Prophet of Islam (s) asking God to appoint a successor
Did the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) ask God to appoint a successor?
The story of Prophet Moses (AS) in Surah Ta-Ha, verse 24, recounts how he prayed and pleaded with God to appoint his brother Aaron as his successor and helper. His plea was granted, and Aaron attained the position of vicegerency and ministry under Moses. Regarding the Noble Messenger of Islam (PBUH), there are narrations that indicate he also prayed for the succession of Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) and that his request was accepted.
The Prophet’s Supplication in the Incident of the Ring-Giving
Sayyid Ibn Tawus reports the Prophet’s (PBUH) supplication for the succession of Amir al-Mu’minin (AS) in the occasion of revelation of the verse: *"Your guardian is only Allah, and His Messenger..."*, quoting al-Tha'labi in his commentary through several chains of transmission. Among them is a narration from Abdullah ibn Abbas on the authority of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari who said:
“O people, be aware that one day I was praying the noon prayer with the Messenger of God (PBUH). A beggar came to the mosque asking for money, but no one gave him anything. The beggar raised his hands toward the sky and said: 'O God, bear witness that I asked in the mosque of Your Messenger, and no one gave me anything.' At that moment, while the beggar was complaining, Ali (AS), who was in the state of bowing (ruku'), pointed with his little finger of the right hand. The beggar approached and took the ring off his finger. The Messenger of God witnessed all of this. When he finished his prayer, he raised his head toward the sky and said:
'O Lord! Moses asked You to expand his chest, make his task easy, untie the knot from his tongue so that people might understand his speech, and he also asked You to appoint Aaron, his brother, as his minister, to strengthen his back with him, and make him a partner in his mission. And You responded to him in Your clear book: *“We will strengthen your arm through your brother and give you both such authority that they shall not be able to touch you.”*
O Lord! I am Muhammad, Your Prophet and chosen one. O Lord, expand my chest too, make my task easy, and from my family appoint Ali as my minister; strengthen my back with him.'
Then Abu Dharr said: The Prophet had not even finished his prayer when Gabriel descended from the Almighty and said: ‘O Muhammad, recite!’ He asked: ‘What should I recite?’ Abu Dharr said: Gabriel told him to recite the verse:
﴾إِنَّمَا وَلِیُّکمُ اللّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِینَ آمَنُواْ الَّذِینَ یُقِیمُونَ الصَّلاَه وَیُؤْتُونَ الزَّکاه وَهُمْ رَاکعُونَ﴿[1]
- Your guardian is only Allah, and His Messenger, and those who believe—those who establish prayer and give alms while they are bowing in prayer.*
This hadith has been narrated in various wordings and versions. What we quoted from Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) is the most detailed and complete version.
The Prophet’s (PBUH) Supplication for the Healing of Amir al-Mu’minin (AS)
Sulaym ibn Qays narrates from Miqdad ibn Aswad, in response to a question from Sulaym about Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS), that he said:
We would accompany the Messenger of God (PBUH) on journeys… and Ali (AS) would serve the Prophet, who had no other servant besides Ali. He continues: At night, the Prophet (PBUH) would rise and perform night prayers. One night, Ali (AS) developed a high fever so intense that it kept him awake until morning. The Prophet (PBUH) also stayed awake all night due to Ali’s discomfort—sometimes praying and sometimes coming to Ali, comforting and tending to him.
When dawn broke and the Prophet (PBUH) prayed the morning prayer with his companions, he supplicated:
“اللّهم اشف علیا و عافه فانّه قد اسهرنی ممّا به من الوجع”
- O Allah, grant Ali healing and wellness, for his pain kept me awake all night.*
After this supplication, Ali (AS) recovered so quickly, it was as though a knot had been untied from a rope. The Prophet (PBUH) then said to him: *“Rejoice, O my brother.”* All the companions who were present heard this.
Ali (AS) said: *“O Messenger of God, may Allah give you glad tidings of goodness and make me your ransom.”* The Messenger of God (PBUH) replied:
- “I have never asked anything from God for myself except that He has granted it, and I have never asked anything for myself without also asking the same for you. I asked God to appoint you as my successor, my heir, and the repository of my knowledge—and He accepted. I also asked Him to make your position to me like Aaron’s to Moses, to strengthen my back with you, and to make you a partner in my mission. God accepted my request—except for Prophethood, for I am the Seal of the Prophets, and no prophet will come after me.”*
- “I am content with all the blessings and excellences that God has granted you—succession, brotherhood, inheritance, ministry, leadership, and guardianship—and with His withholding of the position of Prophethood.”[2]