Musa (AS) said these words before confronting Pharaoh: opening his chest, easing his task, untying his tongue. The same du'a works for every job interview, presentation, exam, or difficult conversation you walk into.
Rabbana afrigh 'alayna sabran, wa thabbit aqdamana, wa-nsurna 'ala-l-qawmi-l-kafirin.
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience, steady our steps, and help us against the disbelieving people.”
The du'a of Talut's small band before facing Jalut's army. For when the odds are stacked against you.
Rabbi-shrah li sadri, wa yassir li amri, wa-hlul 'uqdatan min lisani, yafqahu qawli.
“My Lord, expand for me my chest, ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue so they may understand my speech.”
Musa's prayer for calm, an easier task, clear speech, and words that people can understand. It is especially relevant before an exam, interview, presentation, difficult conversation, or public speaking.
Hasbunallahu wa ni'ma-l-wakeel.
“Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.”
What Ibrahim (AS) said when thrown into the fire, and what the believers said when an army was being marched against them. The knock that opens every locked door.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi-'ilmik, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratik, wa as'aluka min fadlika-l-'adheem. Fa-innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa Anta 'Allamu-l-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-l-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, fa-qdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-l-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri, fa-srifhu 'anni wa-srifni 'anhu, wa-qdur liya-l-khayra haythu kana thumma ardini bih.
“O Allah, I seek the good through Your knowledge and ability through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. You are able and I am not; You know and I do not; You know the unseen. O Allah, if You know this matter is good for my religion, livelihood, and outcome, decree it for me, make it easy, and bless it for me. If You know it is harmful for my religion, livelihood, and outcome, turn it away from me and turn me away from it. Decree the good for me wherever it is, then make me content with it.”
Istikhara asks Allah (SWT), who knows what you cannot know, to facilitate a choice if it is good and turn both you and the choice away from each other if it is harmful.
Allahumma alhimni rushdi, wa a'idhni min sharri nafsi.
“O Allah, inspire me with sound guidance, and protect me from the evil of my own soul.”
A compact request for sound judgement and protection from the impulses, bias, and desires within yourself that can distort a decision.