Difficult moments in life are inevitable, but Islam provides a powerful source of comfort through duas (supplications). The Qur’an and Hadith contain numerous duas for hardship that were recited by Prophets and righteous individuals in times of distress, anxiety, and grief.
These duas are not just words; they are means of seeking Allah’s mercy, guidance, and support. When recited with sincerity and conviction, they bring peace to the heart and strengthen faith.
This article compiles some of the most profound duas from the Qur’an and Sunnah, offering a way to overcome challenges and find relief through Allah’s help.
8 Powerful Duas for Hardship to Find Strength and Relief
1. Dua of Yunus (AS) – A Powerful Dua for Distress
Prophet Yunus (AS) was sent to the people of Nineveh, who rejected his message. Frustrated, he left the city without Allah’s permission. While traveling by sea, his ship faced a storm, and the crew decided to throw someone overboard to lighten the load. After drawing lots, Yunus (AS) was chosen and was cast into the sea, where he was swallowed by a great fish. Inside the darkness of the fish’s belly, he repented sincerely and recited this dua for hardship.
Allah accepted his repentance, rescued him, and he was returned safely to land.
Arabic:
لَّا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Laa ilaaha illa anta subhaanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimeen.
English Translation:
“There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”
Urdu Translation:
“تیرے سوا کوئی معبود نہیں، تو پاک ہے، بے شک میں ہی ظالموں میں سے ہوں۔”
Reference:
- Qur’an (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:87)
- Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3505 – Classified as Sahih
2. Dua for Anxiety, Sadness, and Hardship
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) often recited this dua when facing hardship, teaching it to his companions. He explained that this supplication seeks Allah’s refuge from worry, grief, weakness, laziness, miserliness, cowardice, debt, and oppression. Many companions, including Abu Umamah (RA), reported how this dua helped them overcome distress.
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Allahumma inni a’oodhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-‘ajzi wal-kasal, wal-bukhli wal-jubn, wa dala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijaal.
English Translation:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief, from weakness and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, and from the burden of debt and the oppression of men.”
Urdu Translation:
“اے اللہ! میں تجھ سے پناہ مانگتا ہوں فکر اور غم سے، کمزوری اور سستی سے، بخل اور بزدلی سے، قرض کے بوجھ اور لوگوں کے دباؤ سے۔”
Reference:
- Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 6369)
- Sunan Abu Dawood (Hadith 1555)
3. Dua for Relief from Distress and Hardship
The Prophet (ﷺ) taught this supplication to seek Allah’s mercy and guidance during difficult times. He emphasized that even a moment without Allah’s help could lead a person astray, hence the plea.
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ رَحْمَتَكَ أَرْجُو فَلَا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Allahumma rahmataka arju falaa takilni ila nafsi tarfata ‘ayn, wa aslih li sha’ni kullahu, laa ilaaha illa anta.
English Translation:
“O Allah, I seek Your mercy. Do not leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye. Correct for me all of my affairs. There is no deity except You.”
Urdu Translation:
“اے اللہ! میں تیری رحمت کا امیدوار ہوں، مجھے ایک لمحے کے لیے بھی میرے نفس کے حوالے نہ کر، میرے تمام معاملات درست فرما، تیرے سوا کوئی معبود نہیں۔”
Reference:
- Sunan Abu Dawood (Hadith 5090) – Classified as Hasan
- Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 27898) – Authentic
4. Dua of the Prophet (ﷺ) in Times of Trouble
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) frequently recited this dua, recognizing the importance of balancing religious, worldly, and afterlife affairs. This supplication highlights how true success lies in having a firm faith, a stable worldly life, and an honorable return in the Hereafter.
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِيَ الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِيَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي، وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ، وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ
Allahumma aslih li deeni alladhi huwa ‘ismatu amri, wa aslih li dunyaaya allati fiha ma’aashi, wa aslih li aakhirati allati fiha ma’aadi, waj’alil hayata ziyaadatan li fi kulli khayr, waj’alil mawta raahatan li min kulli sharr.
English Translation:
“O Allah, set right for me my religion which is the safeguard of my affairs, set right for me the affairs of this world wherein is my living, set right for me my Hereafter to which is my return. Make life an increase for me in all that is good, and make death a relief for me from all evil.”
Urdu Translation:
“اے اللہ! میرے دین کو درست فرما جو میرے معاملات کی حفاظت ہے، میرے دنیاوی معاملات کو درست فرما جس میں میری زندگی بسر ہوتی ہے، میری آخرت کو درست فرما جو میرا ٹھکانہ ہے، میری زندگی کو ہر نیکی میں اضافہ کا ذریعہ بنا، اور میری موت کو ہر برائی سے نجات کا ذریعہ بنا۔”
Reference:
- Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2720)
5. Dua for Patience and Strength in Difficult Times
This dua was recited by Talut (Saul) and his army when they faced Jalut (Goliath) in battle (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:250). They prayed for steadfastness, patience, and victory. Despite being outnumbered, Allah granted them success, and Dawood (AS) defeated Jalut.
