اللَّهُمَّ عَلِّمْنِي الْحِكْمَةَ، وَفَهِّمْنِي السُّنَّةَ، وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا
O Allah, teach me wisdom, and make me understand the Sunnah, and increase me in knowledge.
Allahumma 'allimni al-hikmata, wa fahhimni as-sunnata, wa zidni 'ilman
When to Read
This is a beautiful dua that can be made for children at any time, but it's especially powerful after Fajr, or when sitting down to study or read. You can teach it to your children directly and encourage them to recite it before they begin their learning activities, whether it's schoolwork, reading a book, or even listening to a lecture.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction, directing your supplication towards Allah. It's best to make this dua yourself for your children, or teach them to recite it in their own words, touching their heart and mind. You can also blow gently over their heads after reciting, seeking Allah's blessings upon them.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking knowledge is a highly encouraged act in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'Whoever treads a path in seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.' (Sahih Muslim 2699). This dua specifically asks for wisdom and understanding of the Sunnah, which are crucial elements for applying knowledge correctly. By asking Allah to increase knowledge, we are tapping into the divine source of all wisdom, hoping to instill a genuine love for learning in our children.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'O Allah, teach him wisdom.' It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'O Allah, teach him the Book (meaning the Quran)'. It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'O Allah, teach him the Sunnah'. Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) took hold of my shoulder and said: 'O Allah, teach him the Book (i.e., the Quran).' And it was narrated from Yahya: 'And increase him in knowledge.' [Ibn Majah said:] Yahya bin Yahya told us, from Abu Mu'awiyah, from Mu'awiyah bin Salih, from 'Abdullah bin Abi Qatadah, from his father, that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'O Allah, teach him wisdom.' Ibn Majah said: Abu al-Hasan Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Jawhari told us, from Ali bin al-Madini, from Yahya bin Sa'id, from Sufyan, from Abu al-Zinad, from al-A'raj, from Abu Hurairah, that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'O Allah, make me understand the religion and teach me the interpretation (of the Quran)'. [This version is based on the understanding of the request focusing on general learning and reading, so the specific dua taught to Ibn 'Abbas (RA) by the Prophet ﷺ is the most fitting. The version from Sunan Ibn Majah 254 is commonly used for seeking knowledge and understanding.]