Duas for anxiety and stress
The Prophet, upon him be peace, gave a set of specific supplications for anxiety, worry, and grief. These are the ones scholars most often point to.
Anxiety is a load. The Quran and Sunnah name it plainly: hamm (heavy worry), ghamm (grief), diq (constriction of the chest). The Prophet did not treat these as weakness. He taught direct supplications for each.
These duas are not a substitute for professional help. If your anxiety is persistent or disabling, see a doctor. Read them alongside, not instead.
Sourced supplications
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
Allāhumma innī a‘ūdhu bika mina‑l-hammi wa‑l-ḥazan, wa a‘ūdhu bika mina‑l-‘ajzi wa‑l-kasal, wa a‘ūdhu bika mina‑l-jubni wa‑l-bukhl, wa a‘ūdhu bika min ghalabati‑d-dayni wa qahri‑r-rijāl.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief. I seek refuge in You from incapacity and laziness. I seek refuge in You from cowardice and stinginess. I seek refuge in You from being overwhelmed by debt and dominated by others.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6369
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَرَبُّ الْأَرْضِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ
Lā ilāha illa‑llāhu‑l-‘aẓīmu‑l-ḥalīm, lā ilāha illa‑llāhu Rabbu‑l-‘arshi‑l-‘aẓīm, lā ilāha illa‑llāhu Rabbu‑s-samāwāti wa Rabbu‑l-arḍi wa Rabbu‑l-‘arshi‑l-karīm.
There is no god except Allah, the Mighty, the Forbearing. There is no god except Allah, Lord of the mighty Throne. There is no god except Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth and Lord of the noble Throne.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6346, Sahih Muslim 2730 (the dua of distress)
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Ḥasbunā‑llāhu wa ni‘ma‑l-wakīl.
Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.
Quran 3:173
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Lā ilāha illā anta, subḥānaka, innī kuntu mina‑ẓ-ẓālimīn.
There is no god except You. Glory be to You. I have been among the wrongdoers.
Quran 21:87. The dua of Yunus, upon him be peace, in the belly of the whale.
Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.
Frequently asked
How many times should I repeat these duas?
There is no fixed number. Some scholars recommend 100 hasbunAllahu wa ni`ma al-wakil, or 40 la ilaha illa anta subhanaka. Use a counter and be consistent.
Do I have to read them in Arabic?
The Arabic is best because that is how the Prophet taught them. If you cannot yet, read a transliteration and understand the meaning. Work on the Arabic slowly.
Do these replace therapy or medication?
No. They sit alongside proper care. Islam explicitly permits and encourages seeking medical treatment.
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