اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا، وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision, and acceptable deeds.
Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman naafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan
When to Read
This dua is recommended to be recited after Fajr prayer, but its comprehensive nature makes it suitable for seeking Allah's assistance at any time, including when starting or facing challenges with evening tasks. Imagine you're preparing for your evening responsibilities, perhaps studying, working late, or attending to family matters, and you feel a need for divine support to ensure it's done well and accepted by Allah.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and focus, raising your hands slightly if you feel comfortable doing so. Understand that 'beneficial knowledge' helps you navigate your tasks effectively, 'goodly provision' means sustenance that is pure and sufficient for your needs (whether material or spiritual), and 'acceptable deeds' ensures that your efforts are pleasing to Allah and contribute positively. Make sure to pronounce the Arabic clearly.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates seeking the best in three crucial areas: knowledge that benefits you and others, provision that is pure and lawful, and deeds that are accepted by Allah. When facing tasks, especially in the evening when energy might be lower, asking for these three things ensures that your efforts are purposeful, well-provided for, and ultimately pleasing to our Creator. Imam An-Nawawi mentioned the virtue of asking Allah for these things in the morning, emphasizing that a deed done after such a supplication is more likely to be accepted. (See Sharh Sahih Muslim by An-Nawawi)
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Umm Salamah that whenever the Prophet ﷺ finished the morning prayer, he would say: 'O Allah, I ask You for knowledge that is useful, and provision that is good and deeds that are acceptable.'