اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْٓ اَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَاَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَاَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَاَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهَرِ 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 being overcome by debt and by the oppression 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 ghalabatid-dayni wa qahari-rijali.
When to Read
Recite this dua when you feel a heavy burden of sadness, especially when it stems from a feeling of not living up to your potential, or from circumstances that feel beyond your control. It's particularly useful when facing difficulties that cause worry and a sense of being stuck. Make it a habit during your daily duas, or specifically when these feelings arise.
How to Read
Raise your hands in supplication, facing the Qiblah if possible. Begin with praising Allah and sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction, focusing on the meaning of each phrase and truly seeking Allah's protection. It's best recited after your obligatory prayers or during times of quiet reflection.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua addresses several deep-seated causes of sadness and distress. By seeking refuge in Allah from anxiety (hamm) and sorrow (hazan), we acknowledge that true peace comes from Him. It also seeks protection from internal states like helplessness ('ajz) and laziness (kasal), which can prevent us from acting on our potential. Furthermore, it guards against fear (jubn) and miserliness (buhl), which can stifle growth and generosity. Finally, seeking refuge from the burden of debt and the oppression of others addresses external pressures that can weigh heavily on the heart and mind. This dua helps in acknowledging our limitations and seeking divine strength to overcome them, thereby releasing the burden of unfulfilled potential.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet ﷺ used to invoke: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from the hard burden of debt and from being overcome by men.' He added, 'Whenever the Prophet ﷺ woke up, he would say, 'Praise be to Allah Who gave us life after bringing us death, and to Him is the resurrection.' He would also say, 'Praise be to Allah in the first and the last state, and praise be to Allah in all my affairs. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the Fire and from the punishment of the grave; and I seek refuge in You from the invocation of the Antichrist. O Allah, I deem myself, my deeds, my family and my wealth as having been under Your protection from the Devil, the cursed one, and from all evil.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6364). This specific supplication for distress is found in multiple hadith, including Sahih al-Bukhari 4403, which focuses on seeking refuge from these specific afflictions.