Short and Beneficial Advices for Students Sitting in Exams

By Shaykhul-Hadith, Hadrat Mawlana Muhammad Saleem Dhorat damat barakatuhum

Work hard to achieve the highest possible grades. You will not be able to reach great heights without putting effort into your studies.
Manage your time appropriately by making a timetable and a revision plan. Adequate time should be allocated for exam preparation and also for resting and eating, as the mind is not able to function efficiently without sufficient rest and food.
Whilst acknowledging that your efforts and preparations alone cannot guarantee success without the Help of Allah ta‘ala, turn to Him with utmost humility. Make du‘a yourself and request your parents, the ‘Ulama and pious to make du‘a for you too.
Repent and abstain from every disobedience to Allah ta‘ala. This is the most important advice as any sort of disobedience will incur the Displeasure of Allah ta‘ala and close the doors of His Help.
Recite Surah Yasin in the morning of the exam. It has been narrated that Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, ‘Whoever recites Surah Yasin in the morning, his needs will be fulfilled.’ (Sunanud-Darimi)
Perform two raka‘at of salah before leaving for the exam. Allah ta‘ala says, ‘Seek help with salah and patience.’ (2:45)
Give sadaqah (charity) according to your capacity, even it is as little as 10p, 20p or 50p.
Whenever the examinations make you worry, recite the following:

ياارحم الراحمين

ياحي ياقيوم برحمتك استغيث

حسبنا ونعم الوكيل

O The Most-Merciful of the merciful! O the Ever-Living! O the Sustainer (of all)! Only through Your Mercy do I seek help. Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best one in Whom to trust.

Begin the exam paper with bismillah and salat ‘alan-Nabi. If you get stuck on any question during the exam, then before giving more thought to the question, recite two or three times a short formula of salat ‘alan-Nabi such as sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam or Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad. Salat ‘alan-Nabi creates ease and provides a solution for every problem.
Show gratitude to Allah ta‘ala for whatever you were able to write by performing two raka’at after the exam.
If the exam does not go as well as you desired, then do not become despondent. Remain content with the Decree of Allah ta‘ala regarding your exam results and remember that He is the Most-Wise. Insha’allah, your efforts along with your obedience to Allah ta‘ala will, sooner or later, bring success.

I pray that Allah grant all the students barakah in their studies, success in their examinations and make them true ambassadors of Islam. Amin.