Dua for exam success
Five duas from the Quran and Sunnah. Say them before, during, and after. Then trust Allah and give the exam your best.
The five duas in full
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِنْ لِسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
Rabbi ishrah li sadri wa yassir li amri wahlul uqdatan min lisani yafqahu qawli
Meaning. My Lord, expand for me my chest, ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue that they may understand my speech.
Source. Surah Taha 20:25-28. The dua of Musa before he faced Pharaoh.
When. Before the exam. The best dua for public speaking, interviews, and vivas.
رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
Rabbi zidni ilma
Meaning. My Lord, increase me in knowledge.
Source. Surah Taha 20:114. Allah taught this to the Prophet ﷺ.
When. While studying, and any time you sit to learn.
اللَّهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَ إِلَّا مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلًا وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلًا
Allahumma la sahla illa ma ja`altahu sahla, wa anta taj`alul hazna idha shi'ta sahla
Meaning. O Allah, there is no ease except what You make easy, and You make the difficult easy when You will.
Source. Sahih Ibn Hibban 2427, graded sahih.
When. When you get stuck on a question, or before opening the paper.
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Hasbunallahu wa ni`mal wakil
Meaning. Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.
Source. Surah Al-Imran 3:173. Said by Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in the fire.
When. When anxiety hits. Repeat it. The Companions calmed their hearts with this exact phrase.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي بِنِعْمَتِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُ
Alhamdu lillahi alladhi bi ni`matihi tatimmus salihat
Meaning. All praise belongs to Allah, by whose favour good things are completed.
Source. Sunan Ibn Majah 3803, hasan.
When. After the exam, whatever the result. It is a Sunnah of gratitude.
Frequently asked questions
Can I read the dua in English?
You can, but learn the Arabic. Two or three of these are short enough to memorise in a single evening.
How many times should I repeat Hasbunallahu wa ni`mal wakil?
Repeat it until the heart calms. Seven times is a common tradition; there is no fixed count.
What if I fail after making dua?
Every dua is answered. Sometimes with what you asked, sometimes with something better withheld for the akhirah, sometimes with a harm removed. Never a wasted word.
Is there a specific dua for reading long texts?
Rabbi zidni ilma is the best. Combine with Ayatul Kursi in the morning for protection and focus.
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