اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from distress 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 being overwhelmed by debt and overpowered 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-bukhli, wa a'udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijali.
When to Read
This is a powerful dua to recite anytime you feel the weight of worries, anxieties, or a sense of being overwhelmed. It's especially beneficial to say it in the morning and evening, as these are times when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would often seek refuge in Allah.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely, with full conviction in Allah's power to relieve your distress. Raise your hands slightly, as is customary when making dua. Focus on the meaning of each phrase and truly seek Allah's protection from these afflictions.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua protects us from a wide range of spiritual and emotional ailments. By seeking refuge in Allah from distress (hamm) and sorrow (hazan), we acknowledge that He is the ultimate reliever of our burdens. Seeking refuge from helplessness ('ajz) and laziness (kasal) helps us maintain motivation and capability in our lives. Protection from cowardice (jubn) and stinginess (buhl) cultivates bravery and generosity. Finally, seeking refuge from overwhelming debt (ghalabatid-dayn) and being overpowered by others (qahrir-rijal) is a comprehensive plea for freedom from financial and social oppression. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself used to say this dua often, indicating its immense importance.
Source & Authentication
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from distress and sorrow, helplessness and laziness, cowardice and miserliness, the burden of debt and the overpowering of men.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1101). In another narration, it is reported: 'Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to say, after Fajr prayer: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman naafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min al-jahl wa'l-jaduub wa'l-jam'i wal-hammi wal-hazani...' (This is a longer dua, but the part relevant here is similar to the one above and also found in Sunan Ibn Majah 925). The specific wording provided in the main entry is most commonly cited from Sahih Muslim 2706, narrated by Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him).