اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لاَ يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لاَ يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لاَ تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لاَ يُسْمَعُ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear [You], from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'.
When to Read
This powerful supplication can be recited at any time, but it's particularly fitting when embarking on a new learning endeavor, starting a study session, or reflecting on the knowledge you've acquired. It serves as a constant reminder to seek beneficial knowledge and to guard against its potential downsides.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a focused heart. Understand the meaning of each phrase and let it guide your intentions. Raising your hands as you would during other supplications is a good practice, though not strictly required for this specific dua.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly addresses the core concerns related to knowledge: its utility, the spiritual state of the learner, their inner contentment, and the acceptance of their pleas. By seeking refuge from *'ilmin la yanfa'* (knowledge that does not benefit), we're asking Allah to direct our learning towards what is truly useful in this life and the next. It helps prevent the arrogance or misapplication that can sometimes accompany gaining knowledge without true understanding or spiritual grounding. This protection extends to seeking refuge from a heart that lacks reverence for Allah, a soul that remains insatiably greedy, and prayers that go unanswered due to our own shortcomings.
Source & Authentication
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to supplicate: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done, from the evil of what I have not done, from the evil of what I have known, from the evil of what I have not known...'. (This is the first part of a longer hadith, and the part relevant here is a separate, though thematically similar, supplication taught by the Prophet ﷺ as quoted in Sahih Muslim). The specific wording used in the entry above is also authentically narrated and taught as a comprehensive protection against negative aspects tied to knowledge and other spiritual matters.