Dua for Exams & Knowledge
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” The Arabic, how to say it, when to read it, and its source.
رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
- Transliteration
- Rabbi zidnī ʿilmā
- Meaning
- My Lord, increase me in knowledge.
- Source
- Quran 20:114
When to say it
- Before studying or an exam
- At the start of a class or lecture
- When reading the Quran or learning something new
About this dua
Allah commands the Prophet ﷺ in the Quran to say this short dua (Quran 20:114). It is the only thing the Prophet ﷺ was told to ask for more of, which shows the value of knowledge.
Pair it with the dua of Musa for ease before an exam, and with real effort: dua and preparation go together.
Quran and hadith references link to quran.com and sunnah.com. Reviewed 19 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
More duas
Dua for SuccessQuran 20:25–26Dua for Anxiety & WorrySahih al-Bukhari 6369Dua for Rizq (Halal Provision)Sunan Ibn Majah 925Dua for ForgivenessQuran 7:23Dua for ParentsQuran 17:24Dua for Spouse & ChildrenQuran 25:74Dua Before SleepingSahih al-Bukhari 6324Dua When It RainsSahih al-Bukhari 1032Rabbana Atina (Good in Both Worlds)Quran 2:201
Frequently asked questions
What is the dua for exams & knowledge?
Rabbi zidnī ʿilmā: “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Quran 20:114).
Is this dua authentic?
Yes. It is from Quran 20:114. The source is linked on this page so you can check it.