That they keep up prayer...

That they keep up prayer; therefore make the hearts of some people yearn towards them and provide them with fruits; haply they may be grateful." (Sura Ibrahim, 14:37) The holy verse points to the fact that Ibrahim (a.s.) had settled some of his progeny, that is Isma'il (a.s.) in the area of Mecca and he also prayed that the Almighty Allah may bestow them with His Mercy and that they remain the medium of guidance for humanity till the end of time.

The Almighty accepted his invocation by appointing Muhammad (S) from his progeny, and after him his twelve successors as the leaders of humanity for the time to come. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) says: "We are the remnant of progeny. And that was the prayer of Ibrahim (a.s.) regarding us." [^1]: Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh, 6:249 and 250. [^2]: Genesis 17. [^3]: Al Mu'jam al-Hadith. [^4]: Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh , 1:24-25 (Printed at Qum). Previous…