اللَّهُمَّ عَلِّمْهُ الْكِتَابَ، وَفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ، وَعَلِّمْهُ التَّأْوِيلَ
O Allah, teach him the Book, grant him understanding in religion, and teach him its interpretation.
Allahumma 'allimhu al-kitab, wa faqihhu fid-deen, wa 'allimhu at-ta'wil
When to Read
This dua is specifically recommended for the newborn. It can be recited by the parents or guardians upon the birth of a child, or at any point during their childhood. It's a beautiful supplication to ask Allah to grant the child the ability to understand and apply divine guidance, which is the foundation for discerning truth from falsehood.
How to Read
This dua can be recited with sincerity and conviction. Ideally, the parents should make this dua while holding the newborn, perhaps after the adhan has been called in the baby's ear. Gently whisper the dua, focusing on its profound meaning and asking Allah to bestow these noble qualities upon the child. It's about seeking Allah's blessing for the child's intellectual and spiritual development.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication directly asks Allah for three crucial elements for a believer: knowledge of the Quran ('al-kitab'), deep understanding of religious principles ('faqihhu fid-deen'), and the ability to comprehend its meanings and applications ('at-ta'wil'). These are the very tools that enable a person to distinguish right from wrong, truth from falsehood, and guidance from misguidance throughout their life. By seeking these for a newborn, parents are essentially praying for their child to grow into a person of knowledge, wisdom, and sound judgment.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'I have been given the Book and what was given with it (i.e. the Sunnah). I have been commanded to teach the people, so that they may learn.' And he invoked Allah, saying: 'O Allah, teach him the Book, grant him understanding in religion, and teach him its interpretation.' (This narration is contextually linked to the Prophet's ﷺ supplication for Ibn 'Abbas, but the principle of asking Allah for knowledge, understanding, and interpretation of the Deen is universally applicable for seeking discernment.)