اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and stinginess, and from the heavy burden of debt and the oppression of men.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazani, wal-'ajzi wal-kasali, wal-jubni wal-bukhli, wa dala'id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijali.
When to Read
This powerful dua is particularly relevant when you feel overwhelming shyness or embarrassment that prevents you from focusing in prayer, or even makes you hesitant to pray properly. You can recite it during your prostration (sajdah) in any obligatory or voluntary prayer, or even after the prayer when making personal supplications. It's a plea for Allah's assistance to overcome these internal struggles that hinder your connection with Him.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heartfelt conviction in Allah's ability to help. During prayer, the most opportune time is often in prostration (sajdah), where you are closest to your Lord. You can also say it in the final sitting (tashahhud) before salam, or immediately after, during your personal supplications. Ensure you understand the meaning of each phrase as you utter it, connecting your heart to the words and to Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua addresses deep-seated emotional and mental states that can affect a believer's spiritual life. By seeking refuge in Allah from: * **Worry and grief (al-hammi wal-hazani):** These can paralyze the heart and mind, making it difficult to concentrate on anything, including prayer. * **Incapacity and laziness (al-'ajzi wal-kasali):** These traits prevent one from fulfilling their duties, including spiritual ones, and can manifest as shyness in performing acts of worship. * **Cowardice (al-jubni):** This is directly linked to shyness and embarrassment, making one fearful of being seen or judged, which can inhibit one's devotion. * **Stinginess (wal-bukhli):** While seemingly unrelated, extreme stinginess can stem from an anxious heart, which might also be prone to shyness. * **Heavy burden of debt and oppression of men (wa dala'id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijali):** These external pressures can weigh heavily on a person, contributing to anxiety and a sense of inadequacy that fuels shyness. By seeking refuge from these specific afflictions, you are asking Allah to grant you inner strength, confidence, and peace of mind, which are essential for a focused and uninhibited prayer.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to invoke: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and stinginess, and from the heavy burden of debt and the oppression of men.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6369)