Arabic:
رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Rabbana afrigh ‘alayna sabran wa thabbit aqdaamana wansurna ‘alal qawmil kaafireen.
English Translation:
“Our Lord! Pour upon us patience, make our steps firm, and help us against the disbelieving people.”
Urdu Translation:
“اے ہمارے رب! ہم پر صبر نازل فرما، ہمارے قدم جما دے اور ہمیں کافروں پر غلبہ عطا فرما۔”
Reference:
- Qur’an (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:250)
6. Dua for Relief from Worry and Grief
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught this supplication to relieve sorrow and distress. This dua acknowledges Allah’s supreme power and asks Him to make the Qur’an a source of peace and comfort. Many scholars narrate that this dua brings relief when recited with conviction.
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ، وَابْنُ عَبْدِكَ، وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ، سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ، أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ، أَوِ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي، وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي
Allahumma inni ‘abduka, wabnu ‘abduka, wabnu amatika, nasiyati biyadika, madin fiyya hukmuka, ‘adlun fiyya qada’uka, as’aluka bikulli ismin huwa laka, sammayta bihi nafsaka, aw anzaltahu fi kitaabika, aw ‘allamtahu ahadan min khalqika, awista’tharta bihi fi ‘ilmil-ghaybi ‘indaka, an taj’ala al-Qur’ana rabee’a qalbi, wa noora sadri, wa jalaa’a huzni, wa dhahaba hammi.
English Translation:
“O Allah, I am Your servant, the son of Your servant, the son of Your female servant. My forehead is in Your hand. Your judgment is carried out upon me, and Your decree is just. I ask You by every Name belonging to You, which You named Yourself with, revealed in Your Book, taught to any of Your creation, or kept in the unseen knowledge with You, that You make the Qur’an the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the remover of my sorrow, and the release of my distress.”
Urdu Translation:
“اے اللہ! میں تیرا بندہ ہوں، تیرے بندے کا بیٹا ہوں، تیری بندی کا بیٹا ہوں، میرا مقدر تیرے ہاتھ میں ہے، تیرا حکم میرے حق میں نافذ ہے، تیرا فیصلہ میرے حق میں عدل پر مبنی ہے، میں تجھ سے ہر اس نام کے وسیلے سے دعا کرتا ہوں جو تیرا اپنا ہے، جسے تو نے اپنی ذات کے لیے پسند کیا، اپنی کتاب میں نازل فرمایا، یا اپنی مخلوق میں سے کسی کو سکھایا، یا اسے اپنے علم غیب میں چھپا رکھا، کہ تو قرآن کو میرے دل کی بہار، میرے سینے کا نور، میرے غم کا مداوا اور میری پریشانی کا حل بنا دے۔”
Reference:
- Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 3712) – Classified as Sahih
- Sahih Ibn Hibban (Hadith 923) – Authentic
7. Dua for Overcoming Hardship and Pain
This dua was a common supplication of the Prophet (ﷺ) when facing difficulties. He taught his companions that no challenge is difficult if Allah makes it easy. The Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged believers to recite it when struggling with tasks or personal hardships.
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ لاَ سَهْلَ إِلاَّ مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلاً، وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلاً
Allahumma laa sahla illa ma ja’altahu sahlan, wa anta taj’alul-hazna idha shi’ta sahlan.
English Translation:
“O Allah! There is no ease except in that which You have made easy, and You can make difficulty easy if You wish.”
Urdu Translation:
“اے اللہ! آسانی وہی ہے جو تو آسان کرے، اور اگر تو چاہے تو ہر مشکل کو آسان بنا دے۔”
Reference:
- Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 4094) – Classified as Sahih
- Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 12599) – Authentic
8. Dua for Protection and Help in Times of Crisis
This was the dua of Ibrahim (AS) when he was thrown into the fire by King Nimrod, and it was also recited by the Sahabah during the Battle of Uhud (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:173). In both cases, Allah granted protection and turned the situation in their favor.
Arabic:
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakeel.
English Translation:
“Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.”
Urdu Translation:
“ہمارے لیے اللہ کافی ہے، اور وہ بہترین کارساز ہے۔”
Reference:
- Qur’an (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:173)
- Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 4563)
Final Thoughts
These authentic supplications from the Qur’an and Hadith are powerful tools for seeking Allah’s help in difficult times. Whether facing personal struggles, anxiety, hardship, or sadness, these duas provide relief, hope, and strength.
Key Advice on Reciting These Duas:
- Recite them with sincerity and full conviction that Allah will respond.
- Repeat them frequently, especially in Sujood (prostration), after Salah, and during Tahajjud.
- Reflect on their meanings while reciting to develop a stronger spiritual connection.
May Allah ease all hardships and grant us patience, strength, and success. Ameen!
Daily Life Duas/Prayers
