اللَّهُمَّ عَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي، وَانْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي، وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا
O Allah, teach me what is beneficial for me, and make beneficial for me what You have taught me, and increase me in knowledge.
Allahumma 'allimni ma yanfa'uni, wa-nfa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa zidni 'ilman
When to Read
This dua is particularly potent when recited on a Friday, a day blessed with special significance in Islam. You can make this dua after your Fajr (dawn) prayer, or after listening to a Friday khutbah (sermon), or at any point during the blessed day when you seek deeper comprehension of the Sunnah and the Quran. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would often seek knowledge and understanding, and Friday is an excellent time to align ourselves with that pursuit.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and focus. Raise your hands in supplication as you would for other duas. Believe in the power of Allah to grant you clarity and understanding. It's beneficial to have the intention in your heart that this knowledge will be used to benefit yourself and others, in accordance with the teachings of Islam. Reflect on the meaning of the words as you say them.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua encapsulates the essence of seeking beneficial knowledge. By asking Allah to teach us what benefits us, we are asking Him to guide us to useful understanding, not just any knowledge. Then, asking Him to make that knowledge beneficial means we are seeking its practical application and positive impact in our lives. Finally, asking for an increase in knowledge acknowledges that the pursuit of understanding is a lifelong journey. Applying this on a Friday taps into the special blessings of the day, which is a time for reflection, seeking forgiveness, and drawing closer to Allah.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to say: 'Allahumma 'allimni ma yanfa'uni, wa-nfa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa zidni 'ilman.' (Sunan Ibn Majah 251)