Dua for Increase in Knowledge
رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
Rabbi zidnee ‘ilmaa
Translation
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
Surah Ta-Ha Ayat 114
Key Takeaways
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The message behind this du’a emphasizes “quality over quantity” in learning. True understanding and knowledge come slowly, and learning under pressure is ineffective. Patience in learning is more relevant today than ever amid the distraction of modern technology.
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Modern technology competes for our attention, with scientists designing platforms to be addictive. We often pursue mindless pleasure for entertainment, ignoring the long-term harm this addiction causes to our brains. Training ourselves to prioritize shallow content over deep learning has lasting ramifications.
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Seeking and spreading knowledge is a virtuous act in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2646) He also advised: “Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge with Allah from the knowledge that is of no benefit.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3843) Not all knowledge is equal—we must be cautious of harmful or useless information, as unlearning deep-seated ideas is difficult.
Context of This Du’a
The verse containing this du’a states: “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, Rabbi zidnee ‘ilmaa ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’” (20:114)
This verse first highlights the core purpose of Islam: centering our focus on Allah (swt), who is Al-Malik (the Sovereign, with complete dominion) and Al-Haqq (the embodiment of truth).
Allah then instructed Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) not to rush in reciting the Qur’an. Whenever new surahs or ayat were revealed, the Prophet (ﷺ) would be overjoyed and eager to memorize them quickly. This guidance is repeated in Surah Qiyamah: “Move not your tongue with it, [O Muhammad], to hasten with the recitation of the Qur’an.” (75:16) Instead, he was instructed to supplicate for increased knowledge.
Allah assured the Prophet (ﷺ) that each ayat was revealed with a definite purpose and would not be lost. The message was to take time to understand and absorb the Qur’an’s teachings fully.
Lessons for Us
When struggling with difficult topics or understanding, turn to Allah (swt) in supplication—ask Him to ease the learning process and increase your knowledge. Through His mercy, He may send a teacher, mentor, or grant you the ability to reason and solve problems.
Embrace the “quality over quantity” approach to learning: It is better to read and understand one good book thoroughly than to superficially read many. Seek out challenging, thought-provoking subjects and persist through them. Avoiding easy, passive content and embracing effortful learning leads to beneficial knowledge growth.
We stand at a crossroads amid modern distractions. To excel and stand out, we must resist mindless entertainment and laziness, prioritizing the pursuit of beneficial knowledge. Willpower and patience—like muscles—need exercise, and misusing technology erodes these vital qualities. Be mindful of when devices serve you, and when they distract you from meaningful learning.
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