Grant Us from Yourself Mercy — You Are the Giver — A King's Prayer That Acknowledges No Ownership
tadabbur
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tawhid
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وَهَبۡ لِي مُلۡكٗا لَّا يَنۢبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّنۢ بَعۡدِيٓ
— ص 35
Verse: "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom that does not befit anyone after me — You are the Giver." (38:35) — Solomon ﷺ prays for a unique kingdom — not from arrogance but to be a clear divine sign. "Does not befit anyone after me" = because his kingdom was a miracle beyond human nature. "You are the Giver" (Al-Wahhab) — who gives without exchange. Solomon's prayer is a model: ask Allah explicitly for what you want while acknowledging all giving is from Allah alone. Lesson: do not be shy asking Allah for much — "Al-Wahhab" was named to give.
Source: Ibn Kathir (7/53); Al-Sadi
Question: Why did Solomon ask for a kingdom not befitting anyone after him? Was it arrogance?
Answer: No — he asked for it to be a clear divine sign of Allah's power and subjugation of creation — a miracle beyond human nature.