اللَّهُمَّ فَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَعَلِّمْهُ التَّأْوِيلَ
O Allah, grant him understanding in religion and teach him interpretation.
Allahumma faqquh-hu fid-deeni wa 'allimhut-ta'weel
When to Read
This dua is beautifully suited for reciting when welcoming a new baby into the world. You can whisper it as you hold your newborn, or offer it in supplication after the birth. It's also a wonderful prayer to make during the 'Aqiqah ceremony (the ritual sacrifice on the seventh, fourteenth, or twenty-first day after birth) or anytime you wish to invoke Allah's blessing for your child's spiritual and moral upbringing.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and a hopeful heart, directing your plea to Allah. It's a personal supplication, so there isn't a prescribed number of times to recite it. The key is the heartfelt connection and the desire for your child to grow with deep understanding and good manners.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication, famously made by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), seeks two profound gifts for the child: deep *fiqh* (understanding of religion) and *ta'weel* (interpretation, implying a deep comprehension of the Quran and Sunnah). When a child grows with this understanding, they are more likely to naturally embody Islamic etiquette (*adab*). Adab encompasses respect, humility, kindness, and all the beautiful manners that Islam encourages. By asking Allah for this foundation, we are praying for our children to be guided to act in accordance with Islamic teachings, not just out of obligation, but out of genuine comprehension and appreciation.
Source & Authentication
Ibn Abbas narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ embraced me and said: 'O Allah, teach him the Book (i.e., the Quran).' Ibn Majah said: 'Allahumma 'allimhu al-kitab.' Then he said: 'O Allah, grant him understanding in religion and teach him interpretation.' Ibn Majah said: 'Allahumma faqquh-hu fid-deen wa 'allimhut-ta'weel.'