اللَّهُمَّ عَلِّمْنِي الكِتَابَ وَالحِسَابَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالعَفَافَ وَالغِنَى
O Allah, teach me the Book (the Quran) and the reckoning (understanding). O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and self-sufficiency (contentment).
Allahumma 'allimni al-kitaba wal-hisab. Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina.
When to Read
This dua is profound and can be recited at any time, especially after Fajr prayer when the day is beginning, or during the night when seeking closeness to Allah. It’s particularly relevant when embarking on seeking knowledge, reflecting on Allah's Book, or feeling a need for spiritual direction and inner purity.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heartfelt yearning for Allah's favor. Raise your hands as you would for other supplications. Picture in your mind what each request entails: understanding the Quran's depths, mastering the ability to account for deeds, receiving divine guidance, developing taqwa (consciousness of Allah), attaining chastity in all matters, and finding contentment with what Allah has provided.
Virtues & Benefits
This beautiful dua encapsulates key pillars of a righteous life. 'Teach me the Book' refers to understanding the Quran, its recitation, its rulings, and its wisdom, which is the cornerstone of our faith. 'And the reckoning' signifies the ability to critically assess oneself and one's deeds, a vital skill for accountability before Allah. The second part of the dua asks for four essential spiritual qualities: 'guidance' (huda) to the right path, 'piety' (tuqa) to keep away from sin, 'chastity' ('afaf) in both outward appearance and inner desires, and 'self-sufficiency' (ghina) which is contentment and freedom from neediness towards creation, relying solely on Allah. It’s a comprehensive request for both worldly and hereafter well-being, reflecting the Prophet's ﷺ comprehensive approach to life.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated that Ibn Abbas said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us the Tashahhud as he taught us a Surah of the Quran. He said: 'Say: Allahumma 'allimni al-kitaba wal-hisab.' (The Tashahhud being: 'Al-hamdulillah, wa as-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasuluh. Allahumma inni as'alukal-jannata wa a'udhu bika minan-nar.' Then he said: 'Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina.')