As for the report that when Abraham, Allah’s intimate friend, was placed in the catapult, Gabriel said to him, “Ask,” and he replied, “His knowledge of my condition suffices me without my asking,” it has no known chain of transmission and is false. Rather, the report established in the Sahīh from Ibn ‘Abbās gives the words:

“Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.”

Ibn ‘Abbās said: “Abraham said these words when he was cast into the fire, and Muhammad said them when:

‘People said to them, “The people have gathered against you, so fear them.”’”

It has also been reported that Gabriel asked, “Do you have any need?” Abraham replied, “From you, no.” Imām Ahmad and others have mentioned this. As for Abraham’s asking his Lord, mighty and majestic, this is mentioned in several places in the Quran. How, then, could he say, “His knowledge of my condition suffices me without my asking”?

Allah knows all things, yet He has commanded His servants to worship Him, put their trust in Him, and ask Him. For He, glorified be He, has made these acts means through which He brings about their results: rewarding those who worship Him and answering those who ask Him. He, glorified be He, knows things as they truly are. His knowledge that one person is in need or another has sinned does not preclude His commanding the sinner to repent and seek forgiveness, or the person in need to supplicate and employ other means through which his need is met. Likewise, He commands a person to worship and obey Him, thereby attaining the honor He bestows.

At certain times, however, a servant may be commanded to do something better than supplication, as related in the hadith:

“Whoever is so occupied with remembering Me that he does not ask Me, I give him the best of what I give those who ask.”

In al-Tirmidhī, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is reported to have said:

“Whoever is so occupied with reciting the Quran that he does not remember Me or ask Me, I give him the best of what I give those who ask.”

Al-Tirmidhī said: “This is a good, singular hadith.”

The best physical act of worship is prayer. It includes recitation, remembrance, and supplication, and each