Likewise, when Allah decreed victory for him on the Day of Badr, one of the causes that brought it about was his earnest plea for help. In the same manner, when He decides to send down rain, the supplication of His servants is counted among the means that lead to it—and there are many similar examples. Hence, it is by no means impossible that the Messiah, after his ascension, entreated his Lord to commission Muhammad, and that this petition formed one of the causes for his being sent. Abraham, on the other hand, voiced his request while still on earth, so Allah recorded it explicitly, unlike Jesus’ request, which occurred only after he had been taken up to heaven.