Scriptural basis:
"And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge" (Ta-Ha: 114) — this is Allah's command to His Prophet to seek increase in knowledge through supplication; how much more should we?
Transmitted supplications for memorization:
- "O Allah, make the great Quran the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, and the removal of my sorrow and distress" — from the Prophet's supplication (Ahmad 3704 — Hasan).
- "Rabbi zidni ilma" (Ta-Ha: 114) — the direct supplication verse.
- "O Allah, nothing is easy except what You make easy, and You can make difficulty easy when You will" — (Ibn Hibban — Sahih).
Times of supplication:
- Before the memorization session: supplicate with a present and attentive heart.
- In prostration: "O Allah, make memorizing Your words easy for me."
- In the last third of the night: among the closest times of answered supplication.
- After completing memorization: in gratitude and asking for retention.
Closing note:
Supplication is not a substitute for effort — it is the second wing. The wing of effort + the wing of supplication = flying toward memorization. Whoever relies on only one struggles to reach the goal.
Question: What is the explicit Quranic supplication Allah commanded His Prophet to say when seeking knowledge?
Answer: "Rabbi zidni ilma" — My Lord, increase me in knowledge (Ta-Ha: 114).