Dua for studying for exams

Seeking knowledge is one of the many ways for us to be close to Allah s.w.t. Understanding the world around us and appreciating Allah’s creations would increase our gratefulness to Him and instil in us a greater sense of humility. To know more about why and what kind of knowledge is important, click here.

In the journey of seeking and acquiring knowledge, however, we may face difficulties and challenges. Common obstacles like mental blocks, depleting passion or even countless distractions might hinder us from continuing the learning journey. Therefore, we should seek help from Allah s.w.t, together with having the right intention in hopes to achieve consistency in our efforts. To know more about the tips in seeking knowledge, click here.

A 17th-century scholar from Yemen, Imam Abdullah Alwi Al-Haddad, compiled a set of beautiful intentions to study that can help to recenter ourselves as we recite it with reflection:

نَوَيۡتُ التَّعَلُّمَ وَالتَّعۡلِيۡمَ وَالتَّذَكُّرَ وَالتَّذۡكِيۡرَ وَالنّفۡعَ وَالانۡتِفَاعَ وَالإفَادَةَ وَالاسۡتِفَادَةَ وَالحَثَّ عَلَى التَمَسُّكِ بِكِتَابِ اللهِ وَسُنَّةِ رَسُولِهِ وَالدُّعَآءَ إلى الهُدَى وَالدَّلاَلَةَ علَى الخَيۡرِ ابۡتِغَاءَ وَجۡهِ اللهِ وَمَرۡضَاتِهِ وَقُرۡبِهِ وَثَوَابِهِ

"I intend to learn and teach, to remind myself and remind others, to bring benefit to myself and others, to hold firmly to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Rasulullah s.a.w, and to call towards guidance and virtue, while seeking the countenance, pleasure, nearness and the reward of Allah."

Here are some of the duas to recite for studying:

1. Dua to increase knowledge

رَبِّ زِدۡنِي عِلۡمًا

Rabbi zidni 'ilma.

“Lord! Increase me in knowledge.”

(Surah Taha, 20:114)

2. Dua for a content heart and beneficial knowledge 

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لاَ يَنْفَعُ, وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لاَ يُسْمَعُ, وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لاَ يَخْشَعُ, وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لاَ تَشْبَعُ

Allahumma inni a'uzu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min du'a-in la yusma', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba'.

“O Allah, I seek refuge with You from knowledge that does not bring benefit, from a supplication that is not heard, from a heart that does not fear (You) and from a soul that never satisfies.”

(Sunan Ibn Majah)

3. Dua to seek refuge from worry, grief and laziness  

اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أعُوذُ بكَ مِنَ الهَمِّ والحَزَنِ، والعَجْزِ والكَسَلِ، والجُبْنِ والبُخْلِ، وضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ، وغَلَبَةِ الرِّجالِ

Allahumma inni a’uzu bika minal-hammi wal-hazani, wal-’ajzi wal-kasal, wal-jubni wal-bukhul, wa-dhola’id-daini, wa-gholabatir-rijal

“O Allah! I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, and from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from being heavily in debt and from being overpowered by (other) men.”

(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

4. Dua for mercy and guidance in all affairs  

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا

Rabbana atina min ladunka rahmatan wa hayyi’ lana min amrina rasyada.

“Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and guide us rightly through our matters.”

(Surah Al-Kahf, 18:10)

6. Dua for beneficial knowledge

اَللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي وَعَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا

Allahumman-fa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa 'allimni ma yanfa'uni, wa zidni ‘ilma

“O Allah! Grant me benefit in what you have taught me, and teach me useful knowledge and increase me in knowledge.”

(Sunan At-Tirmizi)

7. Dua for studying something difficult

اللَّهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَ إلاَّ مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلاً، وأنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الحَزْنَ إذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلاً

Allahumma laa sahla illa ma ja’altahu sahlan, wa anta taj-alul hazna iza syi’ta sahla.

“Oh Allah! Nothing is easy except what you have made easy. If you wish, you can make the difficult easy.”

(Sahih Ibn Hibban)