Exams can be extremely stressful. Being fully prepared is important to succeed!

Anything done in accordance with Allah’s Law and the Sunnah (way) of His Beloved Messenger Muhammad ﷺ is classified as Ibadah (worship)! A Muslim student puts his trust in Allah ﷻ when facing the tests of this world and seeks Allah’s help whilst following the prescribed means. While preparing himself fully in every permissible way for the exams that lie ahead, he should always endeavour to be obedient to the Commands of Allah ﷻ.

Here are some useful tips to assist in preparing for the exams:

We`ve broken it down into two categories:

1. Before Exams
2. During Exams

Before the Exams:

How to Obtain the Help of Allah?

• Turn to Allah ﷻ by making duaa in any way that is prescribed in Islam. Duaa is an extremely important tool to attain the desired results and more importantly the help of Allah.
• Recite the duaa for leaving the house:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْـتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُـوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ.

In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah. [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi]

اَللَّهُـمَّ إِنِّي أَعُـوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِـلَّ أَوْ أُضَـلَّ، أَوْ أَزِلَّ أَوْ أُزَلَّ، أَوْ أَظْلِـمَ أَوْ أَظْلَـمَ، أَوْ أَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُـجْهَلَ عَلَـيَّ .

Allah, I take refuge with You lest I should stray or be led astray, or slip or be tripped, or oppress or be oppressed, or behave foolishly or be treated foolishly.’ slip: i.e. to commit a sin unintentionally. [Tirmidhi]

• Mention the name of Allah ﷻ before you start, for mentioning the name of Allah ﷻ is prescribed when beginning any permissible action; this brings blessings, and seeking the help of Allah ﷻ is one of the means of strength.
• Remembering Allah ﷻ (dhikr) dispels anxiety and tension. If something is too difficult for you, then pray to Allah ﷻ to make it easy for you. Reading Surah Yaseen in the early part of the day brings blessings for the rest of the day!
• Perform 2 rakaats salaah and ask Allah ﷻ to make it easy for you. Two rakaats of Salatul Haajat is an excellent means of having your needs fulfilled!

Remember that as a Muslim our entire life revolves around our Ibadah and worship of Allah ﷻ, and even more it revolves around our Salaah. So there will be some hard days and long nights, but we should never allow ourselves to miss our Salaah! Be punctual, be consistent, and see how the help of Allah ﷻ will always be with you.

Tomorrow we will focus on the tips during the exams, in sha Allah.