اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا، وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, good provision, and deeds that are accepted.
Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan.
When to Read
Recite this dua before starting your exam, and at any point during the exam when you feel uncertain about a question or are faced with multiple choices. You can also make it a habit to recite it during your study sessions.
How to Read
Recite with sincerity and focus, visualizing Allah's knowledge and guidance encompassing your mind. Imagine the words entering your heart and strengthening your resolve. It's recommended to raise your hands slightly if reciting this dua during a quiet moment, and to begin by praising Allah and sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, seeks three crucial elements: beneficial knowledge ('ilman nafi'an), which equips you not just for the exam but for life; good provision (rizqan tayyiban), signifying sustenance that is pure and lawful; and accepted deeds ('amalan mutaqabbalan), meaning your efforts are acknowledged and rewarded by Allah. By asking for beneficial knowledge, you are directly seeking Allah's help in understanding, retaining, and applying what you have learned, which is precisely what's needed to choose correct answers. The acceptance of deeds implies that your hard work and sincere effort in studying, coupled with this dua, will be recognized by Allah.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated that Umm Salamah said: "The Prophet ﷺ, when he said the salaam at the end of the prayer, would say: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan.' (O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, good provision, and deeds that are accepted.)" (Sunan Ibn Majah 925). This narration is about the supplication after the prayer, but the essence of asking Allah for beneficial knowledge is universally applicable, especially when facing a task requiring accurate recall and application of knowledge, like an exam. The context here is adapted to the specific need of choosing correct answers, by focusing on the 'beneficial knowledge' aspect.