اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْهَرَمِ، وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from helplessness and laziness, cowardice and old age, and stinginess. I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and from the trials of life and death.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-kasali, wal-jubni wal-harami, wal-bukhli, wa a'udhu bika min 'adhab al-qabri, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mawati.
When to Read
Recite this dua regularly, especially in the morning after Fajr prayer, as it encompasses seeking refuge from many negative states, including laziness. It's also beneficial to recite it whenever you feel the weight of laziness pressing down, hindering your acts of worship.
How to Read
Raise your hands in supplication, facing the Qiblah, and recite this dua with sincerity and conviction. Imagine the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself making this supplication, seeking Allah's protection. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, internalizing the plea for strength against spiritual lethargy and other detrimental traits.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua, taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is a shield against several spiritual and physical ailments. By seeking refuge from laziness (kasal), we directly ask Allah to grant us the energy and motivation to perform our prayers, read the Quran, and engage in other acts of obedience. It also safeguards us from helplessness, fear, extreme old age, and miserliness, all of which can impede our worship and our connection with Allah. Furthermore, it offers protection from the grave's torment and the trials of this world and the Hereafter, signifying the profound breadth of this single supplication.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to teach his companions to seek refuge in Allah from these words in every prayer: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from helplessness and laziness, cowardice and old age, stinginess. I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and from the trials of life and death.' (Sahih Muslim 2706)