Dua for Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

In Islam, anxiety is recognized as a normal human emotion that can arise from various sources, such as stress, fear, and uncertainty. However, excessive anxiety or worry that interferes with a person’s ability to function can be considered an illness or disorder, and Islam encourages people to seek professional help to manage these symptoms.

 Dua for Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

In the Quran, Allah encourages believers to trust Him during difficult times, stating, « So verily, with the hardship, there is a relief. Verily, with the hardship, there is a relief. » (Quran 94:5-6). This verse reminds us that difficult times will come, but they will eventually pass and that we should have faith in Allah’s plan for us.

Islam also encourages believers to seek comfort and strength through prayer and remembrance of Allah. This can help reduce anxiety and fear and provide a sense of peace and calm. It is also essential for Muslims to seek out the support of family, friends, and community during times of stress and anxiety.

Furthermore, in Islam, seeking knowledge is highly encouraged, and learning about coping mechanisms and stress management techniques can help manage anxiety. Leading a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and getting adequate sleep, is also emphasized in Islam as a means to improve overall physical and mental health. 

Dua – Supplications for Anxiety, Stress, and Depression

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught many supplications (duas) that can be recited for various purposes, including alleviating anxiety and stress. Here are a few examples:

للّهُـمَّ إِنِّي عَبْـدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْـدِكَ ابْنُ أَمَتِـكَ نَاصِيَتِي بِيَـدِكَ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُ كْمُكَ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤكَ أَسْأَلُـكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ سَمَّـيْتَ بِهِ نَفْ سَكَ أِو ْ أَنْزَلْتَـهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ، أَوْ عَلَّمْـتَهُ أَحَداً مِنْ خَلْقِـكَ أَوِ اسْتَل أْثَرْتَ بِ هِ فِي عِلْمِ الغَيْـبِ عِنْـدَكَ أَنْ تَجْـعَلَ القُرْآنَ رَبِيـعَ قَلْبِـي ، وَنورَ صَـدْرِي وجَلَاءَ حُـزْنِي وذَهَابَ هَمِّـي

Transliteration: 

« Allahumma inni ‘abduka, ibn ‘abdika, ibn amatika, naasyati biyadika, maada fiyya hukmuka, ‘adlun fiyya qada’uka, as’aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka, sammayta bihi nafsaka, aw anzaltahu fi kitabika, aw ‘allamtahu ahadan min khalqika, aw ista’tharta bihi fi ‘ilmil-ghaybi ‘andak, an taj’alal-Qur’ana rabee’ qalbi, wa noor sadri, wa jalaa’ huzni, wa dhahaba hammi. » (Sahih Bukhari) 

Translation: 

O Allah, I am Your slave and the son of Your male slave and the son of your female slave. My forehead is in Your Hand ( you have control over me). I am subject to Your decree, and Your decision upon me is justice itself. I ask You by every name that is Yours by which You have named Yourself, or which You revealed in Your Book, or which You have taught any one of Your creation, or which You have kept to Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen that is with You, to make the Qur’an the spring of my heart, and the light of my chest, the removal of my sorrow and the departure of my worries. » 

This dua, also known as the « dua for distress, » is a comprehensive supplication that seeks relief from anxiety and stress. It is recommended to recite this dua in times of distress, and it asks Allah to make the Quran a source of comfort and peace for the heart and to remove any sorrow or grief. 

اللَّهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَ إِلَّا مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلًا، وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ سَهْلًا إِذَا شِئْتَ

Transliteration: 

« Allahumma la sahla illa ma ja’altahu sahlan, wa anta taj’alul-hazna idha shi’ta sahlan. » (Sunan Ibn Majah) 

Translation: 

O Allah, nothing is made easy except what you make easy, and You make difficulty easy if You wish. 

This dua asks Allah to make things easy and to remove any difficulty or stress. It recognizes that nothing is easy except that which Allah has made easy and asks Allah to make even difficult things easy when He wills. 

حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ 

Transliteration: 

« Hasbi Allahu la ilaha illa huwa ‘alayhi tawakkaltu wa huwa Rabbul-‘arshil-‘adheem. » (Sahih Bukhari)

Translation:  

“Allah is sufficient for me. There is none worthy of worship but Him. I have placed my trust in Him. He is the Lord of the Majestic throne.” 

This dua affirms one’s faith in Allah and trust in His ability to provide support and guidance. In times of stress and anxiety, it can be recited to seek Allah’s protection and help. 

How to deal with stress and anxiety according to Islam?

In Islam, various spiritual and practical ways to deal with stress and anxiety exist. Here are some tips:

Turn to Allah: Remember that Allah is the only one who can alleviate your stress and anxiety. Therefore, seek His help and guidance by praying to Him, reciting Quran, making dua, and performing acts of worship.

Trust in Allah’s plan: Remember that everything that happens in your life is part of Allah’s plan. Trust that Allah has a greater purpose for your life, and have faith that He will provide you with what you need.

Seek knowledge: Learning about the Quran and Sunnah and gaining knowledge about Islamic teachings can help you understand the purpose of life and reduce stress and anxiety.

Practice gratitude: Being grateful for Allah’s blessings can help shift your focus from what is causing stress and anxiety to what you have been given.

Exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle: Taking care of your body is important in Islam. Exercise, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep.

Seek support from others: Reach out to your family, friends, or a mental health professional for support and guidance.

Avoid haram activities: Engaging in haram activities, such as drinking alcohol or using drugs, can temporarily alleviate stress and anxiety but ultimately worsen the problem.

Remember that Islam encourages taking practical steps to improve one’s mental health and seeking help when necessary.

Relevant Hadiths:

• « Do not be anxious, for anxiety brings no benefit to anyone. » (Sunan Ibn Majah)
• « No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that. » (Sahih Bukhari)
• « If you are in a state of anxiety, you should say, ‘O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men.' » (Sahih Bukhari)