Rabbi Zidni Ilma — “Lord, increase me in knowledge” (Quran 20:114)
“Rabbi zidni ilma” is the transliteration of the supplication that closes verse 114 of Surah Taha, the 20th chapter of the Quran. Abdel Haleem renders it “Lord, increase me in knowledge!” The verse sits in Juz 16 of the Meccan surah and is widely recited as a prayer for knowledge.
exalted be God, the one who is truly in control. [Prophet], do not rush to recite before the revelation is fully complete but say, ‘Lord, increase me in knowledge!’
English translation by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem, The Qur’an (Oxford University Press).
Context
Verse 114 of Surah Taha (135 verses) follows a passage about the Quran itself: verse 113 says it was sent down “in the Arabic tongue” with warnings. Verse 114 then addresses the Prophet directly — not to rush reciting before its revelation is fully complete — and closes with the supplication “Lord, increase me in knowledge!” Verse 115 turns to the story of Adam. The verse falls in Juz 16 of the Meccan surah.
Reference
- Surah
- 20. Taha
- Ayah
- 114
- Juz
- Juz 16
- Revelation
- Meccan (Mecca)
From the tafsir
“(and say: "My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.") meaning, "Give me more knowledge from You." Ibn `Uyaynah said, "The Prophet did not cease increasing (in knowledge) until Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, took him (i.e. he died)."”
English tafsir abridged from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Hafiz Ibn Kathir), abridgement by Shaykh Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri (Darussalam), via Quran.com.
Read the full tafsir of Surah Taha
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