Hardship & Difficulty

قَدَرُ اللَّهِ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ

Qadarullaahi wa maa shaa'a fa'al

“It is the Decree of Allah and He does whatever He wills. Abu Huraira (RA) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: (The dua is mentioned above) and your" if" opens the (gate) for the Satan.”

اَللَّهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَ إِلَّا مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلًا وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلًا

Allaahumma laa sahlaa illaa maa ja'altahu sahlaa, wa Anta taj'alul-hazna 'idhaa shi'ta sahlaa

“O Allah, there is no ease other than what You make easy. If You want You ease sorrow.”

اَللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيْمِ كُنْ لِي جَارًا مِنْ فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ، وَأَحْزَابِهِ مِنْ خَلَائِقِكَ (وَمِنْ شَرِّ خَلْقِكَ كُلِّهِمْ جَمِيْعًا) أَنْ يَفْرُطَ عَلَيَّ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ أَوْ يَطْغَى عَزَّ جَارُكَ وَجَلَّ ثَنَاؤُكَ وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

Allaahumma Rabbas-samawaatis-sab'i, wa Rabbal-'Arshil-'Adheem, kun lee jaaran min [here you mention the person's name], wa 'ahzaabihi min khalaa'iqika, (wa min sharri khalqika kullihim jami'an) 'an yafruta 'alayya 'ahadun minhum 'aw yatghaa, 'azza jaaruka, wajalla thanaa'uka, wa laa 'ilaaha 'illaa 'Anta

“O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, be for me a support against [such and such a person] and his helpers from among your creatures, lest any of them abuse me or do me wrong. Mighty is Your patronage and glorious are Your praises. There is none worthy of worship but You. Narrated from Abdullah Ibn Masood (RA) and Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA), they said: If anyone fears harm from any ruler, administrator or powerful person, he should recite this dua.”

When to readProphet (ﷺ) said, If anyone fears to encounter an enemy or those of authority, then he should say:

اَللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِيْهِمْ بِمَا شِئْتَ

Allaahummak-fineehim bimaa shi'ta

“O Allah, suffice (i.e. protect) me against them however You wish.”

إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ، اَللَّهُمَّ أْجُرْنِيْ فِي مُصِيْبَتِيْ وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْرًا مِنْهَا

Innaa lillaahi wa 'innaa 'ilayhi raaji'oon, Allaahumma'-jurni fee museebatee wa 'akhlif lee khayran minhaa

“We are from Allah and unto Him we return. O Allah take me out of my plight and bring to me after it something better. Umm Salama (RA) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: If any Muslim who suffers some calamity says, what Allah has commanded him," We are from Allah and unto Him we return. O Allah take me out of my plight and bring to me after it something better. When Abu Salama died Umm Salama said: What Muslim is better than Abu Salama whose family was the first to emigrate to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). I then said the words, and Allah gave me God's Messenger (ﷺ) in exchange.”

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِيْ مِمَّا ابْتَلَاكَ بِهِ وَفَضَّلَنِيْ عَلَى كَثِيْرٍ مِمَّنْ خَلَقَ تَفْضِيْلًا

Al-hamdu lil-laahil-ladhee ‘aafaanee mim-mab-ta-laaka bihi, wa fad-dala-nee ‛alaa kathee-rin mim-man khalaqa taf-deelaa

“Praise be to Allah who had saved me from what He had afflicted you with, and for honouring me over many of his creations. Umar (RA) narrated that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever sees a person afflicted and say: (The dua is mentioned above) then he shall be saved from that affliction for as long as he lives.” Grandson of Husain (RA), Muhammad al-Bakir said, dua should be uttered silently without hearing the afflicted person.”

أَعُوْذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

A‛oodhu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaati min sharri maa khalaq

“I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created. Abu Huraira (RA) reported that a person came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said:" Allah's Messenger, I was stung by a scorpion during the night. Thereupon he said: Had you recited these words in the evening:" I seek refuge in the Perfect Word of Allah from the evil of what He created," it would not have done any harm to you."”

