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 anxiety 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 the overwhelming of debt and the subjugation of 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 ghalabad-dayni wa qahrir-rijali.
When to Read
This profound dua is perfect for those moments when sadness feels overwhelming, and a sense of being stuck or lacking purpose descends. Recite it sincerely during times of deep contemplation, after prayers, or whenever you feel the weight of anxiety and grief pressing down. It's a shield against the mental and emotional burdens that can cloud our perspective and hinder our connection with Allah's blessings.
How to Read
With your hands raised slightly, facing the Qiblah if possible, and with sincere concentration, seek refuge in Allah. Utter these words with a heartfelt plea, recognizing that true relief and purpose come only from the One who controls all matters. It's not just about the recitation, but the deep conviction that Allah is your ultimate refuge and source of strength. Imagine each phrase as a request for divine protection against specific ailments of the heart and mind.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself, is a powerful tool for combating the roots of sadness and listlessness. By seeking refuge from anxiety (hamm) and sorrow (hazan), we are directly addressing the emotional distress. The plea against helplessness ('ajz) and laziness (kasal) helps to break the cycle of inaction that often accompanies sadness, opening the door to finding purpose. Protection from cowardice (jubn) and stinginess (bukhl) purifies our character, making us braver in pursuing our goals and more generous with our resources, which can foster a sense of fulfillment. Finally, seeking refuge from overwhelming debt and the subjugation of men protects our dignity and freedom, allowing us to focus on our spiritual and worldly well-being.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to say: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ (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 ghalabad-dayni wa qahrir-rijali.) Translation: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety 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 the overwhelming of debt and the subjugation of men.' Narrated by Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him). Sahih al-Bukhari 6369.