Supplication for increase in knowledge
Can be recited anytime, especially when seeking knowledge.
رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
Rabbi zidnî ilmâ.
My Lord, increase me in knowledge.
The Quranic command to ask for increase in knowledge.
Ta-Ha 20:114
Supplication for beneficial knowledge
Recommended after the morning prayer.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا
Allâhümme innî es'elüke ilmen nâfian ve amelen mütekabbelen ve rizkan tayyiben.
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, accepted deeds, and good provision.
Ibn Majah, Iqamat as-Salat 32, 925
Refuge from useless knowledge
Can be recited anytime.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ وَمِنْ دَعْوَةٍ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا
Allâhümme innî eûzü bike min ilmin lâ yenfe'u ve min kalbin lâ yahşe'u ve min nefsin lâ teşbe'u ve min da'vetin lâ yüstecâbü lehâ.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that is of no benefit, a heart that does not fear, a soul that is never satisfied, and a supplication that is not answered.
Muslim, Dhikr 73, 2722
Supplication for understanding and wisdom
Recited before teaching, giving a speech, or starting an important task.
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِنْ لِسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
Rabbishrahlî sadrî ve yessir lî emrî vahlül ukdeten min lisânî yefkahû kavlî.
My Lord, expand for me my chest, ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue that they may understand my speech.
The supplication of Prophet Musa (AS) to Allah.
Ta-Ha 20:25-28
When facing a difficult matter
Recited when facing a difficult matter.
اللَّهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَ إِلَّا مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلًا وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلًا
Allâhümme lâ sehle illâ mâ cealtehû sehlen ve ente tec'alül hazne izâ şi'te sehlâ.
O Allah, nothing is easy except what You make easy, and You make the difficult, if You wish, easy.
Ibn Hibban, 2427; Ibn Sunni, 351
Prophet's supplication for guidance
Recited in study sessions and before classes.
اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي وَعَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا
Allâhümmenfa'nî bimâ allemtenî ve allimnî mâ yenfe'unî ve zidnî ilmâ.
O Allah, benefit me with what You have taught me, teach me what will benefit me, and increase me in knowledge.
Tirmidhi, Da'awat 128, 3599; Ibn Majah, Muqaddimah 23, 251
Seeking Allah's guidance in decisions
Recited after praying 2 rak'ahs before making an important decision.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ
Allâhümme innî estahîruke bi ilmike ve estakdiruke bi kudretike ve es'elüke min fadlikel azîm, fe inneke takdiru ve lâ akdiru ve ta'lemü ve lâ a'lemü ve ente allâmül ğuyûb.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. You have power and I have none; You know and I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things.
The Prophet (PBUH) used to teach this supplication as he taught chapters of the Quran.
Bukhari, Tahajjud 25, 1162; Da'awat 48, 6382
