Surah Ibrahim (14) — Ayah 38

(Ayah38) ➊ {رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِيْ …:} That is, He knows our hidden inner desires and whatever we are asking for with our tongues. This is the best way to ask, that one suffices with only praise. In "Kitab al-Aghani (8/344)" it is mentioned that Umayyah bin Abi al-Salt addressed Abdullah bin Jud'an and said:
{أَ أَذْكُرُ حَاجَتِيْ أَمْ قَدْ كَفَانِيْ ¤ حَيَاءُكَ اِنَّ شِيْمَتَكَ الْحَيَاءُ ¤ إِذَا أَثْنَی عَلَيْكَ الْمَرْءُ يَومًا ¤ كَفَاهُ مِنْ تَعَرُّضِهِ الثَّنَاءُ}
"Should I mention my need or is your modesty surely enough for me, because your habit is modesty itself? When a person praises you any day, then instead of presenting his need, praise alone is enough for him."
Sufyan bin 'Uyaynah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "If this is the state of the creation, then what would be the state of the Creator?" That is why the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ أَفْضَلُ الذِّكْرِ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ اللّٰهُ وَ أَفْضَلُ الدُّعَاءِ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ ] [ ابن ماجہ، الأدب، باب فضل الحامدین : ۳۸۰۰۔ ترمذی : ۳۳۸۳، عن جابر رضی اللہ عنہ ] "The best remembrance is La ilaha illallah and the best supplication is Alhamdulillah." The purpose is: O Lord! Whatever we are asking for and whatever is in our hearts, You know everything; surely nothing in the heavens or the earth is hidden from Allah. So, along with our apparent requests, also fulfill the desires of our hearts. Remember, that famous narration in which it is mentioned that at the time of being thrown into the fire, the angel of rain offered help to Ibrahim (peace be upon him), and after knowing that he had come of his own accord and not sent by Allah, he refused to accept help. And when the angel said, then you yourself supplicate to Allah, he replied: [ حَسْبِيْ عَنْ سُؤَالِيْ عِلْمُهُ بِحَالِيْ ] or he said: [ عِلْمُهُ بِحَالِيْ يُغْنِيْ عَنْ سُؤَالِهِ ] "It is enough for me that He knows my condition, rather than me asking." So this is merely an Israelite narration which has no reality; rather, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ مَنْ لَّمْ يَدْعُ اللّٰهَ سُبْحَانَهُ غَضِبَ عَلَيْهِ ] "Whoever does not supplicate to Allah, Allah becomes angry with him." [ ابن ماجہ، الدعاء، باب فضل الدعاء : ۳۸۲۷۔ السلسلۃ الصحیحۃ : 323/6، ح : ۲۶۵۴ ] And Allah the Exalted said: «{ وَ قَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُوْنِيْۤ اَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يَسْتَكْبِرُوْنَ۠ عَنْ عِبَادَتِيْ سَيَدْخُلُوْنَ جَهَنَّمَ دٰخِرِيْنَ }» [ المؤمن : ۶۰ ] "And your Lord said: Call upon Me (supplicate to Me), I will respond to your supplication. Surely those who are arrogant regarding My worship will soon enter Hell humiliated." Such narrations are mentioned by Sufi people to promote their self-invented practices and retreats and to deprive people of supplication.

➋ Some commentators have said that after the supplication for correct belief, safety, and provision of food and drink for the people of Makkah, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) presented the state that he and his wife were experiencing at the time of separation from Hajar and Isma'il (peace be upon them), which was passing over both husband and wife due to tears in the eyes or restlessness of the heart, but not a single word of complaint came to his tongue. This patience is only found in the Prophets and their families.

38. 1. The meaning is that You fully know the purpose of my supplication; the real aim of praying for this city is Your pleasure, and You are well aware of the reality of everything; nothing in the heavens and the earth is hidden from You.

The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).