The Quran preserves the supplications the prophets made for their families: Zakariya's plea for a child, Ibrahim's prayer for righteous descendants, the du'a of the worshippers for spouses who are the comfort of their eyes.
Rabbi la tadharni fardan, wa anta khayru-l-warithin.
“My Lord, do not leave me alone, and You are the best of inheritors.”
Zakariya's du'a for a child, after years of waiting. A du'a for anything you've been hoping for too long.
Rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa dhurriyyatina qurrata a'yun, wa-j'alna li-l-muttaqina imama.
“Our Lord, grant us from our spouses and offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the God-conscious.”
A Qur'anic prayer for spouses and children who bring deep joy through faith and good character, and for a family whose example helps others become mindful of Allah (SWT).
Rabbi awzi'ni an ashkura ni'mataka-llati an'amta 'alayya wa 'ala walidayy, wa an a'mala salihan tardahu, wa aslih li fi dhurriyyati, inni tubtu ilayka wa inni mina-l-muslimin.
“My Lord, inspire me to be grateful for the favour You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and to do righteousness of which You approve, and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have turned to You, and I am among the Muslims.”
The du'a of one reaching maturity (forty). A complete prayer for gratitude, parents, good deeds, and children who will carry the good forward.
Rabbi-j'alni muqima-s-salah, wa min dhurriyyati. Rabbana wa taqabbal du'a'.
“My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.”
Ibrahim (AS), decades into his mission, still asking for prayer to be established in his line. The quiet prayer every parent should have on their lips.
Rabbi hab li min ladunka dhurriyyatan tayyibah, innaka sami'u-d-du'a.
“My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.”
The prayer of Zakariya (AS) for a good and righteous child. It is a fitting Du'a for anyone asking Allah (SWT) for children or praying for the goodness of future offspring.
Rabbi-rhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira.
“My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.”
A tender Quranic prayer for both parents, asking Allah (SWT) to show them mercy in recognition of the care they gave when you were small.
Rabbana-ghfir li wa liwalidayya wa lil-mu'minina yawma yaqumu-l-hisab.
“Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.”
The prayer of Ibrahim (AS) for forgiveness, beginning with himself, then his parents, then every believer on the Day of Account.
A'udhu bi-kalimati-llahi-t-tammah, min kulli shaytanin wa hammah, wa min kulli 'aynin lammah.
“I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and every poisonous creature, and from every evil eye.”
The Prophet ﷺ sought refuge for his grandsons al-Hasan and al-Husayn with these words, and said that Ibrahim (AS) sought refuge with them for Isma'il and Ishaq (AS).