اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا، وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, good provision, and deeds that are accepted.
Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan
When to Read
This dua is particularly poignant when recited after the Maghrib (evening) prayer. As the sun sets and the day transitions into night, it's a natural moment for reflection on our actions, our blessings, and our intentions. Take a moment to pause after finishing your prayer, feel the quietude of the evening descending, and turn your heart to Allah with this supplication.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and concentration after you've completed the obligatory Maghrib prayer. You can recite it once or three times, as is the general sunnah for many duas. Raise your hands in supplication as you would for other duas, or place your hands on your lap and make the dua. Focus on the meaning: asking for knowledge that benefits, sustenance that is pure, and deeds that are truly accepted by our Creator.
Virtues & Benefits
This beautiful dua encapsulates the essence of a balanced life in Islam, seeking spiritual, material, and practical well-being. Beneficial knowledge allows us to worship Allah correctly and live according to His guidance. Good provision ensures we can sustain ourselves and our families without resorting to unlawful means, and it is a means of drawing closer to Allah when it is spent in His obedience. Accepted deeds are those performed with the correct intention (ikhlas) and in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and these are what truly weigh heavy on the scale of good deeds in the Hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ used to say this dua after the 'Asr prayer, and it's excellent to make it a habit after Maghrib as well, as it encapsulates a comprehensive request for well-being in this life and the next.
Source & Authentication
An-Nawwas bin Sam'an (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: 'For the one who is put to trial by allegiance to anyone other than Allah, the plea for protection from Allah is that he should say: 'I seek refuge in Allah's perfect words from the evil of what He created.' (This is a different dua, but the context is about seeking refuge). A similar narration regarding asking Allah for beneficial things is found where the Prophet ﷺ taught his companions what to say after Fajr prayer. The specific dua 'Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan' is reported to have been said by the Prophet ﷺ after the Fajr prayer. (Sahih Muslim 753). It is also reported that he would say it after the 'Asr prayer. The act of seeking these three things is profoundly beneficial, and adopting them after Maghrib prayer, a time of reflection and transition, is a beautiful practice.