Supplications of Sura Baqara and Al Imran

Question

Which Quranic chapter contains the most prayers? What are those prayers?

The Quran recounts prayers in various contexts and from the lips of different individuals. Among its chapters, Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Al-Imran contain the highest number of prayers. These prayers seek divine mercy, forgiveness, patience, sustenance, righteous offspring, protection from Hellfire, and more.

Prayers in Surah Al-Baqarah

Verse 126: ﴾وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُم بِاللَّـهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ؛ And [remember] when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this city [Makkah] secure and provide its people with fruits—those among them who believe in Allah and the Last Day."﴿

In this verse, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) makes two pivotal requests for the inhabitants of this sacred land: **security** and **economic prosperity**. His prioritization of security before sustenance underscores that a thriving economy is impossible without societal stability.

Verse 127: ﴾وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ؛ And as Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House [Kaaba], they prayed, "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing."﴿

Rather than boasting about their service, Ishmael (AS) and Ibrahim (AS) humbly sought Allah’s acceptance, acknowledging His omniscience. Their prayer translates to: *"O Allah, accept this humble act from us—You who hear all and know our intentions."*

Verses 128–129: ﴾رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ۝رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ؛ [They prayed:] "Our Lord, make us submissive to You, and from our descendants a nation submissive to You. Show us our rites [of worship], and accept our repentance—for You are the Accepter of Repentance, the Merciful. Our Lord, raise among them a messenger from them to recite Your verses..."﴿

This comprehensive prayer encapsulates five requests, reflecting the prophets’ profound spiritual vision: 1. **Submission to Allah** for themselves and their descendants. 2. **Divine guidance** in worship practices. 3. **Acceptance of repentance**. 4. **A prophetic messenger** to guide future generations.

Verse 201: ﴾وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ؛ And among them are those who say, "Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire."﴿

This verse contrasts two groups: materialists who seek only worldly gains (Verse 200), and the righteous who balance temporal and eternal blessings. The latter’s prayer exemplifies holistic devotion.

Verse 250: ﴾قَالُوا رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ؛ They said, "Our Lord, pour upon us patience, steady our feet, and grant us victory over the disbelieving people."﴿

Facing Goliath’s army, the believers sought: 1. **Unwavering patience**. 2. **Steadfastness in battle**. 3. **Victory over oppression**—the ultimate goal of jihad.

Verse 286: ﴾رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ ۖ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَانَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ؛ "Our Lord, do not punish us if we forget or err. Burden us not as You burdened those before us. Overwhelm us not beyond our capacity. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us—You are our Protector, so grant us victory over the disbelievers."﴿

This seven-fold prayer, rooted in Quranic principles (e.g., "Allah burdens no soul beyond its capacity," Verse 286), covers worldly and spiritual needs, seeking divine mercy and societal triumph.

Prayers in Surah Al-Imran

Surah Al-Imran contains **16 prayers**.

Verse 8: ﴾رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ؛ "Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us. Grant us Your mercy—for You are the Bestower."﴿

The People of Firm Knowledge seek steadfastness after affirming Quranic truths (Verse 7).

Verse 16: ﴾الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ؛ Those who say, "Our Lord, we believe, so forgive our sins and shield us from Hell’s punishment."﴿

This prayer follows Allah’s description of Paradise (Verse 15), where the pious seek fulfillment of His promise: *"Believe in Him, and He will forgive you"* (Quran 46:31).

Verse 35: ﴾إِذْ قَالَتِ امْرَأَتُ عِمْرَانَ رَبِّ إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لَكَ مَا فِي بَطْنِي مُحَرَّرًا فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ؛ [Recall] when the wife of Imran said, "My Lord, I dedicate what is in my womb to You, so accept it. You are the All-Hearing, All-Knowing."﴿

Her vow emphasizes sincerity, invoking Allah’s attributes to affirm her devotion.

Verse 38: {{Quran|هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ |translation=Thereupon Zechariah prayed, "My Lord, grant me righteous offspring from Yourself—for You hear all prayers."

Inspired by Maryam’s sanctity, Prophet Zakariya (AS) sought a child like Yahya, who embodied similar virtues.

Verse 53: ﴾رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ؛ "Our Lord, we believe in what You revealed, and we follow the Messenger, so enroll us among the witnesses [to truth]."﴿

Verse 147: ﴾رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ؛ "Our Lord, forgive our sins, our excesses, steady our steps, and grant us victory over disbelievers."﴿

This prayer by warriors (preceded by Verse 146 on resilience) merges repentance with a plea for triumph.

Closing Verses of Surah Al-Imran (190–200): These "**celestial melodies**" blend theology with heartfelt supplications: - **Verse 191**: ﴾رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ؛ "Our Lord, You did not create this universe in vain. Glory to You! Protect us from Hellfire."﴿ - **Verse 193**: ﴾رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلْإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا ۖ رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِ؛ "Our Lord, we heeded the caller to faith. Forgive our sins, absolve our misdeeds, and let us die with the righteous."﴿ - **Verse 194**: ﴾رَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ؛ "Our Lord, grant us what You promised through Your messengers, and do not disgrace us on Judgment Day—for You never break promises."﴿

Allah affirms: *"He will never waste the reward of the believers"* (Verse 195).

Other Notable Chapters

- **Surah Al-A’raf**: 10 prayers (Verses 23, 43, 47, 89, 126, 143, 151, 155, 156, 196). - **Surah Al-Mu’minun**: 8 prayers (Verses 28, 29, 93, 94, 97, 98, 109, 118). - **Surah Ibrahim**: 6 prayers (Verses 35–41).

Further Reading

- *Quranic Prayers*, Dr. Mohibullah Azadeh, 2nd ed., 1371 AH, Islamic Publications, Tehran. - *The Best of Supplications*, Ismail Ashtiani, Ilmiyya Islamiyya Bookstore, Tehran.