This dua is a very short one, only three words long.

From just reading the title of this article you will have already memorized it.

This dua was revealed by Allah (SWT) to our last prophetic teacher, Prophet Muhammad in Surah Taha ayah 114. The translation of this ayah is:

“So high [above all] is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muhammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur’an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”

ربِّ زِدْنِي عِلْماً
My Lord, increase me in knowledge.

This goes beyond just IQ, it’s asking Allah for personal growth which could include knowledge to grow spiritually, intelectually, or financially.

Personal development is the key to living this life fully and for achieving Jannah. All growth must come from within, it’s an internal game, only the individual transcends.

It used to be back in the old days that knowledge and reading were for the privileged upper class. In today’s society we all have the world’s information at our finger tips.

What we don’t lack is knowledge but a desire to learn.

In picking up a new task, learning a new skill we are novices and this is not a comfortable feeling. It’s unexplored territory, we don’t know what to expect and leads to feeling uncertain. Many shy away and go back to living a life of repetition and comfort but this is not a life of personal growth. Through challenge and obstacles we grow and get better.

This dua “Rabbi Zidni Ilma” embraces the challenge. It asks for Allah’s help to guide us.

We should not wish for fewer difficulties we should wish for more skills.

Hadith About Increasing Knowledge

Narrated Abu Hurairah:

that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.”

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference: Jami At-Tirmidhi 2646 Book 41, Hadith 2
English translation: Vol. 5, Book 39, Hadith 2646