only wish is to be your neighbour in Paradise.” In response, the final Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم declared, فَاَعِنِّي عَلَى نَفْسِكَ بِكَثْرَةِ السُّجُود – “Then, help me upon yourself with an abundance of prostration!”^[1]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                     صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Our Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has choice and authority

Dear Islamic brothers! This amazing narration teaches us numerous lessons. We learn that our Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was granted choice and authority by Allah. He has been granted authority to bestow whatever he wills, to whomever he wills, whenever he wills, and in whichever way he wills.

This is why he said to RabīꜤa رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, سَلْ “Ask", openly and without restriction. In other words, it is like he announced:

O RabīꜤa! There are no constraints. Ask me for the world, the Hereafter, wealth, prosperity, a long life, happiness, honour, rank, Paradise, and for closeness to Allah. Whatever you ask shall be granted.

Certainly, only someone with boundless authority can make such an open offer. Since our Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم presented this offer to RabīꜤa, it is evidence that Allah has blessed him with this choice and authority. He has the discretion to grant anything to anyone, at any time, and in any manner he chooses.

What can we ask from him?

Dear Islamic brothers! Another lesson we learn from this narration of