اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ 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 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 ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal.
When to Read
Recite this dua whenever you feel overwhelmed by the negative trends you witness in society, or when you feel a sense of helplessness in the face of widespread issues. It's particularly beneficial when your heart is heavy with sadness about the state of affairs, and you feel unable to enact significant change. This is a dua to turn to when your own efforts feel insufficient, and you need to place your reliance solely on Allah.
How to Read
This is a profound supplication that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say regularly. Recite it with sincerity, raising your hands if possible, and with a clear intention of seeking Allah's protection and aid. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, truly understanding what you are asking Allah to protect you from. It's best to say it in a state of purity, facing the Qiblah, but the most important aspect is the sincerity of your heart.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful dua offers comprehensive protection against a range of spiritual and emotional afflictions. By seeking refuge in Allah from distress (hamm) and sorrow (hazan), we are asking for relief from mental anguish and the heavy weight of sadness that can come from witnessing societal decline. The plea against incapacity ('ajz) and laziness (kasal) empowers us to take meaningful action where we can, rather than succumbing to apathy. Furthermore, seeking refuge from cowardice (jubn) and stinginess (bukhl) strengthens our resolve to stand for truth and be generous with our resources. The final part, seeking protection from overwhelming debt (ghalabatid-dayn) and the subjugation of men (qahrir-rijal), addresses worldly pressures that can crush a person's spirit. Ultimately, this dua helps us to manage our feelings of helplessness by placing our trust and seeking strength from the One who has absolute power over all matters.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to supplicate: '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-rijal.' (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 the overwhelming of debt and the subjugation of men.)