I recently gave a residency entrance test exam and I failed and this is like the 5th time I have failed since graduation. I don’t remember asking Allah for anything as much as I prayed fo this one exam and I swear I am sooo tired, it is like I have a really bad naseeb or Allah is angry at me for something I did, when I was preparing i repented so much bcs I knew Allah accepts your prayers when you seek forgiveness. I am good to my parents and people around me (their words) and I try my best to not hurt anyone or offend them. I am jobless for 6 months now and i can’t stop comparing myself to my peers, same college, same competence, going to give exam just to see how the pattern is without any prep and still passing, still getting their ways. I really want to know is this it? Would I never get more than this? Bcs i am tired, Had only one wish, to be better in this field of mine never asked Allah for a man or millions of rupees or fame, this is ONE thing I asked for, to be independent, atleast to support me giving my exams, it isn’t even much but the thing i can’t even afford pkr 25000, like i failed once now i would have to appear again and reapply and i have ran out of funds to support myself and I don’t want to ask anyone for money or help I HATE IT. It sends me into a spiral when i have to ask someone for money. What am I doing wronggg? How can I improve my naseeb?
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Response from a “Fatima Counselor”:
Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
I can hear that you are exhausted and in anguish. You’ve worked hard, sincerely prayed and repented and still face repeated disappointment. When our results don’t match up to the result that we expected, it can feel crushing. On top of that, when we feel that we are the only ones going through this struggle, it can compound the pain.
Right now, your mind is telling you that if you did everything in your power, and the outcome did not reflect your expectation then that means that Allah (swt) is angry with you, and you are ‘badnaseeb’ or ill-fated.
Let’s put this thought on trial and see if this is based on absolute truth or if this is coming from our fears, unrealistic expectations, or even whisperings of the shaytan? Ask yourself, “Can I be 100% sure that not passing my exams means that I am ill-fated or Allah (swt) is angry with me?” If you’re not 100% sure, then that means there is space for other possibilities.
Let’s think about another way that we can view this situation. We know that our beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (pbuh) said, “When Allah loves a servant, He tests him.” Tests are not always punishments, in fact, a wise scholar stated that a litmus test for whether we are punished or being strengthened is if we grow closer to Allah or we become distant. You described doing more du’a and seeking forgiveness.
When it comes to du’as, the Prophet (pbuh) said, “There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah, within which is no sin or cutting family ties, but that Allah will give him one of three answers: He will quickly fulfill his supplication, He will store it for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an evil from him similar to it.” Source: Musnad Ahmad 11133, Jayyid
Taking this hadith and other Islamic knowledge, Shaykh Muhammad alShareef of alMaghrib Institute taught in his du’a class that Allah (swt) answers “Yes” to all sincere, good intentioned du’as in three ways: 1. Yes, you get what you asked for 2. Yes, but not now 3. Yes, but I have something better for you. I invite you to open and soothe your heart with this knowledge that Al-Wadud, The Most Loving is not going to let your efforts and du’a go unseen but will answer it at the perfect timing and perhaps with something more honorable, with more financial independence.
Your dislike and perhaps anxiety about asking for help is understandable. You value being independent, but sometimes refusing all help can isolate us. Asking for help in hardship can be a means for strengthening relationships by inviting others to show their support and a chance for them to gain reward. You may even come across some helpful perspective and advice. Your focus has been to change your destiny through prayer, repentance, and good deeds. Sometimes, small, practical shifts may contribute to improving performance. For example, perhaps getting a break to recoup from mental and emotional strength through rest and connection may help since fatigue can reduce recall and problem-solving abilities. If you are someone who experiences testing anxiety, learning to manage stress may be helpful. Identify your specific learning style. Some people retain better by teaching concepts aloud to others or through visual aids rather than rote memorization.
This is not the end of your story, and your worth is not determined by exam results. We can choose to look at this as a difficult page or chapter in your life, and we have yet to see the coming chapters that Al-Wahhab, The Giver of Gifts, has planned for you.
