Would you like to learn the dua the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to recite during Fajr or the morning prayer?

It was reported in the Sahih hadith by Umm Salamah that while he said the Salam, he would say the allahumma inni as aluka ilman nafian dua.

This is a very short dua, easy to memorize and learn, and it asks Allah SWT for beneficial knowledge, for good provision and acceptable deeds.

The reason why this is a very popular dua is it asks Allah for much and Allah is the best Giver of sustenance and provision.

Asking Allah for beneficial knowledge is asking for wisdom. Islam does not encourage ignorance, and in this life and the afterlife we will be affected by the things we know and how we spent our time. So askings Allah for knowledge is highly recommended (see also rabbi zidni ilma dua)

Knowledge is not (acquired) through extensive learning. Rather, it is the light that God sends in the heart of whomever He wishes to guide.
[Al-Majlisi, 
Bihar al‑Anwar, vol. 67, p. 140]

“Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother, and he who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him”
Sahih Muslim 2699

The dua also asks for Allah for goodly provision. This is a broad term, what are provisions? The dictionary defines provision as “supply with food, drink, or equipment, especially for a journey” but can also refer to finances, wealth, and obtaining halal money.

Lastly, it asks for deeds Allah for deeds which will be accepted. We are given opportunities by Allah SWT in this dunya and whether we seize them or not is up to us. If someone comes to us with a need and we shoo them away because it’s not our problem or that we are busy we have lost a chance to receive the rewards of helping a brother or sister out.

I hope you’re able to see the beauty in this dua, it really has a deep and profound message.  

allahumma inni as’aluka ilman naafi’an in arabic text

Here is the full dua in Arabic text,

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً

Transliteration: Allahumma inni as’aluka ‘ilman nafi’an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan

allahumma inni as’aluka ilman nafia DUA meaning

The translation of this dua, “O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision and acceptable deeds”

Here’s the full hadith from which this dua is originated from.

Hadith – Dua During Fajr Prayer

It was narrated from Umm Salamah that when the Prophet (ﷺ) performed the Subh (morning prayer), while he said the Salam, he would say:

Allahumma inni asaluka ‘ilman nafi’an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan

“O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision and acceptable deeds.’”

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)
Hadith Book: Sunan Ibn Majah
English reference: Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 925
Arabic reference: Book 5, Hadith 978

There are many different transliterations which exists for this dua, all of them are correct and may help you with the pronunciation of this dua so they are provided below. However, the best way to learn if you’re reading in Arabic is not the strongest is to listen to the dua and repeat after the qari to hear the correct way of saying.

  • Allahumma inni as aluka ilman nafia wa rizkan tayyiban wa aamalan muttaqabbalan
  • Allahumma inni as’aluka ‘Ilman naafi’an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan
  • Allahumma inni as’aluka ilman nafia’ wa rizkan tayyiban wa aamalan muttaqabbalan
  • Allahumma inni as’aluka ‘Ilman naafi’an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan