اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا، وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision, and deeds accepted.
Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman naafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan
When to Read
This powerful dua is particularly relevant when you begin a memorization session, after completing a portion, or whenever you feel your memory needs a boost. It's also a wonderful supplication to make at the start of any learning endeavor. Make it a habit after Fajr prayer for added blessings.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction, directing your focus entirely to Allah. Raise your hands as you do so, as is the practice for supplication. Visualize the knowledge you are seeking entering your mind and the Quranic verses becoming firmly embedded in your heart. Continue to make consistent effort in your memorization and revision alongside this dua.
Virtues & Benefits
This hadith, narrated by Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), highlights the comprehensive nature of seeking Allah's help. 'Ilman naafi'an' (beneficial knowledge) is exactly what's needed for memorizing and understanding the Quran. The request for 'rizqan tayyiban' (goodly provision) can include the blessing of a sharp and retentive memory, while 'amalan mutaqabbalan' (deeds accepted) reminds us that our efforts in memorizing the Quran are acts of worship that we hope Allah accepts. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself would often supplicate for beneficial knowledge, indicating its immense importance.
Source & Authentication
The wife of the Apostle of Allah (ﷺ), Umm Salamah, said: 'Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) performed the morning prayer, he would say: O Allah, I ask You for knowledge that is good, sustenance that is pure, and deeds that are acceptable.' (Sunan Ibn Majah 925). The narrator also mentioned that he said: 'And if He grants that, then no one else can withhold it, and if He withholds it, then no one else can grant it.' This emphasizes total reliance on Allah.