اللَّهُمَّ عَلِّمْهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَاصْرِفْهُ عَنْهُ ٱلْجَهْلَ وَٱلْغَىْ، وَرُزْقَهُ ٱلْفِقْهَ فِي ٱلدِّينِ، وَعَلِّمْهُ ٱلتَّأْوِيلَ. وَعَلِّمْهُ ٱلرَّمْىَ، فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ سَلَاحِ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ.
O Allah, teach him the Book and wisdom, and turn away from him ignorance and misguidance, and grant him understanding in religion, and teach him its interpretation. And teach him archery, for indeed it is from the weapons of the Muslims.
*Allahumma 'allimhu al-kitaba wal-hikmata wasrifhu 'anhu al-jahla wal-ghayy, wa-rzquhu al-fiqha fid-dini, wa-'allimhu at-ta'weel. Wa-'allimhu ar-ramya, fa-innahu min silahil-muslimeen.*
When to Read
This dua is best recited when your child is young, perhaps during moments of supplication after prayers, or when you are teaching them valuable skills. It is also appropriate to make this dua when a child is beginning to learn archery or any form of martial training that is for self-defense and protection.
How to Read
Make this dua with sincere intention, facing the Qiblah if possible. Place your hand on your child's head or shoulder as you supplicate. Recite it with clear pronunciation, ensuring you understand the meaning. It is also beneficial to explain to your child why learning skills like archery and understanding religion is important for their life and for the protection of the Ummah.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking Allah's help for your child to gain proficiency in archery is a way of equipping them with a skill that has historically been a means of defense and strength for Muslims. By asking Allah to teach them, you are essentially asking for His divine guidance and support in their learning process. This dua also encompasses seeking knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah (the Book and wisdom), and understanding religion (Fiqh and Ta'weel), ensuring that their skills are balanced with piety and correct understanding. It highlights that such skills are to be used as 'weapons of the Muslims,' implying their use for just causes and protection, not aggression.
Source & Authentication
The narration states that Allah taught Ibrahim (peace be upon him) the Book and wisdom, and commanded him to teach his son Ismail (peace be upon him) the Book and wisdom, and to teach him archery. It is mentioned that archery is a form of weapon for the Muslims.