The Dua the Prophet Recited After the Morning Prayer

Our mother Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) relates: "When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had performed the morning prayer and given the salutation, he would pray thus: 'O my Lord, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, lawful and wholesome provision, and deeds that will be accepted'" (Sunan Ibn Majah, Iqamat as-Salah 32; Musnad Ahmad VI/294).

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) began the day with these three requests:

Ilman nafi'an (beneficial knowledge): knowledge that is put into practice, that is acted upon, and that benefits the individual and society. The Prophet sought refuge from knowledge that brings no benefit (Sahih Muslim, Dhikr 73). Beneficial knowledge is knowledge that draws a person closer to Allah, that leads to action, and that softens the heart.

Rizqan tayyiban (lawful and wholesome provision): "Tayyib" means pure, lawful and wholesome. Eating from the lawful part of one's provision and keeping away from what is forbidden is a requirement of faith. "O believers! Eat of the pure things We have provided for you" (al-Baqarah 172). A lawful morsel is a condition for a dua to be accepted.

Amalan mutaqabbalan (accepted deeds): a deed performed with sincerity and in accordance with the Sunnah is accepted. A deed performed with riya (showing off) is not accepted. "Whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him do righteous deeds and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord" (al-Kahf 110).

It is a sunnah to recite this short and comprehensive dua after the morning prayer, and it gives the day a blessed beginning.