Introduction of prayer:
This prayer refers to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). When he preached Islam, he was opposed by a large number of persons from his nation. He did not get afraid any of their trap, threat or conspiracy. When the Prophet (pbuh) had delivered the Divine Message clearly, but a lot of the wrongdoers were still on the path of deprivation. Then the Prophet (pbuh) called upon Allah by reciting this prayer.
Explanation & virtues of prayer:
1- رَبِّ ٱحْكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ(“My Lord! Judge ˹between us˺ in truth):
In the Quran ‘Hukm’ denotes arbitration, judgment, authority, God’s will. Hukm coming to refer to temporal executive rule/power or to a court decision.
In this prayer the Prophet (pbuh) supplicated Allah against disbelievers who did not take him as the Messenger of Allah and deny the truthfulness of Divine Message. Qur’an has described the supplication of many Prophets who called upon Allah against their nation when they deny them. Allah Kareem has mentioned the prayer of Sayyidna Shu’aib (as). When he was said to return back to his nation’s false religion, he denied to do so strictly and said;
رَبَّنَا ٱفْتَحْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْفَـٰتِحِينَ
Our Lord! Judge between us and our people with truth. You are the best of those who judge.”(Surah Al-A’raf: 89)
When the prophets called upon Allah Kareem against disbelievers, they were supported and helped. Allah destroyed the nations who denied their prophets. Same as, any believer facing the opposition from his family or nation, (while he is on Truth) he should recite this prophetic prayer.
2- وَرَبُّنَا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ ١١٢ (And our Lord is the Most Compassionate, Whose help is sought against what you claim):
This is the statement of the Prophet (pbuh) against the disbelievers that I sought help of the Almighty against you and your conspiracy.
ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ Al-Musta’aan is the One Whose help is sought and in Whom refuge is taken. He is the One who is always present and capable to provide the most perfect help whatever is the situation.
Whenever you need help, call upon Al-Musta’aan and turn to him first when you are facing difficulties or when falsehood is presented as truth.
This prayer also refers to Sayyidna Ya’qub (as) when he was deceived by his sons, after they threw Sayyidna Yousuf (as) to the bottom of the well. They went back to their father, during the darkness of the night, crying and showing sorrow and grief for losing Yusuf. They started giving false excuses to their father for what happened to Yusuf. Prophet Ya`qub (as) did not believe them. After seeing this shirt totally unscratched, Sayyidna Ya’qub (as) said: My sons, certainly wise was this wolf who ate Yusuf in a way that his shirt was not torn from anywhere.
Thus, their deceit was exposed before Sayyidna Ya’qub (as) and he said:
بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ وَاللَّـهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
Rather, your inner desires have seduced you to something. So, patience is best. And it is Allah whose help is sought against what you describe.
When we are stuck with such condition and situation where we are helpless against the wrongdoers never be despair and supplicate Allah having believe and faith in Him. You will see Divine Help and comfort, Insha’Allah. Recite this prayer regularly after every obligatory Salah.
