2 supplications
Duas of Prophet Sulayman (Solomon)
Sulayman was given what no one else was given: authority over the wind and the jinn, the language of the birds and the ants, and a great kingdom. Yet when he heard an ant speak, his first reaction was to smile and to ask Allah for gratitude. His duas teach how to receive blessings without pride.
For gratitude and righteous deeds
رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
Rabbi awzi‘ni an ashkura ni‘matakal-lati an‘amta ‘alayya wa ‘ala walidayya wa an a‘mala salihan tardahu, wa adkhilni bi-rahmatika fi ‘ibadikas-salihin.
My Lord, inspire me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and to do righteous deeds that please You, and admit me by Your mercy among Your righteous servants.
Source: Qur’an 27:19
For forgiveness and a unique kingdom
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ
Rabbighfir li wa hab li mulkan la yanbaghi li-ahadin min ba‘di, innaka antal-wahhab.
My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom that will belong to no one after me. You are the Bestower.
Source: Qur’an 38:35
The story behind the du‘a
Sulayman was marching with his army of men, jinn and birds when they reached the valley of the ants. An ant warned the others to enter their homes lest Sulayman and his soldiers crush them without noticing. Sulayman heard it, smiled and laughed at her words, and said: “My Lord, inspire me to be grateful for Your favour…” (27:19).
Instead of pride at his power, his response was gratitude, mercy towards the weakest creatures and a request to do good deeds. His other du‘a, for forgiveness and a kingdom like no other (38:35), begins with forgiveness before asking for worldly power, showing what came first in his heart.
Using the du‘a of gratitude
Scholars recommend “Rabbi awzi‘ni” on receiving a blessing: a new job, a child, a success. It asks not only to feel grateful but to be enabled to show gratitude in deeds, and it includes the parents, whose prayers and efforts are part of every blessing. Similar words are said at the age of forty in 46:15.
Gratitude as a test
When the throne of the Queen of Sheba was brought to him in the blink of an eye, Sulayman said: “This is from the favour of my Lord, to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. Whoever is grateful is grateful for his own good” (27:40). For him, every blessing was a test of gratitude, not a proof of merit.
Scholars describe gratitude as having three parts: acknowledging the blessing in the heart, praising the Giver with the tongue, and using the blessing in what pleases Him. The du‘a “Rabbi awzi‘ni” asks for all three, which is why it is so complete.
Putting these duas into practice
- Say “Rabbi awzi‘ni” on receiving any blessing.
- Thank your parents as part of thanking Allah.
- Show mercy to animals and the weak, as Sulayman did with the ant.
- Begin every request for worldly good with asking forgiveness.
- Use wealth and authority in what pleases Allah.
Duas of Prophet Sulayman (Solomon): questions and answers
Can I ask Allah for a kingdom or great wealth?
It is permitted to ask for good in this world, as long as one asks for forgiveness and good in the Hereafter too, and uses wealth in obedience.