اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْهَرَمِ، وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from helplessness and laziness, from cowardice and old age, from stinginess. And I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and from the trials of life and death.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-kasali, wal-jubni wal-harami, wal-bukhli. Wa a'udhu bika min 'adhab al-qabri, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-maamati.
When to Read
Recite this dua at any time you feel overwhelmed by procrastination or a lack of productivity. It's particularly beneficial to say it first thing in the morning after Fajr prayer to set a productive tone for the day, or before starting a task that you tend to delay. You can also make it a habit to recite it regularly, perhaps after your obligatory prayers, to seek ongoing divine assistance.
How to Read
With sincerity and focus, raise your hands as you would for other supplications. Utter the words with conviction, believing in Allah's power to help you overcome these internal struggles. Reflect on the meaning of each phrase, understanding that you are actively seeking Allah's protection from the very obstacles that hinder your progress. It's a conscious effort to disengage from laziness and embrace purposeful action, seeking strength only from the One who controls all matters.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful dua directly addresses the root causes of procrastination and low productivity: helplessness (feeling unable to start), laziness (lack of motivation), cowardice (fear of failure or the effort involved), and stinginess (which can manifest as holding back effort). By seeking refuge in Allah from these, we are asking for His divine intervention to imbue us with energy, determination, and courage. It also encompasses seeking refuge from the grave and the trials of life and death, reminding us of the ultimate purpose of our actions in this world, which is to please our Creator and attain success in the Hereafter.
Source & Authentication
‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to supplicate: "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-kasali, wal-jubni wal-harami, wal-bukhli. Wa a'udhu bika min 'adhab al-qabri, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-maamati." (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from helplessness and laziness, from cowardice and old age, from stinginess. And I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and from the trials of life and death.) Sahih Muslim 2706.