اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي وَعَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا
O Allah, benefit me with what You have taught me, teach me what benefits me, and increase me in knowledge.
Allahumma in-fa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa 'allimni ma yanfa'uni, wa zidni 'ilma.
When to Read
This is a powerful supplication to recite after any obligatory or voluntary prayer. You can also make it a regular part of your morning or evening remembrance (dhikr), or whenever you are studying the Quran or other Islamic knowledge. It's particularly relevant when you feel overwhelmed by the task of understanding or applying the Quran's teachings.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart, focusing on the meaning. Raise your hands as you would when making dua in prayer. Visualize yourself actively benefiting from the knowledge Allah grants you. It’s best to make this dua after completing your prayers, but it can be recited at any time. Focus on understanding each word and its implication for your life.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly asks Allah for three crucial things: benefiting from existing knowledge, acquiring beneficial knowledge, and increasing in knowledge. When we ask for beneficial knowledge, we are essentially asking for understanding of the Quran and the Sunnah, and the ability to implement it. This leads to a more guided life, pleasing to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself taught this dua, showing its immense importance for a Muslim seeking to live according to Allah's will as revealed in the Quran.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Allah, the Exalted, said: 'O 'Ubadah ibn as-Samit: 'Whoever comes forth from his home performing Wudu for an obligatory prayer, and he prays it, his prayer will be pardoned until the next prayer is performed, unless major sins are committed.' I said: 'What are major sins?' He said: 'Major sins are Shirk, murder, slander, the oath of falsehood, consuming the property of an orphan, consuming usury, fleeing on the day of battle, and the wronged when he seeks to help himself.' He said: 'And whoever is granted 'Ilm (knowledge) and he does not act upon it, then Allah will make him taste the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and if he had acted upon it, it would have been a (sufficient) provision for him until the Day of Resurrection.' I said: 'O Allah's Messenger, how shall I be able to act upon it?' He said: 'Learn 'Ilm (knowledge) and act upon it, and then Allah will grant you the benefit of your 'Ilm.' And I said: 'O Allah's Messenger, teach me what benefits me.' And Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) took me by the hand and said: 'O Allah, benefit me with what You have taught me, and teach me what benefits me, and increase me in knowledge.' And when He is granted 'Ilm, then he acts upon it, it is a source of light for him.'