With exam season upon us, and Ramadan just around the corner, it’s time to start revising for exams. Not just normal revising but revising in a way that will make you feel more at peace and increase the blessings in your studying.
Your parents
I know that not everyone has a great relationship with their parents but if you are lucky enough to have parents that truly care about your well-being, ask them to make du’a* for you. I cannot stress this enough. Be kind to them. Help them out when they ask for it, especially during Ramadan. I know during exam season everything so stressful and you may feel like snapping at them but trust me when I say that if you are good to your parents, your actions and their dua will go an extremely long way.
Music
Whilst revising, replace the music you listen to with Quran recitation. A lot of people will argue that they can only revise with music playing in the background but think of it this way; is something that Allah has banned for our own good really going to help us in the end? listening to music is not only a huge distraction but it will also only remove the blessings and reward you are gaining for seeking knowledge in the first place*. This will also make it easier to be cut off from it completely during Ramadan. An extension to this is to simply refrain from bad deeds in general (e.g backbiting, lying, swearing…)
Salah
If you’re someone who struggles with their salah*, now is the time to get into the habit of praying them. Please, please, please do not neglect your salah. I know exams are important, but in the end, your religion and Allah should come first. Also, it’s not as though those few minutes you’re sparing five times a day are a waste. If anything they will only contribute to your success. Similar to how it is with your parents, Allah’s blessings will help you so much. When you start to pray your five daily prayers start to pray them as soon as you possibly can. After that, perform as many nafl* salah as you can. It will be so rewarding in the end. It’s also important to note that putting your studies (or anything really) before Allah could be considered as shirk al-Asghar (minor shirk*).
Put in the effort
I know I’ve stressed on getting blessings from your parents and from Allah a lot, but at the end of the day, you will not get anywhere if you don’t put in the effort. Whilst it is imperative to seek as many blessings and reward as you can, Allah isn’t going to be able to help you unless you are deserving of it and help yourself first. Please try your best and seek help from Allah. That’s the only way you will succeed to the best of your ability.
Fasting
A majority of exams are going to be during Ramadan and believe me, I know how tempting it is to use exams as an excuse to not fast but please, make sure you fast this Ramadan. This struggle you will go through will benefit you in so many ways, one being increased barakah* in your answers. It will also help keep your mind clear and focused as when you’re fasting, insignificant and petty details seem to have no room in your mind. please do not let exams stop you from reaping the benefits of fasting.
(note: this does not apply if you are ill and feel as though you will literally pass out during the exam)
A few other reminders/tips
- Revise whilst spiritually clean (state of wudhu).
- Don’t stay up too late revising. go to sleep after praying isha and start revising after you’ve prayed Fajr.
- Always make du’a to Allah at every opportunity.
- Get into the habit of doing good deeds.
Duas for exams:
- رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِنْ لِسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
Rabb-ishrah li sadri, wa yassir li ‘amri, Wah-lul ‘uqdatam-min-li-saani, Yaf-qahuu qawlii
O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness); Ease my task for me; And remove the impediment from my speech, so they may understand what I say
- اللِّهُم انّفَعنِي بِمَا عَلَّمتَنِي وَ عَلِّمنِيِ مَا يَنفَعنِي
Allahumma infa’nii bimaa ‘allamtanii wa’allimnii maa yanfa’ unii
O Allah! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me.
- رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًا x3
Rabbi zidni ilmaO my Lord! Increase me in knowledge and true understanding.
O my Lord! Increase me in knowledge and true understanding.
- اللهُمَّ لا سَهْلَ إلا مَا جَعَلتَهُ سَهْلا وَ أنتَ تَجْعَلُ الحزْنَ إذا شِئْتَ سَهْلا
Allahumma la sahla illa ma ja’altahu sahla, wa ‘anta taj-alul hazna idha shi’ta sahla
“O Allah! There is nothing easy except what You make easy, and You make the difficult easy if it be Your Will.”
Definitions
*Dua – Supplication
*“Reward you are gaining for seeking knowledge in the first place” – You are literally being rewarded for learning (“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”-(Al-Tirmidhi))
*Salah – Prayer
*Nafl – Optional
*Shirk – Associating partners with Allah (the only sin that will not be forgiven unless you repent)
*Barakah – Blessings
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