Supplication for an Increase in Knowledge: Quranic Supplications 12

During Ramadan 2023, Sheikh Faraz Rabbani gave a series of daily video talks on supplications in the Quran. This series of articles are drawn from those talks and the related eBook. This article is about asking for an increase in knowledge. The video series can be viewed here.

رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًۭا

“O my Lord, increase me in knowledge.” [Quran, 20:114]

In the Quran, Allah Most High commands our beloved Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to ask for increase in only one thing. That is to ask for an increase in knowledge. In what knowledge? In knowledge that benefits. Knowledge that shows me my reality. In reality as it is: “Who is my Lord and Creator? What is my purpose in this life?” 

And then the knowledge of religion that enables me to pursue the good of this life and the eternal good of the next. That shows me how to rectify my state. How to seek my Lord. How to attain closeness, love, and being beloved.

Seek Knowledge

This teaches us what we should be seeking in life. There are many things to seek, but one of the keys to good is to seek knowledge of the good. If you’re seeking to be of the people of service, learn how to serve with excellence. If you’re seeking to be of those who help others, learn how to help others with excellence. If you’re seeking to draw closer to Allah, learn how to draw closer to Allah.

If you’re seeking the love of Allah, learn how to attain the love of Allah. If you’re seeking the Hereafter, then learn what is the path of those who tread the way of putting the next life before the fleeting life of this world. Anything that you seek, seek the knowledge that will empower you to attain it. But ask for that from Allah and say: وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًۭا – “O Lord, Increase me in knowledge.”

May we be of the rightly guided – the people of knowledge, and guidance, and gratitude, and love.

Praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.