The dua
وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًاWa qur-rabbi zidnī ‘ilmā
“And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
When you make the dua yourself, you say the words after “wa qul” (and say): rabbi zidnī ‘ilmā.
Word by word
- رَبِّ (rabbi): my Lord
- زِدْنِي (zidnī): increase me, from the root ز ي د, meaning to add or increase
- عِلْمًا (‘ilman): in knowledge, from the root ع ل م
The root ع ل م is one of the most common in the Quran. From it come ‘ilm (knowledge), ‘ālim (a scholar, plural ‘ulamā’), ta‘allum (learning), mu‘allim (teacher) and Al-‘Alīm, the All-Knowing, a name of Allah.
The context of the verse
The verse was revealed while the Quran was being sent down to the Prophet ﷺ. It tells him not to rush in repeating the revelation before it is complete, and then to ask Allah for more knowledge. The lesson for learners is patience: take knowledge as it comes and keep asking Allah to increase it.
More duas for learning
The Prophet ﷺ used to say:
اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي، وَعَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي، وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا“O Allah, benefit me with what You have taught me, teach me what will benefit me, and increase me in knowledge.”
Before speaking to Pharaoh, the Prophet Musa asked Allah for confidence and clear speech. Many students say this dua before exams or presentations:
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي“My Lord, expand for me my chest, and ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue, that they may understand my speech.”
The value of seeking knowledge
The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever takes a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for them a path to Paradise (Sahih Muslim 2699). Every lesson, including learning the meanings of Arabic words, can be part of that path when done for Allah’s sake.
