– B Reshma
While you are over embellished with your preparations for the preliminary step to face posterity, aligning it with a few simple steps to manage and reach our goals sternly.
Of course, Allah is the greatest of all planners. Yet, we have to foster ourselves towards it. NCERT has found in a survey that 80% of the students in classes 9-12 suffer from anxiety due to exams. A cross sectional survey of about 570 adolescents preparing for competitive exams was done in Karnataka state. The results were astonishing. Eighty-six per cent had high academic stress, 87% experience high parental pressure, 28.5% had moderately high anxiety. To handle such emotional turbulence to be self aware and to illuminate the soul here are some suggested Islamic measures: 1. Dhikr, 2. Muraqabah, 3. Tadabbur, and 4. Taffakur.
Dhikr is a major key. It is the most authentic Islamic meditation; when done with focus, you will get calmness and peace. You may repeat Subhan-Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar. “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28)
Muraqabah means deep awareness, mindful, observation, or watchfulness of the heart. The core of muraqabah is being constantly aware that Allah is watching you, guiding you and close to you.
How is it practised? Sit peacefully in a quiet place. Close your eyes. Breathe Gently. Remember Allah by heart. Let unwanted thought fade without fighting them. End with short dua. “And He is with you wherever you are.” (57:4)
Tadabbur is deep reflection, contemplation and thoughtful understanding of the Qur’an. It is not just reading the Qur’an, but thinking, questioning, analysing, and absorbing its meaning so it changes your heart and life. “This is a blessed book We sent down to you, so that they may reflect on its verses.” (38:29)
Practice: Read slowly. Check basic meaning. Ask questions (why, what). Reflect on it. Apply it. Make dua.
Taffakur is deep thinking, pondering and reflection on the Signs of Allah both the Qur’an, in the universe, and in one’s own personality. While Tadabbur is reflecting on the Qur’an, Taffakur is reflecting on the creation, life, experiences, nature and Allah’s Signs in and around you.
For instance, you see a sunrise, you feel stressed, you face hardship… you reflect!
Practice: Look at something in nature or concept you study. Breathe slowly. Think: what is Allah teaching me through this? End with Alhamdulillah.
The biggest blessings are often silence: peace, safety, clarity and a heart that remembers Allah. Gratitude is seeing Allah’s mercy in even the smallest detail of your day.
Every dua is heard and some are answered. Practise these measures. In Sha Allah you may bag success in your pockets. Let this exam be a stress-free one for all of us.
