اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from distress and sorrow, and I seek refuge in You from helplessness and laziness, and I seek refuge in You from cowardice and stinginess, and I seek refuge in You from being overwhelmed by debt and from being overcome by 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
This powerful dua is especially relevant when you feel the weight of your responsibilities as a caregiver, coupled with the isolation that can creep in. Recite it when you feel overwhelmed by the emotional toll, the physical demands, or the sense of being alone in this significant task. It's a direct appeal to Allah for relief from emotional burdens and a seeking of strength to overcome challenges.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction, ideally after your obligatory prayers (Salah). Raise your hands in supplication as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us the etiquette of dua. Visualize Allah's mercy encompassing you and providing the strength and peace you need. Understand that seeking refuge in Allah is an act of reliance and trust in His plan.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to his closest companion, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), offers profound benefits. It helps in seeking Allah's protection from debilitating emotional states like distress (hamm) and sorrow (hazan), which can be particularly acute during demanding caregiving periods. It also shields us from feelings of inadequacy (ajz) and inertia (kasal), crucial for maintaining the energy needed for caregiving. Furthermore, it protects against the debilitating effects of fear (jubn) and excessive attachment to wealth (bukhl), which can hinder our ability to serve others, and seeks refuge from the burden of overwhelming debt and the subjugation by others, both of which can add immense stress to life.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to supplicate: "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." (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from distress and sorrow, helplessness and laziness, cowardice and stinginess, and overwhelming debt and being overcome by men). Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah, I feel that the words I have learned are many." The Prophet ﷺ said: "Yes, Abu Bakr, but I love for you to repeat them." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6369)