The Duas I Say For Hardship and Distress
This is part 4 of my Dua Series: The Duas I . You can read Part 1 - Why I Love Dua As A Muslim, Part 2 - How To Get Your Duas Accepted, and Part 3 - How I Start And End My Day With Dua.
Everything in our lives that the Almighty decides for us is perfect and balanced. Allah SWT knows the wisdom behind why we are tested with adversity, and it is sometimes disclosed to us, but we need hindsight to see it. As believers, and especially when we become knowledgeable about our deen, we begin to understand that whatever Allah SWT chooses for us is the best. We recognize that everything in life—good and bad, pleasing and displeasing—is a test. Therefore, we should never lose hope because of the adversity we face.
We need to accept that these trials are either:
An expiation for our sins.
A means of raising our status in the sight of our Lord.
It can be a form of spiritual elevation.
A means of attaining closeness to Allah SWT.
It may be needed for us to grow as human beings.
The scholars have mentioned that our trials are:
Filled with subtle blessings that we do not perceive, but are nevertheless there.
That we should put our trust in Allah SWT and accept His decree while fully striving to alleviate our difficult situation.
That we should focus on being content with Allah’s Qadr by seeking His reward and remaining steadfast in our faith.
Reminding ourselves that our situation could always be so much worse.
Remembering that the tribulations and sufferings in this world are pale compared to the eternity and what will befall us after death.
Sometimes, the suffering in this world can be a guide of how little we will be able to bear the sufferings of the next world.
Allah SWT Says:
“Perhaps you may hate something, yet it proves better for you” (Quran 2:216).
The Prophet SAW confirmed this when he said:
“How amazing is the believer’s affair! Allah decrees nothing for the servant except that it is good for him.” - (Ahmed)
The Sahaba, Hadrat Umar R.A. highlighted some the blessings of trials when he said,
“I was never afflicted with a trial except that with it Allah gave me four blessings: it was not in my religion; I was not barred from being content; it was not worse than it was; and I hoped for reward through it.”
Ibn Al-Qayyim defined dua as:
“Asking what is of benefit to the person, and asking the removal of what is harming him, or the repelling of it (before it inflicts him).
Yasir Qadhi mentions in his famous book, Du’a The Weapon of the Believer:
“How great is the Mercy of Allah, Who has given the weakest of the weak a weapon with which he can fight the greatest tyrant and oppressor! For dua is a weapon that everyone can afford to possess, and no one needs to be taught how to use it. The dua of the oppressed, and the one who has been wronged, is of surety answered.”
Allah SWT grants us justice against any oppressor, assuring us that the oppressed's dua is answered, even if the oppressed is a disbeliever! If more people adhered to this, they would be very afraid of abusing another person. The Prophet SAW mentioned:
“Allah says, ‘Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he is an unbeliever, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.’” - Ahmad
Prophetic Supplications for Hardship and Trials
I want to share the duas that I have incorporated into my daily morning and evening adkhar that have been life-changing! I cannot imagine living without saying them, and my only regret is that I did not know them sooner. Though I always feel better about that when I remember that I can teach my children the benefits of dua so they can incorporate it earlier than I did, alhumdulillah.
Dua #1
This dua is to safeguard us from despair, sadness, anxiety, sloth, and low iman. I make this supplication every day, unless I forget. The Prophet PBUH would consistently make this dua, and many of the Companions heard him repeat it over and over again.
I love to say this dua, especially during times when our finances are tight, I'm stressed or depressed, my iman needs a boost, and if someone is not treating me fairly. I have seen the benefit of this dua, and it is one of my absolute favorites!
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi, wal-Ḥuzni wal-‘ajazi wal-kasli wal-bukhli wal-jubni wa ḍala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal.
“O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men.” (Bukhari)
Dua #2
This supplication, along with Dua #1, is the perfect duo for times of debt and job loss. When we hit financial difficulty in our lives, we feel anxious and worried.
