اللَّهُمَّ عَلِّمْنِي الْحِكْمَةَ، وَأَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ، وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ، وَأَدْخِلْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
O Allah, grant me wisdom, and enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteous deeds that please You. And admit me by Your mercy into Your righteous servants.
Allahumma 'allimni al-hikmata, wa awzi'ni an ashkura ni'matakal-lati an'amta 'alayya wa 'ala walidayya, wa an a'mala salihan tardahu, wa adkhilni bi rahmatika fi 'ibadik as-salihin.
When to Read
This dua is particularly relevant when you are seeking knowledge, guidance, or a meeting with someone who embodies righteousness and wisdom, be it a scholar or even with the intention of learning from the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It's a prayer for inner wisdom and the ability to act upon it, which naturally leads one to seek environments and individuals that foster such growth. Recite it before embarking on a journey to meet a scholar, during times of study, or whenever you feel a need for deeper understanding and righteous companionship.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a focused heart, ideally after your obligatory prayers or during the times when supplications are readily accepted, such as the last third of the night or between the Adhan and Iqamah. Visualize seeking Allah's aid in acquiring wisdom and the ability to recognize and follow the path of the righteous. It's crucial to couple this dua with sincere effort in seeking knowledge and good company, as Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves (Ar-Ra'd 13:11).
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua encompasses seeking divine wisdom ('hikmah'), the ability to express gratitude for blessings, the capacity to perform deeds that earn Allah's pleasure, and the ultimate aspiration of being counted among the righteous servants of Allah. By asking for wisdom and the strength to act upon it, one is indirectly praying for the ability to discern truth from falsehood, to seek beneficial knowledge, and to associate with those who embody Islamic teachings. This aligns perfectly with the pursuit of meeting righteous individuals, as their company often serves as a catalyst for spiritual and intellectual growth. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself emphasized the importance of seeking beneficial knowledge and the company of those who possess it.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) as part of a longer supplication to be recited after Fajr prayer. The fuller narration encourages reciting the following thrice after Fajr: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman naafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan.' (O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, good provision, and acceptable deeds.) Following this, he taught the dua mentioned above: 'Allahumma 'allimni al-hikmata...' (O Allah, grant me wisdom...)