Request a du'a for exams at Al-Aqsa, made by name. Who should ask, how to word it for students and parents, and what the du'a does not promise.
The week before an exam has a particular sound: pages turning, a parent in the doorway asking if there is anything needed. If you are that student, or that parent, and you would like a du'a to be made for the exam at Al-Aqsa Mosque, this page explains how to request it.
A quick note on how the two pages on this subject fit together. This one is about the request. The words of the du'a, such as the du'a for opening a difficult matter and the du'a of Musa (peace be upon him) for an easy speech, are in the guide Du'a for Exam Success, with their sources. Read that to learn what to say yourself.
Who asks, and for whom
A student for themselves. University finals, a national exam, a driving test, a language certificate.
A parent for a child. Often the most common case, and the most heartfelt.
A teacher or a sibling. Someone who has watched the studying and wants to do one more thing.
The student need not be told. If a teenager is nervous, a parent may prefer to send the request quietly and share the video after the exam.
The steps, in the order they happen
1. Choose a package on the prayer page.
2. Pay by Stripe or PayPal.
3. Fill in the names form: the name of the person sitting the exam, and the intention.
4. The du'a is made by name at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
5. The video arrives by email, usually within 48 to 72 hours.
Timing matters for exams. Order early enough that the video can reach you before the exam day if possible, and do not leave it to the night before. If you need to cancel, contact us before work on the order begins and we will review a cancellation or full refund. See the refund policy.
Writing the intention: what helps, what does not
An exam intention is best when it asks for something Allah may grant and a student can work with: focus, calm, memory, ease. It is weaker when it demands a particular grade.
Examples that read well:
For Hana, sitting her medical entrance exam on 3 November. Ease, a clear mind, and a result that is good for her.
For my son Ali, who has worked hard all term and panics in the exam room. Calm, and recall of what he has learned.
For myself. Barakah in my final week of revision, and ease with the questions.
The phrase "a result that is good for her" is deliberate. It keeps the request honest: we do not know what is best, and the Prophet ﷺ taught asking for what is good in the istikhara du'a (Bukhari 6382).
What you receive, and what you should not expect
A video of the du'a made at Al-Aqsa, with the name you gave. That is the full offer.
Nothing in it replaces study. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Strive for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not give up" (Sahih Muslim 2664). The du'a is the "seek help from Allah" part. The striving is still the student's. And no pass mark is promised: answering is with Allah alone.
Short texts for the exam room
Three that fit the situation, all covered in more depth in the exam guide:
«وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا» (Quran 20:114)
«اللَّهُمَّ لاَ سَهْلَ إِلاَّ مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلاً، وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلاً» (Ibn Hibban 974, graded sahih by al-Albani in al-Silsila al-Sahiha 2886)
And the hadith that frames the request itself: the Prophet ﷺ said that a Muslim's du'a for his brother in his absence is answered, with an angel saying "Amin, and the same for you" (Muslim 2733). The Prophet ﷺ also told Umar to ask Uways al-Qarni to seek forgiveness for him (Muslim 2542), which is why asking someone else to make du'a is a recognised practice.
What the student can add
The du'a of Musa (peace be upon him) before facing Pharaoh is a favourite among students, and with reason. It asks for an open chest, an easy task and a loosened tongue, so that people understand: «رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي» (Quran 20:25-28). It fits an oral exam especially.
The Prophet ﷺ also said that whoever takes a path seeking knowledge, Allah eases for him a path to Paradise (Muslim 2699). The student is already on that path. The request at Al-Aqsa is one more help along it.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Should I order before the exam or after?
Before. The video usually arrives within 48 to 72 hours, so plan a few days ahead if you want it in hand.
Can a parent request for a child who is an adult?
Yes. Give the name and the exam, and share the video if the student is happy to receive it.
What if I need the du'a for several siblings?
The names form takes each person's name and intention separately, so each can have a line suited to their exam.
Is it acceptable to ask for a specific grade?
It is better to ask for ease, focus and a good result. The Prophet ﷺ taught asking Allah for what is best (Bukhari 6382), because we do not see the outcome.
What do I recite myself while revising?
See [Du'a for Exam Success](/blog/dua-for-exam-success) for the texts with their sources.
Can I cancel if the exam is postponed?
Contact us before work on the order begins and a cancellation or full refund can be reviewed. The details are in the [refund policy](/refund-policy).
Request an Exam Du'a, Made by Name at Al-Aqsa
The du'a is made by name at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the video usually arrives by email within 48-72 hours.
Request an Exam Du'a