لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
There is no god but You; glory be to You! Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.
La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka, inni kuntu minaz-zalimin
When to Read
Recite this dua sincerely when you feel your mind going blank during an exam or when you're struggling to recall information you've studied. It's also beneficial to recite it before the exam starts, asking Allah to grant you clarity and a strong memory.
How to Read
Recite with full conviction and sincerity, focusing on the meaning of the words. Understand that you are turning to Allah in a moment of need, acknowledging His power and your own shortcomings. Raise your hands (if possible and appropriate for the setting) while making the dua, as this is a sunnah when asking Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a powerful supplication that Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) made when he was in great distress in the belly of the whale. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said about it: 'No Muslim supplicates with this dua in anything, but Allah responds to him.' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3505). While the primary context is extreme distress, scholars have understood its general efficacy in times of need, including recalling knowledge. It's a recognition of Allah's oneness, a glorification of Him, and an admission of one's own faults, all of which are potent elements of a sincere dua.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him): 'The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When any servant of Allah is afflicted with distress and grief, and he says: 'O Allah, I am Your servant, son of Your servant, son of Your handmaid, my forelock is in Your hand, Your judgment on me is inevitable, Your decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every name that You have called Yourself with, or You have taught to anyone from Your creation, or You have revealed in Your Book, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You, that You make the Qur'an the delight of my heart, the light of my chest, the banisher of my sadness, and the driver away of my anxieties.' - Allah will take away his distress and grief, and replace them with joy." The Companions said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Should we learn these words?' He said: 'Yes, it is essential for everyone who hears them to learn them.'" (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3504). The following hadith discusses the dua of Yunus (AS): Narrated by Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The dua of Dhu'n-Nun (Prophet Yunus) when he called out from the belly of the whale was: 'La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka, inni kuntu minaz-zalimin' (There is no god but You; glory be to You! Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers). Verily no Muslim supplicates in these words in response to anything, but Allah would answer him.' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3505, Sahih Ibn Hibban 902)