Rabbish rahli sadri, the dua of Musa.

Rabbish rahli sadri, wa yassir li amri, wahlul uqdatan min lisani, yafqahu qawli means "My Lord, expand my chest for me, make my task easy for me, and untie the knot from my tongue, so they may understand my speech" (Quran 20:25-28).

The story

Allah told Musa to go to Pharaoh, the most powerful tyrant of his time. Musa did not ask to be spared. He asked for a calm, open heart, an easy path and clear speech, and then asked that his brother Harun help him (20:29-32). Allah answered: "You have been granted your request, O Moses" (20:36).

What each line asks for

• Rabbish rahli sadri: expand my chest, meaning give me calm, courage and room to bear the task.
• Wa yassir li amri: make my affair easy.
• Wahlul uqdatan min lisani: untie the knot from my tongue. Musa had difficulty with speech.
• Yafqahu qawli: so that they understand what I say.

When to say it

Muslims say it before an exam, a presentation, a job interview, teaching, giving a talk or a difficult conversation. There is no hadith fixing it for these times. It is a Quranic dua that fits them well, and you can make it whenever you need its meaning. See also the dua for exams.

How to use it

Say the four ayat in Arabic, then ask Allah in your own words for what you need: calm, a clear mind, the right words. Musa did not stop at his own need. He went on to ask for his brother Harun to support him (20:29-32), so it is also a reminder to ask for good people around you.

A related dua

For knowledge, the Quran also teaches "Rabbi zidni ilma", "My Lord, increase me in knowledge" (Quran 20:114), in the same surah.

Spellings

Rabbish rahli sadri, rabbi shrah li sadri, rabbishrahli sadri and rabbi ishrah li sadri are the same dua. The joined "rabbish" comes from linking rabbi and ishrah.

1. Quran 20:25-36 and 20:114, translation by Sahih International.