52. "My Lord, make this city a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." (2:126). Who prayed this dua? Name the city.

بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِٱلرَّحِيمِ

Answer: Ibrahim (AS) & The city is Mecca.

As Ibrahim (AS) was calling people, towards Allah, Allah brought Ibrahim (21:71) to the land (Makkah) which He blessed for mankind. At that time the blessed land was barren without any water. There was no sign of life. “Verily the first House of worship established for humanity is the one at Bakkah (i.e. Makka)—a blessed sanctuary and a guide for mankind.” (3:96). There are several opinions of scholars about this verse.  Allah made Makkah a sacred area before He created the heavens and earth. Adam (AS) first built Kaba, which in course of time have been destroyed. Probably Allah might have informed about this place to Ibrahim (AS).

The following is the brief account of the hadhees of Ibn Abbas (RA) as it is recorded in Al-Bukhari. “He left Bi Bi Hajar and his only son Ismail (AS) in that barren land by Allah’s command. He felt very much for them and prayed. "O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may perform As-Salat, so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks" (14:37).

When the water was over, Bi Bi Hajar ran desparately in between the mount Safa and mount Marwa, in search of water. Allah helped her by sending the angel Jibreel (AS). The angel hit the ground and Allah made Zam Zam to flow. To prevent the flow, she gathered sand around it, in the form of a well Ibn `Abbas said that the Prophet then said, "May Allah grant His mercy to the mother of Ismail (AS), had she left the water, (flow naturally without her intervention), it would have been flowing on the surface of the earth.''

Ibn `Abbas said that the Prophet then said, "May Allah grant His mercy to the mother of Isma`il, had she left the water, (flow naturally without her intervention), it would have been flowing on the surface of the earth.''  Jibreel (AS) said to her, `Do not fear abandonment. There shall be a House for Allah built here by this boy and his father. Allah does not abandon His people.' When Allah blessed the land with Zam Zam, birds visited that place. Seeing the birds, a caravan came there and and with the permission of Bi Bi Hajar, they settled along with them.

Allah commanded Ibrahim (AS) to build a House, a pilgrimage for men and a place of security. He further told them to purify His House for those who visit it, those who stay there to worship and those who bow down and those who prostrate. Ismail (AS) brought stones and Ibrahim (AS) raised the foundations. As they were building bit by bit, they were praying, “O our Lord accept this service from us.  Verily You are the hearer and knower” (2:127).

 After raising the House, Ibrahim (AS) prayed this dua, "My Lord, make this city a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." (2:126). Knowing that life in the barren valley is hard, no proper cultivation of fruits, Ibrahim (AS) called his Creator and Care taker to give provision for them. When Ibrahim (AS) prayed the above said dua to Allah, He answered: "As for him who disbelieves, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the punishment of the Fire, and worst indeed is that destination!" (2:126).

Allah has been fulfilling this dua. He said, “We made the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety. And the Maqam of Ibrahim (AS) as a place of prayer." (2:125).  Allah accepted Ibrahim (AS)'s supplication, as He said in surah Al Qasas, in the 57 th ayath: "Have We not established for them a secure sanctuary (Makkah), to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves but most of them know not. (28:57). He also said in Surah Ala Imran and in Surah Ankabooth, "Whosoever enters it, he attains security, (3:97) and Have they not seen that We have made (Makkah) a secure sanctuary, while men are being snatched away from all around them. (29:67)

Yes! World has been witnessing even now how Allah ﷻ accepted the dua of His friend - Ibrahim (Khaleelullah) by making the city Makkah secure, till now (and even till Resurrection Day), providing with all kinds fruits from the whole world throughout the year. It is an indication of Allah’s compassion, mercy, kindness and blessings to the holy sactuary.

Allah has guided Muslims to a Straight Path, through Muhammad  ﷺ towards the religion of Ibrahim (AS) (6:161). Like Ibrahim (AS), who has been an excellent example for us (60:4), we can invoke Allah, He will respond to our (invocation). (40:60).

الحمدلله