As the new academic year commences, many individuals, particularly students, face challenges in comprehending certain academic matters. In response, Egyptian scholars have emphasized the importance of turning to God through prayer and supplication. Various Quranic verses and Hadiths offer guidance on this matter, especially since clarity of understanding is required every morning to navigate daily life.
Dr. Ali Jumaa, the former Grand Mufti of Egypt, shared an optimal morning prayer formula on his official social media page. He recommended reciting this prayer every morning: "O God, we ask You by Your great name, the most great, when You are invoked, You answer, and when You are asked, You give, and by all Your beautiful names, what we know and what we do not know, that You respond to our supplications, fulfill our desires, and judge our needs."
According to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it is recommended for Muslims to recite the "Throne Verse" (Ayat al-Kursi) every morning. The verse is as follows: "God, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?"
The Quran contains several verses that can be recited as prayers for understanding, including: "Guide us to the straight path" (Surah Al-Fatihah, verse 6); "Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the hereafter and protect us from the fire" (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 201); "Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us from Yourself mercy" (Surah Al Imran, verse 8).
Additional Quranic verses that can be recited for guidance and understanding include: "Our Lord, open between us and our people with the truth, and You are the best of those who bring about truth" (Surah Al-A'raf, verse 89); "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from asking You what I have no knowledge of, and unless You forgive me and have mercy on me, I will be among the losers" (Surah Hud, verse 47).
The Hadith also provides guidance on morning prayers for understanding. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to supplicate: "O God, make light in my heart, and make light in my hearing, and make light in my sight" (reported by Al-Albani). Another Hadith states: "O God, I seek refuge in You from being misled or leading others astray, from stumbling or being made to stumble, from doing wrong or having wrong done to me" (reported by Nawawi).
There is no objection to Muslims reciting specific supplications during morning and evening remembrances or at any time they choose. According to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), individuals can select their favorite supplications and invoke God, as reported by Al-Bukhari and Al-Nasa'i.
Key points
- Dr. Ali Jumaa shared an optimal morning prayer formula.
- Reciting the "Throne Verse" (Ayat al-Kursi) is recommended every morning.
- Muslims can recite specific supplications during morning and evening remembrances.
