Dua for knowledge, Rabbi zidni ilma and more

The one thing Allah told the Prophet ﷺ to ask for more of is knowledge: Rabbi zidni ilma, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge" (20:114). The Sunnah adds duas for knowledge that benefits, for understanding of the religion, and for refuge from knowledge that does not benefit.

Rabbi zidni ilma

The dua comes at the end of 20:114, where Allah tells the Prophet ﷺ not to rush the recitation of the Quran before its revelation is complete, and to say: "My Lord, increase me in knowledge." It is short enough to say before every lesson, every page and every exam.

Before you study

Make your intention to learn for Allah and to benefit people. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever takes a path seeking knowledge, Allah makes easy for him a path to Paradise."¹ Say Rabbi zidni ilma and Dua 2, then study with full effort. For tests, see the dua for exams, which has the dua of Musa for ease and a clear tongue.

Knowledge that benefits

The Prophet ﷺ asked for beneficial knowledge every morning (Dua 3) and sought refuge from knowledge that does not benefit (Dua 4). Beneficial knowledge is what brings you closer to Allah and helps you and others, whether it is the Quran, the deen, medicine or a trade.

For your children's learning

The Prophet ﷺ held the young Ibn Abbas and prayed: "O Allah, give him understanding of the religion" (Dua 5). Ibn Abbas grew up to be one of the greatest scholars of the Quran among the Companions. Say it over your children by name before school, before Quran class and at bedtime, and teach them Rabbi zidni ilma as one of their first duas. It is never too late for adults either: many Companions learned to read the Quran as grown men and women.

1. Sahih Muslim 2699.
2. Quran 20:114, translation by Sahih International
3. Sunan Ibn Majah 251; Jami at-Tirmidhi 3599. Graded hasan gharib by at-Tirmidhi and sahih by al-Albani
4. Sunan Ibn Majah 925, graded sahih
5. Sahih Muslim 2722 (the end of a longer dua)
6. Sahih al-Bukhari 143