اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, and I seek refuge in You from incapacity and laziness, and I seek refuge in You from cowardice and stinginess, and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and the oppression of men.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazani, wa a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-kasali, wa a'udhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa a'udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal.
When to Read
Recite this dua when you feel overwhelmed by the pressures and expectations of society, whether it's the pressure to achieve a certain status, look a certain way, or live a life that doesn't feel authentic to you. It's particularly useful when these pressures lead to feelings of anxiety, sadness, helplessness, or a sense of being trapped.
How to Read
Make this dua with sincerity and conviction. Raise your hands slightly, as one would when making supplication. Focus on the meaning of the words and direct your plea to Allah. It can be recited at any time, but is especially potent during the quiet hours of the night or after completing your prayers.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, offers comprehensive protection. By seeking refuge in Allah from 'anxiety and sorrow' (al-hammi wal-hazani), we address the mental and emotional toll of societal pressures. Asking protection from 'incapacity and laziness' (al-'ajzi wal-kasali) helps us regain the motivation to act according to our own values, rather than being paralyzed by external judgment. Seeking refuge from 'cowardice and stinginess' (al-jubni wal-bukhl) bolsters our inner strength and resolve. Finally, protection from the 'burden of debt and the oppression of men' (ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal) addresses external forces that can crush us, including the judgmental gaze and opinions of others that feel like an oppressive force.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazani, wa a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-kasali, wa a'udhu bika min al-jubni wal-bukhl, wa a'udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and stinginess, and from being overcome by debt and oppressed by men.)