Is it permissible to supplicate that Allah Almighty may favor or choose a person, as in supplicating for oneself to be so favored? And is it permissible to ask one's Lord, the Almighty, to make one among those about whom He said: "Those are the ones whose honor I have planted with My Own Hand and sealed upon it, so no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived"? And is it permissible to generally ask for chosenness (istifa') in matters of religion, such as to be made the best of scholars, or preachers, or mujahidin, or the pious, or those beloved to Allah Almighty?

It is prescribed for a Muslim to be ambitious in supplication and to ask Allah for the highest ranks in this world and the Hereafter, as long as their request is not impossible. Thus, one should ask Allah for Al-Firdaws Al-A‘la (the highest paradise), complete submission to Allah, and to be foremost in good deeds. This is based on the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) saying: "When you ask Allah for Paradise, ask Him for Al-Firdaws, for it is the highest part of Paradise." And based on his saying: "If one of you wishes, let him wish for much, for he is only asking his Lord." Among the supplications of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was: "O Allah, aid me and do not aid against me..."