Rabbee Zidnee ‘Ilma

 رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا Those who know this du’aa from their childhood and are in the habit of making this du’aa very often are immensely fortunate.

By teaching this du’aa, parents and teachers in fact connect their children with knowledge and the Source of all knowledge.  And this connection stays till a person’s last breath. Subhanallaah!

Affectionately taught by man’s very First Teacher – Allah – to man’s Last Prophetic-Teacher, Prophet Muhammad (sal-lal-laahu-alahi-wa-sallam), this du’aa is highly meaningful: 

 

“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.” (Surah Taha 20: 114)

Unfortunately some Muslim authors/translators have done dis-service in presenting a wrong translation of this beautiful du’aa. Translating this du’aa as “My Lord! Increase my knowledge'” is to belittle the ayah’s connotation.

A Muslim must say this to himself: It is not that I am asking Allah to increase ‘my knowledge’ but I am seeking ‘my growth’ ‘my enrichment’ in knowledge, wisdom and intellect.

Personality development is the key.

Dear brothers and sisters, how refreshing it would be if we say رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا keeping the following meanings in mind, Inshaa’Allah.

My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.

My Lord! Elevate me in knowledge.

My Lord! Advance me in knowledge.

My Lord! Uplift me intellectually.

My Lord! Enrich me in wisdom.

My Lord! Improve me in spiritual matters.

My Lord! Raise me in morals.

My Lord! Uphold me in education.

My Lord! Make me dominant in sciences.

My Lord! Sparkle me intellectually.

The element hidden in this du’aa is one’s upbringing. Not that you seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge. You grow up in knowledge. And you stop growing when you stop learning!

Islam teaches us to seek knowledge to reform ourselves. To educate our community. To promote our values. To advance our civilization. To uphold our culture. To spread our deen. To make our dunya happy. To make our Aakhirah fruitful. To dominate scientifically, culturally and morally. To build a viable and a caring society.  To rule the world with Divine Guidance.

To achieve all this, effort is needed. That is what we seek through this du’aa.

“O Allah! Bless me with the Tawfeeq to transform myself into a learned and upright individual”.

We Muslims must seek our development and success through creative knowledge and wisdom.  By looking beyond the sky. By being masters in the field, not servants at someone’s mercy!  Definitely not via imitating others. Not copying science and technology from people with materialistic mindsets and hegemonic attitudes. But by participating in the global world through innovation in all branches of knowledge, not just in science and technology. Through ethics and excellence. Morals and manners. This is what we seek – and must seek – through this du’aa:  رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا

I would like to conclude by highlighting an issue: the articulation of Arabic letters.

You know the word ‘Ilm with the letter Ayn means knowledge. If mispronounced, you substitute Ayn with Alif.

And Ilm with the letter Alif means pain!

So are we unknowingly seeking pain and an increase in pain?!!

Of course, Allah knows our intentions and understands what we mean. So He will bless us with knowledge and intellect but then what is our role in the articulation of Arabic words?

While we seek to understand the du’aa of our childhood, let us also improve our pronunciation, Inshaa’Allah.

Seek knowledge. Be upright. Stay blessed!

Jazakallahu Khayra for reading this post of mine.