What Did the Prophet ﷺ Do When He Was Asked to Supplicate?
The Hands that Lifted in Prayer – Three Moments with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
Imagine standing in the heart of Madinah, the city alive with the soft hum of life. The narrow streets wind around houses made of sun-dried bricks, and palm trees sway gently in the breeze. At the center of it all is the masjid – simple yet luminous, a place where every stone seems to hold the echo of revelation.
You find yourself standing among the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), watching as he moves through the crowd, his presence calming and filled with quiet authority. His every word carries weight, his every glance a reminder of mercy. You observe closely – for to witness him, even from the back rows, is to feel as though the veil between heaven and earth has thinned.
He listens. To the rich and the poor, to the leader and the shepherd, to the woman and the child. No request seemed too small, no burden unworthy of his time.
Some sought advice, others asked for guidance, but sometimes, those who stood before him asked for something simple – a prayer.
The companions knew his supplications were answered. They had witnessed the rain that poured at his request and the way the sick rose from their beds at the sound of his dua. To ask the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) for a prayer was to ask for a link to the heavens.
These moments weren’t about material wealth or worldly gains – they were about barakah, forgiveness, strength, and the hope that the prayers of the most beloved of Allah would follow them for the rest of their days.
Here are four moments that stand out – instances where the companions approached him, asking for nothing but his supplication.
#1: A Desire for Knowledge – The Dua for Ibn Abbas (RA)
The day is calm, and the masjid is quiet except for the gentle murmur of companions finishing their prayers. You see Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA), a young boy at the time, standing to the side, carefully holding a small vessel of water. His eyes remain fixed on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who sits peacefully, completing his wudu (ablution).
When the Prophet (PBUH) finishes, Ibn Abbas steps forward, offering the water with both hands. The Prophet (PBUH) accepts it with a smile, his expression warm and kind. As Ibn Abbas lowers his head in humility, he softly makes his request:
"O Messenger of Allah, make dua to Allah for me."
The Prophet (PBUH) places his hand gently on Ibn Abbas’s shoulder. He raises his hands to the sky, and in the quiet of the moment, you hear the supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ فَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَعَلِّمْهُ التَّأْوِيلَ
"O Allah, give him understanding of the religion and teach him the interpretation (of the Qur'an)." Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 143), Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 2397)Ibn Abbas stands quietly as the Prophet’s (PBUH) hands lower, the words of the dua resonating in his heart. In the years that follow, you hear his name spoken often – the scholar of the Qur’an, the interpreter of the Divine words. His deep understanding and mastery of tafsir (Qur’anic exegesis) grow, a clear testament to the barakah of the Prophet’s supplication.
#2: A Mother's Plea for Her Son – The Dua for Anas ibn Malik (RA)
The markets hum quietly as Madinah settles into the rhythm of the day. Merchants call out to passersby, and the warm breeze carries the sweet scent of date palms. You see a woman moving through the streets, a young boy trailing beside her. There’s purpose in her step as she nears the masjid, gently nudging the boy forward.
It is Umm Sulaim (RA), and her son, Anas ibn Malik (RA), walks beside her.
When they reach the Prophet (PBUH), she greets him with warmth and humility. Anas stands quietly, his gaze lowered in respect. Umm Sulaim places her hand on his shoulder and speaks with the heart of a mother: "O Messenger of Allah, this is Anas. Let him serve you – and please, make dua for him."
The Prophet (PBUH) kneels slightly, his eyes meeting the young boy’s. His hand rests softly on Anas’s head, his expression full of affection.
Then, lifting his hands to the sky, the Prophet (PBUH) makes dua:
اللَّهُمَّ أَكْثِرْ مَالَهُ وَوَلَدَهُ، وَبَارِكْ لَهُ فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ
"O Allah, increase his wealth and his children, and bless him in what You have given him." Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 1982), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2481)The crowd falls quiet for a moment, listening to the words that seem to fill the air with something unseen but deeply felt. As the Prophet’s hands lower, Umm Sulaim smiles and thanks him, leading Anas away.
Years later, Anas (RA) would speak of this day often, pointing to his fields rich with crops and his descendants filling the streets of Madinah. "The dua of the Prophet," he would say, "never left me."
#3: A Simple Request – The Dua for Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA)
The afternoon sun casts long shadows over the masjid. The congregation disperses, but a few companions linger behind, drawn by the quiet presence of the Prophet (PBUH). Among them is Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA), his heart filled with the kind of longing that cannot be put into words.
As the Prophet (PBUH) begins to leave, Jabir approaches him, his voice soft but clear:
"O Messenger of Allah, make dua for me."
There is no further explanation, no request for wealth or status – only the sincere plea for a prayer.
The Prophet (PBUH) turns toward him, his expression gentle. He places his hand on Jabir’s shoulder and raises his hands in supplication:
هَدَاكَ اللَّهُ وَغَفَرَ لَكَ وَبَارَكَ فِيكَ
"May Allah guide you, forgive you, and bless you." Sunan Abi Dawood (Hadith 1535), Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 7357)Jabir smiles softly, stepping back as the Prophet (PBUH) continues on his way. A simple dua, but one that carries the weight of heaven.
#4: A Call for Strength – The Dua for Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (RA)
The streets of Madinah glow softly under the light of the setting sun. The Prophet (PBUH) walks through the masjid courtyard, the evening breeze gently lifting the edge of his cloak. From the side, Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (RA) approaches, his face calm but his heart heavy.
"O Messenger of Allah, make dua for me to have strength," he says, his voice carrying the quiet fatigue of a man who seeks more than physical strength.
The Prophet (PBUH) pauses and turns toward him, placing his hand firmly on Abu Musa’s shoulder. The dua that follows is filled with compassion:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَاهْدِهِ وَثَبِّتْهُ
"O Allah, forgive him, guide him, and make him steadfast." Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 143), Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 19474)As the words settle into the evening air, Abu Musa feels the weight on his heart ease, as though the simple prayer had lifted burdens unseen.
A Legacy of Supplications
The times of these duas are not known to me, but their presence in the lives of these companions is undeniable. The Prophet (PBUH) never turned away anyone who asked for supplication – whether for wealth, strength, or simply the barakah of a blessed life.
His hands lifted often, and for those blessed to stand before him, his prayers became seeds that grew into lifelong blessings.