اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ. اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, I seek refuge in You from helplessness and laziness, I seek refuge in You from cowardice and stinginess, and I seek refuge in You from the overwhelming of debt and the subjugation of men. O Allah, suffice me with Your lawful (provision) instead of Your unlawful (provision), and make me independent with Your grace, so as not to need anyone other than You.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazani, wa a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-kasali, wa a'udhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhli, wa a'udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal. Allahummakfini bihalalika 'an haramika wa aghnini bifadlika 'amman siwak.
When to Read
This powerful dua is excellent to recite when feeling overwhelmed by debt, facing financial hardship, or preparing for a journey. It's particularly potent when you're worried about the burden of debt and the potential for others to exert undue influence due to it. Make it a habit to recite it regularly, especially in the morning and evening, and before embarking on any travel.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction, seeking Allah's aid. It is recommended to raise your hands slightly while making dua. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, truly feeling the need for Allah's protection and provision. When traveling, it can be recited before setting out or even during the journey, as the Prophet ﷺ also taught specific duas for travel.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua addresses two major concerns: financial distress and the challenges of travel. By seeking refuge from debt and the humiliation it can bring, you are asking Allah to provide for you through lawful means and relieve you of this burden. The inclusion of seeking refuge from anxiety, sorrow, helplessness, laziness, cowardice, and stinginess covers many aspects of personal well-being. Additionally, seeking refuge from 'qahrir-rijal' (the subjugation of men) implies protection from being exploited or overpowered, which can be a consequence of debt. While this specific wording focuses on debt, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also taught specific duas for travel, which can be recited alongside this for complete protection.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to say, 'O Allah! I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, I seek refuge with You from incapacity and laziness, I seek refuge with You from cowardice and avarice, and I seek refuge with You from the crushing of debt and from being overpowered by men.' (Someone asked Hammad: 'O Abu 'Uthman, how is it?' He said: 'We used to do that.') An-Nasa'i related it in Al-Kubra. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever says (in the morning and in the evening): Allahumma inni as'aluka 'afwa wal-'afiyah fid-dunya wal-akhirah. Allahumma inni as'aluka 'afwa wal-'afiyah fi dini wa dunyaya wa ahli wa mali. Allahumma-stur 'awrati wa amin raw'ati. Allahumma-hfadni min bayni yadayya wa min khalfi wa 'an yamini wa 'an shimali wa min fawqi, wa a'udhu bika an ughtala min tahti.' (I ask Allah for pardon and well-being in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being in my religion and worldly affairs. O Allah, conceal my private parts and secure me from things that make me fearful. O Allah, protect me from before me, behind me, from my right, from my left, and from above me, and I seek refuge in Your greatness lest I be assassinated from beneath me.)' Then he said: 'And he who has not drunk it (this dua) in the morning, will not drink it in the evening.' (This last sentence refers to the first dua in this section).