the one covered previously is in two letters, alif lam (ٱلْبَلَدَ vs بَلَدًا) it is a small difference but the meaning changes. Prophet Ibrahim (as) now returns to Makkah, he recognizes it as an established city and asks that it remains secure.
Another contrast from the previous du’a is instead of asking for good provision for the city, Prophet Ibrahim (as) already sees that it is prosperous and instead asks to, “keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.”
The genius of Prophet Ibrahim (as) is that he has the foresight to acknowledge that when people tend to succeed, they party, it’s only when they fail they ponder. When things are going well, we forget the one who made it possible for us. We fall into this trap of believing our superiority and become arrogant when we win.
It is here the past communities deviated from the beliefs and standards which brought upon their original success.
Iblees is patient and will wait for the opportune time to cause corruption.
We must not get lazy when things are going well, in fact, this is the time where we need to double-down in our faith. At the height of your success is when we will be tested the most, Ibrahim (as) knowing this asks that we are protected from engaging in these sinful activities.