those who call upon their Lord with hope and fear. Some supplications are obligatory upon every Muslim, such as the supplication contained in the opening chapter of the Quran.

Some of these people appeal to a report about Abraham, Allah’s close friend: when he was cast into the fire, Gabriel asked him:

“Do you need anything?”

He replied, “From you, no.”

Gabriel said, “Then ask.”

Abraham replied, “His knowledge of my condition suffices me without my asking.”

The beginning of this report—his words, “From you, no”—is well known. It is also authentically reported in Sahīh al-Bukhārī that Ibn ‘Abbās, may Allah be pleased with them both, said concerning the words “Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs”:

“Abraham said these words when he was cast into the fire, and Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said them when people told him, ‘Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.’”

As for the words, “His knowledge of my condition suffices me without my asking,” this is a false statement. It contradicts what Allah has related about Abraham, His close friend, and the other prophets: their supplications to Allah and their requests of Him. It also contradicts Allah’s command that His servants ask Him for well-being in this world and the Hereafter, as in their words:

“Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”

Supplicating Allah, asking of Him, and relying upon Him are acts of worship of Allah, prescribed in connection with means, just as He decrees outcomes through means. How, then, could His knowledge alone dispense with what He has created and commanded? Allah knows best. May Allah bless Muhammad and grant him peace.