The Attainment of the Spiritual Children of Abraham to the Station of Submission

Abraham, who was concerned about future generations and their fate, also prayed for his children and descendants in the second part of this supplication, asking God Almighty to grant them the station of submission, obedience, and complete detachment: “Our Lord, make us submissive to You and from our descendants a nation submissive to You.” The word “from” (min) indicates partitiveness, thus the phrase “from our descendants” (min dhurrīyatinā) implies that only some of Abraham and Ishmael’s descendants will attain this station.

The reason for specifying the prayer for descendants is, firstly, the natural inclination and innate desire of every person for the righteousness and prosperity of their immediate or distant children, and secondly, the specific divine command “protect yourselves and your families from the Fire”(69). Therefore, the supplication of God’s special servants is: “Our Lord, grant us from among our spouses and offspring comfort to our eyes”(70). Zechariah also, while requesting a child, asked for him to be pure and good: “Grant me from Yourself a good offspring”(71). Thus, the main focus and literal expression is the specification of the prayer for natural descendants and physical lineage. However, refining the criterion, generalizing the principle, and expanding the spiritual influence of divine leaders necessitates that anyone who truly accepts their leadership and follows them sincerely in beliefs and actions should be considered part of their family and lineage. This is supported by what has been reported from these holy personalities themselves, based on the verse “Whoever follows me is of me”(72) and the verse “Indeed, the people most worthy of Abraham are those who followed him and this Prophet and those who believe”(73), that “Salmān is of us, the People of the House”(74). Similar statements have been reported about several other men and women(75). Consequently, it is not far-fetched to hope for the extension of that supplication, albeit in the form of encouragement and motivation, to their spiritual children.

Based on this, attaining the aforementioned perfection, namely the station of submission, obedience, and complete detachment, is not exclusive to the infallibles or limited to the descendants of Abraham, the Friend of the Most Merciful. Others can also take steps towards achieving it. In support of this point, it can be said that God Almighty introduces Abraham, the Friend of the Most Merciful, as the father of all Muslims: “The faith of your father Abraham. It is He who has named you Muslims before”(76).

Considering the implied factor for the accusative case of “faith” (millata), which is “follow” (ittabiʿū) or similar, it is evident that the honor of being Abraham’s children is bestowed upon those who walk in the path of his faith and goals. In this case, they too will be included in the answered supplication of that noble figure.