(127–129) “And remember when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House, praying, ‘Our Lord, accept this from us. You are indeed the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. Our Lord, make us both submissive to You, and from our descendants a community submissive to You. Show us our rites and turn to us in mercy. You are indeed the Ever-Accepting of Repentance, the Most Merciful. Our Lord, raise up among them a messenger from their own, who will recite Your verses to them, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. You are indeed the Almighty, the All-Wise.’”

That is, remember Abraham and Ishmael as they raised the foundations—the base—of the House and persevered in this momentous work. Consider how they combined fear with hope: despite performing such a deed, they still prayed that Allah would accept it from them, so that benefit might be realized(1) through it far and wide.

They also prayed that they and their descendants be granted Islam, whose true essence is the heart’s submission and surrender to its Lord, which necessarily entails the submission of the limbs. “Show us our rites”; that is, teach them to us in a manner that allows us to see and directly observe them, for this is more effective. The rites may refer to all the acts of pilgrimage, as indicated by the context and setting. They may also bear the broader meaning of the entire religion and every act of worship, as suggested by the general wording. The term originally denotes worship, though customary usage came to apply it predominantly to the rites of pilgrimage. Their supplication therefore amounts to a plea for success in acquiring beneficial knowledge and performing righteous deeds. Since every servant, whatever his standing, inevitably falls short and needs repentance, they said, “Turn to us in mercy. You are indeed the Ever-Accepting of Repentance, the Most Merciful.”

“Our Lord, raise up among them”—that is, among our descendants—“a messenger from their own,” so that their own rank would be further elevated, their descendants would submit to him, and they would know him fully. “Who will recite Your verses to them”—uttering their words, memorizing them, and teaching others to memorize them—“and teach them the Book and wisdom”; that is, their meanings.

“And purify them” by nurturing them upon righteous deeds and ridding them of vile deeds, for souls(2) cannot be purified while such deeds remain. “You are indeed the Almighty”; that is, the One who subdues all things and whose might nothing can resist. “The All-Wise,” who places everything in its proper place. Thus, they prayed: By Your might and wisdom, raise up this messenger among them.

Allah answered their prayer and sent this noble Messenger, through whom He showed mercy to their descendants in particular and to all creation in general. Thus the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said, “I am the supplication of my father Abraham.”

After Allah had honored Abraham so greatly and informed us of his perfect qualities, He, Exalted is He, said: