اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا، وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, good provision, and acceptable deeds.
Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan
When to Read
This dua is particularly relevant when you feel a disconnect from your worship, when your heart feels heavy, or when sadness seems to overshadow your connection with Allah. Recite it after Fajr prayer, as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to do, seeking Allah's help to bring sincerity and acceptance to your actions, which in turn can bring sweetness and purpose back into your worship.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and focus. Raise your hands as you make the supplication, as is the Sunnah for making dua. Reflect on the meaning of each request: beneficial knowledge that guides you, pure provision that sustains you, and deeds that are accepted by Allah, for acceptance is key to finding joy and fulfillment in your worship. Understand that acceptable deeds are often the ones performed with devotion and sincerity, which is precisely what you seek when feeling distant.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua seeks three essential elements for a fulfilling spiritual life: beneficial knowledge that illuminates the path, good provision that allows one to worship without undue hardship, and most importantly, accepted deeds. When our deeds are accepted, Allah places acceptance and love for them in the hearts of people, and crucially, our own hearts find peace and satisfaction in them. This acceptance is what transforms mere ritual into a source of sweetness and contentment, even amidst personal struggles.
Source & Authentication
The Mother of the Faithful, 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), said: "The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, whenever he would finish praying, would not say anyone's salutations except that he would say: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan.' (O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, good provision, and acceptable deeds.)" — Sunan Ibn Majah 925. The scholars mention that the acceptance of deeds by Allah is the key to finding sweetness and joy in them, and that this acceptance can lead to further good deeds.