اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّى أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, good provision, and acceptable deeds.
Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman naafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan
When to Read
This dua is highly relevant when commencing any form of council, consultation (shura), meeting, or important discussion. It's a beautiful way to invoke Allah's blessings at the very beginning, asking for guidance and success in the proceedings.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely with attention to its meaning. It should be said at the start of the gathering, ideally before any substantive discussion begins. Raising your hands slightly while making the dua is part of the Sunnah for supplication, though it's not strictly mandatory for every single dua. Focus on the intention: seeking Allah's help to ensure the outcome of the consultation is beneficial and pleasing to Him.
Virtues & Benefits
This profound dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself, seeks three essential things: beneficial knowledge ('ilman naafi'an) that leads to good and corrects errors; good provision (rizqan tayyiban) that is lawful and wholesome; and acceptable deeds ('amalan mutaqabbalan) which are performed correctly and sincerely for Allah's sake. When recited at the start of a council, it sets the tone for seeking divine assistance in making wise decisions, ensuring fairness, and achieving outcomes that are good for all involved and pleasing to Allah. It helps to purify intentions and seek Allah's barakah in the collective effort.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'When the morning came, the Prophet ﷺ stood up and addressed us. He asked: 'O people, betrayal is not permissible. So, whoever took a vow from us to betray, he is not of us, and we are not of him. That is like this father of yours who took a vow to his father to free him, so he was freed.' Then he said: 'O people, indeed I am a human being, and the Messenger of Allah has called me to his abode and I am responding. I am leaving you with two things: the Book of Allah, in which is guidance and light. So, follow it and hold fast to it.' He then encouraged us to adhere to the Book of Allah and reiterated its importance. He also said: 'And the Sunnah of my Sunnah. And the people of my Ummah will not go astray if they hold to them both.' Then he said: 'O people, listen to me and obey me, even if a Habashi slave is appointed over you. Indeed, he among you who lives after me will see much disagreement. So, beware of newly invented matters, for they are straying. Whoever among you reaches that time should follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Khulafa Ar-Rashidin (the rightly-guided caliphs), clinging to them with your molars. Beware of newly invented matters, for every invented matter is an innovation (bid'ah), and every innovation is misguidance.' Then he said: 'I did not leave anything that would bring you closer to Allah except that I have already commanded you with it, and I did not leave anything that would draw you further away from Allah except that I have already warned you against it.' When he finished speaking, he said: 'I ask Allah, the Mighty, the Strong, for the perfection of guidance and the best endeavor.' And he would say: 'O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, good provision, and acceptable deeds.' (Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 1, Hadith 925). While the full hadith discusses the Prophet's ﷺ farewell and emphasis on the Quran and Sunnah, this specific dua was among the supplications he would make. The context here focuses on his prayer for perfection of guidance and best endeavors, which aligns with seeking beneficial outcomes in any endeavor.