اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا، وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision, and acceptable deeds.
Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman naafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan
When to Read
This dua is powerful for anyone stepping into a leadership role within the community, whether it's managing a project, leading prayers, organizing events, or any other capacity. It's ideal to recite this at the beginning of your term, before a crucial meeting, or whenever you feel the weight of responsibility and need Allah's guidance. It’s a comprehensive supplication that covers essential aspects of effective and accepted service.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a clear intention of serving the community for the sake of Allah. Raise your hands as you would during prayer. Face the Qiblah if possible. Understand the meaning of each word and ask Allah with certainty, believing He will respond. It can be recited at any time, but is especially potent after obligatory prayers or during the blessed times like the last third of the night.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates three crucial elements for success in any endeavor, especially leadership: 1. **Beneficial Knowledge ('ilman naafi'an):** Leadership requires wisdom and understanding. Asking for knowledge that benefits oneself and others is vital for making sound decisions and guiding the community effectively. 2. **Goodly Provision (rizqan tayyiban):** This refers not just to wealth, but to sustenance in its broadest sense – health, good relationships, and the resources needed to carry out leadership tasks. 'Tayyiban' implies purity and goodness, ensuring that whatever provision comes is lawful and wholesome. 3. **Acceptable Deeds ('amalan mutaqabbalan):** The ultimate goal of leadership is to please Allah. This part of the dua seeks acceptance for the actions taken, meaning they are performed correctly, with the right intention, and in accordance with Islamic principles. Sahih al-Bukhari 6306 mentions that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would often supplicate with phrases seeking the best of what is in this life and the hereafter, and this dua aligns with that profound seeking.
Source & Authentication
The hadith narrates that when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would finish his morning prayer, he would say: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman naafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan.' (O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision, and acceptable deeds.)