اَللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَرَبَّ الْاَرْضِ، رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، رَبَّنَا وَرَبَّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ، فَالِقَ الْحَبِّ وَالنَّوَى، وَمُنْزِلَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْاِنْجِيلِ وَالْفُرْقَانِ، اَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ اَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهِ. اَللّٰهُمَّ اَنْتَ الْاَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَىْءٌ، وَاَنْتَ الْآخِرُ فَلَيْسَ بَعْدَكَ شَىْءٌ، وَاَنْتَ الظَّاهِرُ فَلَيْسَ فَوْقَكَ شَىْءٌ، وَاَنْتَ الْبَاطِنُ فَلَيْسَ دُونَكَ شَىْءٌ، اِقْضِ عَنَّا دَيْنَناَ وَاَغْنِنَا مِنَ الْفَقْرِ.
O Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, Lord of the Great Throne, our Lord and Lord of all things, Splitter of the grain and the date stone, Revealer of the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran, I seek refuge in You from the evil of all things You are seizing by its forelock. O Allah, You are the First, so there is nothing before You; You are the Last, so there is nothing after You; You are the Apparent, so there is nothing above You; You are the Hidden, so there is nothing nearer than You. Settle our debts for us and enrich us from poverty.
Allahumma Rabba as-samawati wa Rabba al-ardi, Rabba al-'arshil-'adheem, Rabbana wa Rabba kulli shay'in, Faliq al-habbi wan-nawa, wa Munzil at-Tawrati wal-Injili wal-Furqan, a'udhu bika min sharri kulli shay'in anta akhidun bi-nasiyatih. Allahumma Anta al-Awwalu falaysa qablaka shay'un, wa Anta al-Akhiru falaysa ba'daka shay'un, wa Anta adh-Dhahiru falaysa fawqaka shay'un, wa Anta al-Batinu falaysa duna ka shay'un, iqdhi 'anna daynana wa aghnina minal-faqr.
When to Read
This powerful dua, known as the dua of distress, can be recited when you're facing a challenging situation like an exam where you've forgotten crucial information. It's best recited before the exam, during a quiet moment, or even during the exam if the environment permits and doesn't disrupt others. The core of this dua is seeking Allah's help in all aspects of life, including academic success.
How to Read
Recite this dua with full conviction and sincerity, understanding that Allah is the ultimate controller of all affairs. Raise your hands as you would during other supplications. Focus your heart on Allah, believing that He can indeed bring to your mind what you have forgotten. Remember that this dua is also a general supplication for seeking refuge from all evils and settling debts, so its recitation is beneficial in many contexts.
Virtues & Benefits
While there isn't a specific dua for 'exam answers', this comprehensive dua for seeking refuge and relief from distress is highly relevant. It encompasses seeking Allah's help against all evils and asking Him to settle our debts, which can be metaphorically understood as overcoming difficulties. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to a companion who was burdened by debt, and he found relief. Thus, reciting it for forgotten information can be a means of Allah making that knowledge accessible to you.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach them, when one of them was distressed or facing a calamity: 'Allahumma Rabba as-samawati wa Rabba al-ardi, Rabba al-'arshil-'adheem, Rabbana wa Rabba kulli shay'in, Faliq al-habbi wan-nawa, wa Munzil at-Tawrati wal-Injili wal-Furqan, a'udhu bika min sharri kulli shay'in anta akhidun bi-nasiyatih. Allahumma Anta al-Awwalu falaysa qablaka shay'un, wa Anta al-Akhiru falaysa ba'daka shay'un, wa Anta adh-Dhahiru falaysa fawqaka shay'un, wa Anta al-Batinu falaysa duna ka shay'un, iqdhi 'anna daynana wa aghnina minal-faqr. (O Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, Lord of the Great Throne, our Lord and Lord of all things, Splitter of the grain and the date stone, Revealer of the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran, I seek refuge in You from the evil of all things You are seizing by its forelock. O Allah, You are the First, so there is nothing before You; You are the Last, so there is nothing after You; You are the Apparent, so there is nothing above You; You are the Hidden, so there is nothing nearer than You. Settle our debts for us and enrich us from poverty.)' Then he said: 'And it was said to him: 'Abdullah bin Jaḥsh (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet (ﷺ) one day and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, my heart is afflicted with uneasiness.' He said: 'Let us supplicate to Allah, the Most High.' So he said: 'O Allah, You are my Companion in the journey and my Successor in the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardship of the journey, and from seeing evil in my family and my wealth.' Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said to him: 'You should say: O Allah, forgive me my sins and fill my heart with awe of You and make me have recourse to the protection of Your remembrance, and the protection of Your overwhelming might, and the protection of Your pervasive mercy. O Allah, Knower of the unseen, You know best how to deal with me, so if my affair is in my path to destruction, then stop me from it, and if my affair is in my path to contentment, then give me contentment with it, and Your decree concerning me.' He said: 'He (i.e., the Prophet ﷺ) said to him: 'What was wrong with him?' He said: 'He was afflicted with uneasiness.' So he said to him: 'Recite: 'O Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth, Lord of the Great Throne, our Lord and the Lord of all things, the Revealer of the Torah, the Gospel and the Quran, verily I seek refuge in You from the evil of all things You are seizing by its forelock. O Allah, You are the First and there is nothing before You, the Last and there is nothing after You, the Apparent and there is nothing above You, the Hidden and there is nothing nearer than You. Settle my debt and enrich me from poverty.' (Note: The second part of this Hadith is often cited separately and is attributed to another companion. However, the core supplication for seeking refuge and relief from distress is consistent and taught by the Prophet ﷺ).