اللَّهُمَّ اكْشِفْ سَوءَاتِ صَدْرِي، وَاغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي، وَاغْلُقْ عَلَيَّ رِزْقِي، وَاغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي. اللَّهُمَّ اكْشِفْ عَنِّي غِشَاءَ قَلْبِي، وَاغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي، وَاجْعَلْ لِي نُورًا. اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ عَلَيَّ فُتُوحَ العَارِفِينَ. اللَّهُمَّ عَلِّمْنِي مِنْ عِلْمِكَ، وَافْتَحْ عَلَيَّ أَبْوَابَ فَضْلِكَ، وَانْشُرْ عَلَيَّ رَحْمَتَكَ، وَأَنْزِلْ عَلَيَّ حِكْمَتَكَ.
O Allah, uncover the shortcomings of my heart, and forgive my error. Open for me the doors of Your bounty, and send down upon me Your wisdom.
Allahummak-shif su'ati sadri, waghfir li khaṭī'atī, waghluq 'alayya rizqī, waghfir li khaṭī'atī. Allahummak-shif 'anni ghishā'a qalbī, waghfir li khaṭī'atī, waj'al li nūrā. Allahumm-aftah 'alayya futūḥal-'ārifīn. Allahumm 'allimnī min 'ilmika, w-aftah 'alayya abwāba faḍlika, w-anshur 'alayya raḥmataka, w-anzil 'alayya ḥikmataka.
When to Read
This dua is particularly beneficial to recite when preparing for exams, especially when you feel overwhelmed or unsure about connecting different pieces of information. It's also excellent to say just before starting your exam paper, asking Allah to grant you clarity and understanding.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and full reliance on Allah. Raise your hands in supplication if possible, and face the Qiblah. Concentrate on the meaning of the words, visualizing Allah granting you the ability to understand and recall knowledge. It can be recited multiple times, especially during the times when supplications are more likely to be answered, such as after prayer or during the last third of the night.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive supplication asks Allah for several crucial things for academic success: 'uncovering shortcomings' refers to revealing your own weaknesses and flaws in understanding, asking for them to be mended. 'Forgiving error' acknowledges our human fallibility. 'Opening the doors of bounty' seeks Allah's abundant provision of knowledge and opportunity. Most importantly, 'sending down wisdom' is a direct request for the ability to not just know facts, but to understand, connect concepts, and apply knowledge effectively, which is key to comprehensive answers in exams.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to say: 'Allahumma 'Allimni al-Kitab' (O Allah, teach me the Book). And he would also say: 'Allahummak-shif 'anni ghishawa'a qalbi, waghfir li khati'ati, waj'al li nuran.' (O Allah, uncover the veil from my heart, forgive my sin, and make for me a light). [Sunan Ibn Majah 3841, graded Hasan]