Rabbana Dua 02: The Dua for Guidance in Worship

Rabbana Dua 02: The Dua for Guidance in Worship

Quran: Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:128

Listen and recite

رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

Rabbana waj'alna muslimaini laka wa min dhurriyyatina ummatam-muslimatal-laka, wa arina manasikana wa tub 'alaina, innaka antat-Tawwabur-Raheem.

Meaning: Our Lord, make us both submissive to You and from our descendants a nation submissive to You. And show us our rites of worship and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.

Listen at Quran.com. The dua is the whole verse.

Understand the setting

The next verse continues the prayer of Ibrahim and Ismail. Their concern reaches beyond the building to the people who will worship there. They ask for their own submission to Allah, a community from their descendants that submits to Him, guidance in their rites, and acceptance of repentance.

Think about the meaning

This is a family prayer with a long view. It makes room for children, grandchildren and generations the speakers will never meet. It also leaves room to learn. If you are unsure about worship, you can ask Allah for guidance and ask a knowledgeable teacher to show you. When you make a mistake, turn back to Allah with hope.

For children: Allah, help us obey You. Help our families worship You. Teach us and accept our repentance.

Learn the words

  • رَبَّنَا (Rabbana): Our Lord.
  • وَاجْعَلْنَا (waj'alna): and make us.
  • مُسْلِمَيْنِ (muslimayni): both submissive.
  • لَكَ (laka): to You.
  • وَمِن (wa min): and from.
  • ذُرِّيَّتِنَا (dhurriyyatina): our descendants.
  • أُمَّةً (ummatan): a community.
  • مُّسْلِمَةً (muslimatan): submissive.
  • وَأَرِنَا (wa arina): and show us.
  • مَنَاسِكَنَا (manasikana): our rites of worship.
  • وَتُبْ (wa tub): and turn in forgiveness.
  • عَلَيْنَا ('alaina): to us / upon us.
  • إِنَّكَ (innaka): indeed You.
  • أَنتَ (anta): You.
  • التَّوَّابُ (at-Tawwab): the Accepter of Repentance.
  • الرَّحِيمُ (ar-Raheem): the Merciful.

Try it in your life

Learn one part of worship with a trusted teacher. Include your family in your dua. If you have done something wrong, acknowledge it, seek forgiveness and take a step to put it right.

Discuss: Let each person name someone they would like to pray for. A younger child can choose a family member; an older learner can think about future generations. Ask: "What is one thing about worship we would like to learn properly?"

Reflect: What habits would you like future generations to inherit from you? Consider both what you teach and what they see you do when you make a mistake.

Review

Practise with a reliable reciter or teacher. Read the Module 1 Family Guide and use the module flashcards, attached to Lesson 1. Take the quiz after reviewing. It has 10 questions and an 80% passing score.

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