لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
None has the right to be worshipped but You; glory to You! Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.
La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin
When to Read
This powerful supplication is ideal to recite before, during, or after an exam when you find yourself struggling to recall information. It's particularly useful when you feel stuck or have forgotten an answer. You can also make this dua in any difficult situation where you feel overwhelmed and have wronged yourself through negligence or mistakes.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere belief and conviction in Allah's power to alleviate your distress. Focus on the meaning of the words: acknowledging Allah's oneness, glorifying Him, and confessing your own shortcomings, which implicitly asks for His mercy and help. Make a personal dua alongside it, specifically asking Allah to open your mind and grant you the ability to remember the correct answers for your exam. It is best recited when you are in a state of focus and humility, perhaps after performing wudu.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'The dua of Dhul-Nun (Prophet Yunus) when he called out to his Lord from the belly of the whale was: "None has the right to be worshipped but You; glory to You! Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers." (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:87). Then he said: "No servant calls upon him in this, but Allah will answer him."' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3505). This hadith highlights that this dua is guaranteed to be answered by Allah. While it was originally made in a dire situation of immense distress, its wording is so comprehensive that it encompasses seeking help in all times of need, including academic struggles. By acknowledging Allah's uniqueness and perfection, and admitting our own faults, we are opening the door for His boundless mercy and assistance to reach us, helping us overcome the 'darkness' of forgetting.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'The dua of Dhul-Nun (Yunus) which he made when he was in the belly of the whale: "La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, inni kuntu minaz-zalimin." (There is no god but You, glory to You, indeed I was of the wrongdoers). So indeed, no man mentions this in anything, but Allah will answer him from among what is in the earth and what is in the heaven.' It was narrated from Sa'd that he said: 'The Prophet ﷺ taught us these words as he taught us a Surah from the Qur'an. He said: "Indeed, Sa'd himself narrated to us from the Prophet ﷺ: 'The best supplication is the supplication of Dhul-Nun.'" (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3505). The Quranic verse referred to is Al-Anbiya 21:87.