اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي، وَعَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي، وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا
O Allah, benefit me by what You have taught me, teach me what is beneficial for me, and increase me in knowledge.
Allahumma-nfa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa 'allimni ma yanfa'uni, wa zidni 'ilman
When to Read
This powerful dua is perfect for reciting whenever you feel the need to deepen your understanding of Islam or any beneficial knowledge. It’s particularly potent after completing a lesson, reading an Islamic book, or attending a lecture. We can make it a daily habit, perhaps after Fajr, to ask Allah to illuminate our minds and guide our thirst for knowledge. When we collectively turn to Allah with this plea, we are seeking a spiritual upliftment for the entire Ummah, asking Him to dispel ignorance and replace it with wisdom that guides us to what is pleasing to Him.
How to Read
To recite this dua with sincerity, start by ensuring you are in a state of purity (wudu). Face the Qiblah if possible, and raise your hands in supplication. Begin with praising Allah and sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Recite the Arabic text clearly, focusing on each word and its meaning. Reflect on your intention: you are asking Allah, the Source of all knowledge, to make what you learn beneficial and to grant you more of it. Pour your heart into the plea, visualizing your mind and the minds of your brothers and sisters in Islam being filled with beneficial understanding. Conclude by sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ again and making dua for yourself and the entire Ummah.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication is a direct request to Allah for the most valuable assets: beneficial knowledge and the ability to act upon it. By asking Allah to benefit us from what He has already taught us, we acknowledge His blessings and seek the application of our existing knowledge. Asking Him to teach us what is beneficial ensures that our learning is directed towards that which pleases Him and serves humanity. The final request, 'increase me in knowledge,' is a testament to the boundless nature of beneficial knowledge and our continuous need for it. For the Ummah, such a collective dua can usher in an era of wisdom, sound judgment, and a deeper understanding of our faith, leading us away from misguidance and towards success in this life and the Hereafter. Allah Himself tells us in the Quran, '...and say, 'My Lord, increase me in knowledge.' (Surah Taha 20:114).
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say in his prayer: اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي، وَعَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي، وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا 'Allahumma-nfa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa 'allimni ma yanfa'uni, wa zidni 'ilman.' Translation: 'O Allah, benefit me by what You have taught me, teach me what is beneficial for me, and increase me in knowledge.' Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Supplication, Hadith 3833. Graded Hasan by Darussalam.