From the heart,
“Fatima SA”
Response from an additional “Fatima Counselor”:
Assalamualaikum warahmathullahi wabarakathuhu my dear Sister I hear the frustration and exhaustion in every word, and I also hear the sincerity in how you’ve been turning to Allah, trying to repent, trying to be good to others, and staying within your values. I want to tell you something important before anything else: failing an exam multiple times is not proof that Allah is angry at you, nor that your naseeb is “bad”. In Islam, success and failure are “Tests” both can be a sign of Allah’s love, depending on how we respond…. Sometimes what we see as delay or denial is actually Allah’s way of preparing us for something we can’t yet see. This isn’t just a nice saying ,it’s part of our rizq (including success in career) comes exactly at the time Allah has written, not a second earlier or later.But knowing this doesn’t take away the pain you feel right now , I can understand that… Your naseeb is not fixed by your past mistakes alone.Naseeb is written by Allah before we are born, but du’a, charity and striving can change aspects of our destiny.This means you are not stuck. Your current reality is not your final story. Allah might be protecting you from something you can’t yet see.Maybe the residency program you wanted wasn’t the healthiest environment for you, or maybe Allah is delaying to place you somewhere far better.The delay doesn’t mean rejection. It means redirection!! You’ve prayed so much that is already a sign Allah loves to hear from you. Du’a isn’t wasted; even if you don’t get this exact thing now, you will see its effect in this Dunya or Hereafter.Keep repenting, but also thank Allah daily for even small things. Gratitude can open doors that effort alone cannot.Right now, the combination of repeated failure and financial strain is making the test feel bigger than it is. Try to stabilize your income. Even if it’s not your dream job, get something part-time or temporary so you’re not relying on anyone for basic needs or exam fees. For example tutoring, online consultation, part-time clinical assistant work, medical transcription, health content writing even outside pure medicine.You don’t have to announce it to people this is about giving yourself breathing room . If you’ve failed multiple times despite working hard, it’s likely not a question of intelligence , try to change the method. Consider Studying with someone who already passed. Stop giving power to comparisons.Some of your peers might have support systems, money, or luck you can’t see but that doesn’t make your worth smaller. You can improve your naseeb by: Keeping your trust in Allah’s timing.Protecting your heart from comparison and hopelessness.This plan isn’t magic, but it gives you power in three areas you currently feel helpless in your connection with Allah, your financial independence, and your exam preparation.That combination is what can truly shift your naseeb’s visible outcome. In Shaa Allah!! Warm regards, From your Sister in Islam,
“Fatima MV”
Response from your friend at Stones to Bridges:
Salaam dear sister, I hear you and it sounds like you’re going through a whirlwind of emotions. You feel confused, hurt, exhausted and likely many more emotions than this. When things don’t unfold the way we want or expect, it’s natural that we feel disappointed by it, but it’s important to remember that just because we do good, it doesn’t qualify us to receive what we desire. Allah is Al-Wahb, The One Who gives and gives and does not ask us to give us things to Him in return. We don’t have a transactional relationship with Allah (SWT). Even Allah tells us that our righteousness is for ourselves. Allah gives us what we need to survive in this world, but He (SWT) is free from any need. There are many people in the world today who receive good things but their actions towards themselves and others are far from good. What Allah gives to us or others is from His Wisdom and from time to time, we don’t receive what we want because it actually isn’t good for us. Sometimes people push so hard on one door without realizing that there is another door that is open and waiting for them. Perhaps your rizq hasn’t been written where you thought but it could be somewhere around the corner. I know it may feel difficult but try to remember that Allah (SWT) wants the best for you and that no matter what He Sees, Hears and Knows of your struggles. May Allah make this stage of your journey through life easy and grant you the best in this life and the next, ameen. All the Best, Your Sister in Faith, Peer Support Volunteer, NL
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