I speak from experience when I say that dua #1 and dua #2 read daily, have helped my family through tough years of financial strain. This is how amazing the power of dua is, subhanallah!
اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلاَلِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ، وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكِ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ
Allaahummak-finee bihalaalika 'an haraamika wa 'aghninee bifadhlika 'amman siwaaka.
“O Allah, suffice me with what You have allowed instead of what You have forbidden, and make me independent of all others besides You.” (Tirmidhi)
Dua #3
This dua is one of the supplications of the distressed. The Prophet SAW advised his daughter, Fatima RA, to say it in the morning and evening.
You are asking Allah SWT not to leave you to yourself because when you put your trust in Him, your affairs will be okay. You may make mistakes, be led by your desires, or lack wisdom, so you ask the One who constantly manages the affairs of the world not to leave you to your own devices.
If you are in distress, you should be hopeful of Allah's mercy and expect that He will take care of all your problems. Knowing that in itself brings me relief immediately—what’s better than that?
اللَّهُمَّ رَحْمَتَكَ أَرْجُو فَلَا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَا أَنْتَ
Allahumma rahmataka arju fala takilni ila nafsi tarfata ‘aynin wa aslih li sha’ni kullahu la ilaha ila anta
“O Allah, I hope for Your mercy. Do not leave me to myself even for a blink of an eye. Correct all of my affairs for me. There is none worthy of worship except You.”
Dua #4
A beautiful dua to ask our merciful Lord to make our affairs easy. I love to say this dua as it helps me to handle the tough day-to-day tasks of parenting and the never-ending list of chores and responsibilities we do all day long.
اللّهُمَّ لا سَهْلَ إلا ما جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلا وَأنتَ تَجْعَلُ الحَزْنَ إذا شِئْتَ سَهْلا
Allahumma la sahla illa maa ja’altahu sahlan, wa Anta taj’alu l-hazna idha shi’ta sahla.
“O Allah! There is no ease except that which You make easy, and indeed You, when You want, make difficulties easy.” - (Sahih Ibn Hibban)
Dua #5
The Prophet PBUH would say this dua when in distress. I love it because it verifies my belief that Allah is the Only One in charge and that the actions of others are only permitted by His will. I’m reminded that He Knows best why things occur and we do not.
لا إلهَ إلا اللهُ العَليمُ الحَليم لا إلهَ إلا اللهُ ربُّ العَرْشِ العَظِيْم لا إلهَ إلا اللهُ ربُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَرَبُّ الأَرْضِ ربُّ العَرْشِ الكَرِيْم
La ilaha illa Allahu l-Alimu l-Halim. La ilaha illa Allahu Rabbu l-Arshi l-Azim. La ilaha illa Allahu Rabbu s-samawati wa Rabbu l-ardi wa Rabbu l-Arshi l-Karim.
“There is no deity but Allah, the Knowing, the Clement. There is no deity but Allah, Lord of the Magnificent Throne. There is no deity but Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth and Lord of the Noble Throne.” - (Bukhari)
Dua #6
The Prophet PBUH said:
“There is no one who says in the morning of every day and the evening of every night ‘In the name of Allah with Whose name nothing can harm on earth or in heaven, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing)’, three times but nothing will harm him.” - (Abu Dawood)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لاَ يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَىْءٌ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma’as-mihi shai’un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama’i, wa Huwas-Sami’ul-‘Alim
“In the name of Allah with whose Name nothing on earth or in Heaven harms and He is the All-Hearing the All-Knowing.”
Dua #7
I truly adore the simplicity of this dua. It reminds me to put my trust completely in Allah and keeps my heart strong. I know that my love for Him is enough and completes me like no human love can.
This is a beautiful dua to say when someone hurts you or you are suffering from heartache because you are reminded that only Allah SWT never disappoints.
حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لَآ إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ
Hasbiyallaahu laa 'ilaaha 'illaa Huwa 'alayhi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabbul- 'Arshil -'Adheem
“Allah is sufficient for me. There is none worthy of worship but Him. I have placed my trust in Him, He is Lord of the Majestic Throne.” (Sahih)
Dua #8
A reminder that we vulnerable beings and are only successful by the Grace of Allah SWT. Only he can take us out of our plights and make our lives better.
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ، اللَّهُمَّ أْجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيبَتِي، وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْراً مِنْهَا
‘Innaa lillaahi wa 'innaa 'ilayhi raaji'oon, Allaahumma'-jurni fee museebatee wa 'akhliflee khayran minhaa.
“We are from Allah and unto Him we return. O Allah take me out of my plight and bring to me after it something better.”
Dua #9
Allah SWT needs none to sustain Him and He is the One who sustains all things at all times and in every way.
Saying this dua is to seek relief, assistance, and salvation from danger or distress. When the Prophet PBUH would be afflicted with a stressful trial, he would say,
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْث
Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum! Bi rahmatika astagheeth!
“O Living and Eternal Sustainer! By Your mercy I seek relief!” - (Tirmidhi)
Dua #10
I love this dua because it gives my heart peace as I am reminded that I should feel contentment from my blessings and I am asking Allah SWT to give me better than I have.
اللّهُمَّ قَنِّعْنِيْ بِمَا رَزَقْتَنِيْ ، وَبَارِكْ لِيْ فِيْهِ ، وَاخْلُفْ عَلَى كُلِّ غَائِبَةٍ بِخَيْرٍ
Allahuma qanieni bima razaqtani , wabarik li fih , wakhluf ealaa kuli ghayibat bikhayr“O Allah, make me content with what you have provided me, send blessings for me therein, and replace for me every absent thing with something better.” - (Bukhari)
Dua #11
This is the supplication of Prophet Yunus A.S who called on Allah SWT while he was in the belly of the whale. The Prophet PBUH said:
"No Muslim person says it, for any situation whatsoever, except that Allah Most High answers his call.” - (Tirmidhi)
A gem of a dua that is short, sweet, and effective to gain Allah's SWT mercy during a difficulty or trial.
لا إلهَ إلا أنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظّالِمِيْنَ
La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, inni kuntu mina z-zalimin.
“There is no deity but You. Glory be to You! Verily, I have been among the wrongdoers.” - (Quran 21:87)
Dua #12
This dua is close to my heart because it is the dua that Queen Asiya (R.A) made to Allah SWT when her own husband, the evil Pharoah was torturing her and was about to crush her by a giant rock to her death. She called upon Allah SWT with this dua and He took her life away before the rock touched her. Imagine the impact of this dua subhanallah!
رَبِّ ابْنِ لِي عِندَكَ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ
Rabbib ni lee ‘indaka baytan fil Jannah
“My Lord! Build for me a home with You in Paradise...”
Her full dua was:
“My Lord! Build for me a home with You in Paradise, and save me from Fir`awn and his work, and save me from the people who are wrongdoers.” - (Quran 66:11)
In part 5 of my Dua Series, The Duas I Say For Protection, I will share the duas you can say to help you and your family get extra protection from Allah SWT.
Recommended Read
The Book of Remembrance (Kitab Al-Adhkar) by Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi
This is a thick, detailed book containing a collection of acts of remembrance and glorification (dhikr) and supplicatory prayer (du'a, to the Lord of the Universe as related by His final messenger, Prophet Muhammad SAW. The Kindle version is very affordable!
Salam, I’m Zakeeya!
I believe being a wife, a mother, and making our homes a sanctuary for our families brings us tremendous blessings, fulfillment, and improves society. Since 2011, I've been committed to helping Muslimas find tranquility in their roles, take better care of themselves, and attain contentment within. Our journey is not an easy one, but I pray the resources and mentoring I offer, will assist in navigating you through your everyday challenges with mindfulness and gratitude, inshallah. Join me as I share wifehood, motherhood, homemaking, and lifestyle solutions that make life more fulfilling for you as a woman! READ MORE
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