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, laziness, cowardice, old age, and miserliness. 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-il-qabri, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamati.
When to Read
We often find ourselves pondering the future, especially as we or our loved ones approach later years. This powerful dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is a beautiful plea for protection from the very things that can lead to fear of becoming a burden. You can incorporate it into your daily supplications, particularly in your morning and evening *adhkar*, after your obligatory prayers, or whenever you feel a sense of vulnerability about aging and the potential for dependence. It's a constant reminder that our ultimate reliance is on Allah alone, at every stage of life.
How to Read
When reciting this dua, take a moment to reflect on each of its profound phrases. The Prophet ﷺ didn't just utter words; he taught us to understand their depth. As you say *'a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-harami'* (I seek refuge in You from helplessness and old age), truly internalize what it means to desire strength, self-sufficiency, and dignity in your golden years. Approach it with sincere humility and firm conviction that Allah is capable of granting your request. Raising your hands during supplication is a beautiful sunnah, though not compulsory for daily adhkar, and helps to engage your heart and body in the act of asking.
Virtues & Benefits
The virtues of this dua are immense, stemming from the fact that our beloved Prophet ﷺ himself used to frequently make this supplication. By reciting it, you are directly following his blessed Sunnah, which is a source of immense reward. More specifically, this dua offers: * **Protection of Dignity:** It seeks refuge from conditions like helplessness (*al-'ajz*) and debilitating old age (*al-haram*) that can strip away one's ability to care for themselves and contribute, thus alleviating the fear of becoming a burden on others. * **Cultivating Reliance on Allah:** It strengthens your *tawakkul* (trust in Allah) by acknowledging that only He can grant enduring strength, health, and independence through all stages of life. * **Holistic Well-being:** Beyond physical aspects, it also covers spiritual and psychological well-being by seeking refuge from laziness, cowardice, miserliness, the punishment of the grave, and the trials of life and death – all elements that contribute to a complete and dignified existence. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that these afflictions are serious enough to seek refuge from, highlighting their potential to detract from a fulfilling life in this world and the Hereafter.
Source & Authentication
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say: > **Arabic:** اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْهَرَمِ، وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ > > **Translation:** 'O Allah! I seek refuge with You from helplessness and laziness, from cowardice and old age, and from miserliness; and I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave, and from the trials of life and death.' > > — Sahih al-Bukhari 6367, Sahih Muslim 2706a