اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا يُسْمَعُ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear You, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a prayer that is not answered.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'
When to Read
This dua is excellent to recite before an exam, or even daily, to seek Allah's protection against harmful knowledge, or knowledge that leads to wrong actions. It also encompasses seeking refuge from a heart that is heedless, a greedy soul, and prayers that go unanswered, all of which can indirectly lead to temptation for dishonesty. Recite it with sincerity as you prepare for your exams, or right before you start.
How to Read
Raise your hands in supplication if possible, facing the Qiblah. Recite with heartfelt sincerity and conviction, focusing on the meaning of each phrase and truly seeking Allah's protection. It's beneficial to pause and reflect on each part of the dua. You can repeat it three times for added emphasis, as was the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking refuge in Allah from useless knowledge is crucial in exams. Useless knowledge, in this context, can also refer to knowledge that is acquired without barakah (blessing) or that leads one astray. By reciting this, we ask Allah to grant us beneficial knowledge that serves us in this life and the next, and to protect us from the temptation to use dishonest means to gain marks when our knowledge is insufficient. It also reminds us of the importance of a humble and content heart, which is less likely to resort to cheating.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Zayd ibn Arqam that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear You, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a prayer that is not answered.'