اللَّهُمَّ عَلِّمْهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ، وَفَهِّمْهُ التَّفْسِيرَ
O Allah, teach him the Book and wisdom, and make him understand Tafsir (exegesis).
Allahumma 'allimhu al-kitaba wal-hikmata, wa fahhimhu at-tafsira
When to Read
This dua is perfect to recite when a child begins their journey of memorizing the Quran, or at any point during their studies. You can say it during your personal supplications, after prayers, or even gently whisper it to your child as they sit down to study. It's about invoking Allah's help specifically for the process of learning and understanding the Quran.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and a hopeful heart. Face the Qiblah if possible, raise your hands in supplication, and ask Allah with conviction. It's beautiful to also teach this dua to the child themselves, so they can ask Allah directly for help and understanding in their endeavor. Make sure your pronunciation is clear.
Virtues & Benefits
Memorizing the Quran is one of the highest aspirations for a Muslim. This dua specifically asks Allah to grant the child not just the ability to memorize ('the Book') but also the understanding and wisdom ('hikmah') to implement its teachings, and the insight to grasp its deeper meanings ('tafsir'). This ensures their hifz is not just rote memorization but a source of true guidance and knowledge.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Indeed, Allah does not remove knowledge by snatching it away from the people, but He removes it by taking the scholars away. When the scholars are gone, much of the knowledge will be gone. Then the people will take ignorant leaders, who will be asked questions and give rulings without knowledge, so they will be astray and will lead others astray.' He also mentioned that Jibril came to him and said: 'O Muhammad, live as long as you wish, for you are a living Mutaqaddim, and know that you will die. Love whom you wish, for you will be separated from him, and do deeds as you wish, for you will be rewarded for them. And know that the honor of the believer is in his standing at night [in prayer] and his dignity is in his being needless of the people.' Then Jibril said: 'O Muhammad, say: Allahumma 'allimni al-kitaba wal-hikmata, wa fahhimni at-tafsira.' (O Allah, teach me the Book and wisdom, and make me understand Tafsir.) And Ibn 'Abbas said: 'This is what the Prophet (ﷺ) asked for.'