Muslims we are blessed to be given many powerful and effective duas (supplications) taught by our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) that has the ability to eradicate all of the stress we may incur throughout the day. In a hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas,
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“If anyone continually asks to pardon, Allah (swt) will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon.” (Sunan Abu Dawood 599)
Here are 5 short, but very impactful, duas to battle the hardship of stress,
1. لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِين
“There is no deity but You. Glory be to You! Verily, I have been among the wrongdoers.” (Quran 21:87)
This dua was made by Prophet Yunus (p.b.u.h.) – and Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said that this dua is useful for receiving patience during hardships in our affairs and acknowledging our mistakes while seeking Allah’s protection.
2. اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّىْ اَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنْ جَهْدِالْبَلَاءِ وَدَرْكِ الشَّقَاءِ وَسُوْءِ الْقَضَاءِ و شَمَاتَةِ الْاَعْدَاءِ
“Oh Allah, I seek refuge in you from the difficulties of hardships. And the acquisition of wretchedness, and ill-fate, and the enemy’s malicious rejoicing for my suffering.” (Sahih Al Bukhari 6347)
This dua relieves hardships, afflictions, protection from enemies, as well as protection from wrong and evil judgments.
3. يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْ
“O Living and Eternal Maintainer! By Your mercy I seek help!”
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ood (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that whenever Rasul Allah (ﷺ) used to be afflicted with any concern or stressful situations he would recite this supplication. This dua is also useful to relieve worries about the issues of one’s family, health, or wealth.
“When I did what the Messenger (p.b.u.h.) suggested, Allah (swt) removed my distress and settled my debt.” (Abu Dawood)
4. اللّهُمَّ لا سَهْلَ إلا ما جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلا وَأنتَ تَجْعَلُ الحَزْنَ إذا شِئْتَ سَهْلا
“O Allah! There is no ease except that which You make easy, and indeed You, when You want, make grief and difficulties easy.” (Sahih Ibn Hibban 970)
When the weights of stress and grief are burdening upon a person, reciting this dua may help them find an easy solution to tackling the toughest of problems, Insha’Allah
5. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
“O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)
Narrated by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (RA), one day Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) entered the mosque and saw a man named Abu Umamah, who seemed to always be staying at the mosque long after his prayers were completed and people had all left. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked him: “Why are you sitting at the mosque when it is not time for prayer?”
Abu Umamah replied, “I am entangled in sorrow and debts and I don’t know what I should do about it.”
Then the Prophet (ﷺ) taught him this dua and told him to recite it during the morning and evening. Abu Umamah later noted, “When I did what the Messenger (ﷺ) suggested, Allah (swt) removed my distress and settled my debt.” (Abu Dawood)
I hope these duas (supplications) help ease your heart in times of distress. InshaAllah