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, and I seek refuge in You from incapacity and laziness, and I seek refuge in You from cowardice and stinginess, and I seek refuge in You from being overcome by debt and by the tyranny 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 qahrir-rijali.
When to Read
This dua is perfect for those times when you feel a heavy burden on your chest, whether it’s from worldly worries (like debt) or the internal struggle with sins you've committed, especially those you keep hidden. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to turn to Allah in all circumstances, so reciting this when sadness or worry strikes can be a profound source of relief and strength.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely, with full conviction in Allah's power to relieve your distress. Imagine each word lifting a weight off your heart. It's best recited in the morning and evening, as the Prophet ﷺ would often seek refuge in Allah with these words, but you can also turn to it anytime you feel the pangs of sadness, worry, or the heavy weight of your actions.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful dua encompasses seeking refuge from several significant afflictions that weigh down the human spirit and can lead to deeper despair: * **Distress and Sorrow (Al-Hammi wal-Hazani):** This directly addresses the feeling of being overwhelmed and deeply unhappy, which can stem from many sources, including the guilt of secret sins. * **Incapacity and Laziness (Al-'Ajzi wal-Kasali):** These hinder our ability to act, to improve our situation, or even to worship Allah properly, compounding feelings of helplessness. * **Cowardice and Stinginess (Al-Jubni wal-Bukhli):** These character flaws prevent us from standing up for what's right and from being generous, both of which are vital for spiritual growth and community well-being. * **Overcome by Debt and Tyranny of Men (Ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijali):** These are significant worldly burdens that can crush a person's spirit. Overcoming debt and dealing with oppressive people are serious challenges that this dua seeks divine protection against. By seeking refuge from these, we are asking Allah to grant us the strength, resources, and circumstances to overcome them, or to bear them with patience and faith.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Sa'id al-Khudri: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to seek refuge from the evil eye of jinn and men. But when this Surah (Al-Falaq) was revealed, he gave up seeking refuge in anything else besides him. He invoked Allah saying: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of what You have created." (Sahih al-Bukhari 4423). This specific narration is often paired with another comprehensive dua taught by the Prophet ﷺ for seeking refuge from various afflictions. The second part of the dua, which is highly relevant here, is: 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.