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 incapacity and laziness, I seek refuge in You from cowardice and stinginess, and I seek refuge in You from the burden 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 ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijali.
When to Read
This dua is especially relevant when you're feeling low because a good habit you cherished has been broken, or a regular practice of devotion has been missed. It can be recited any time you feel overwhelmed by sadness, whether it stems from a spiritual lapse, a broken routine that brought you peace, or any significant loss that weighs on your heart. It's a profound way to seek Allah's help when the weight of regret or a sense of loss feels heavy.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention, raising your hands as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us for supplication. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, truly feeling your reliance on Allah. It's best recited after your obligatory prayers, but can also be said at any time you feel the need for Allah's protection and solace, especially when facing difficulties that bring sadness or spiritual weakness.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to his companion Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), offers comprehensive protection. It directly addresses distress and sorrow (al-ham wa al-hazan), which are the core feelings when losing something precious, including cherished spiritual habits. Seeking refuge in Allah from incapacity and laziness helps combat the inertia that often follows such losses, while protection from cowardice and stinginess guards against negative character traits. Finally, seeking refuge from overwhelming debt and the subjugation of men shields us from worldly pressures that can exacerbate emotional distress. By reciting this, we are asking Allah to lift the burdens of sadness and fortify our spirit.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Bakr: I said to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me words that I may say in the morning and evening.' He said, 'O Abu Bakr, say: O Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, O Lord of all things and their Sovereign, I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of myself and from the evil of Satan and his instruments (polytheism), and from bringing evil upon myself or casting it to any Muslim.' I said to him, 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me to say these words in the morning and evening.' He said, 'Say: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from distress and sorrow, I seek refuge in You from incapacity and laziness, I seek refuge in You from cowardice and stinginess, and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and the subjugation of men.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 5903)