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، الْعَظِيْمُ الْحَلِيْمُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيْمِ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ، وَرَبُّ الْأَرْضِ، وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ

Laa 'ilaaha 'illAllaahul-'Adheemul-Haleem, laa 'ilaaha 'illAllaahu Rabbul-'Arshil-'Adheem, laa 'ilaaha 'illAllaahu Rabbus-samaawaati wa Rabbul-'ardhi wa Rabbul-'Arshil-Kareem

“There is none worthy of worship but Allah the Mighty, the Forbearing. There is none worthy of worship but Allah, Lord of the Magnificent Throne. There is none worthy of worship but Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, and Lord of the Noble Throne.”

When to readIbn 'Abbas (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say these words in times of danger or hardship:

اَللَّهُ رَبِّي لَا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا

Allahu Rabbee laa 'ushriku bihi shay'an

“Allah is my Lord. I do not associate anything with Him. Ayesha (RA) said, "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), used to gather all his family together and say: If any of you are ever in trouble or in danger, say this."”

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

HasbunAllahu wa ni'amal-wakeel

“Allah is sufficient for me, and how fine a trustee (He is). This dua was recited by Ibrahim (As) when he was thrown into the fire. And Muhammad (ﷺ) recited this prayer when the people said to him, "The people are united against you!"”

اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللَّهُ أَعَزُّ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ جَمِيعًا، اَللَّهُ أَعَزُّ مِمَّا أَخَافُ وَأَحْذَرُ، أَعُوْذُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمُمْسِكِ السَّمَوَاتِ السَّبْعِ أَنْ يَقَعْنَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ، مِنْ شَرِّ عَبْدِكَ فُلَانٍ، وَجُنُودِهِ وَأَتْبَاعِهِ وَأَشْيَاعِهِ، مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنْسِ، اَللَّهُمَّ كُنْ لِي جَارًا مِنْ شَرِّهِمْ، جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُكَ وَعَزَّ جَارُكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ

Allahu 'Akbar, Allahu 'a'azzu min khalqihi jamee'an, Allahu 'a'azzu mimmaa 'akhaafu wa 'ahdharu, 'A'oodhu billaahil-ladhee laa 'ilaaha 'illaa Huwa almumsikis-samaawaatis-sab'i 'an yaqa'na 'alal-'ardhi 'illaa bi'idhnihi, min sharri 'abdika (name of the person), wa junoodihi wa 'atbaa'ihi wa 'ashyaa'ihi, minal-jinni wal'insi, Allaahumma kun lee jaaran min sharrihim, jalla thanaa'uka wa 'azza jaaruka, wa tabaarakasmuka, wa laa 'ilaaha ghayruk

“Allah is the Most Great, Mightier than all His creation. He is Mightier than what I fear and dread. I seek refuge in Allah, Who there is none worthy of worship but Him. He is the One Who holds the Seven heavens from falling upon the earth except by His command. (I seek refuge in You Allah) from the evil of Your slave (say the person's name), and his helpers, his followers and his supporters from among the jinn and mankind. O Allah, be my support against their evil. Glorious are Your praises and mighty is Your patronage. Blessed is Your Name, there is no true God but You. Narrated Ibn 'Abbas (RA) : When you meet an influential person who is causing terror and you fear that he will attack you, you will say three times: (The dua is mentioned above)”

اَللَّهُمَّ مَتِّعْنِي بِسَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاجْعَلْهُمَا الْوَارِثَ مِنِّي، وَانْصُرْنِي عَلَى مَنْ ظَلَمَنِي وَخُذْ مِنْهُ بِثَأْرِي

Allaahumma matti‛ni bi sam‛i wa basari waj-‛alhumal-waaritha minni, wan-surni ‛alaa man zalamani, wa khudh minhu bi tha’ri

“O Allah, grant me enjoyment of my hearing and sight, and keep them healthy and sound until the day I die, and aid me against those who oppress me, and avenge me from them.”

رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ

Rabbanaa laa taj'alnaa ma'al-qawmiz-zaalimeen.

“Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people.”

اَللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ، وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ

Allaahummak-finee bi 'halaalika ‛an 'haraamika, wa aghninee bi fadlika ‛amman siwaak

“O Allah, make what is lawful enough for me, as opposed to what is unlawful, and spare me by Your grace of the need for others.”

When to readEven if the burden of debt is like a mountain, (if this dua is recited) Allah will forgive the debt:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ

Allaahumma 'innee 'A'oodhu bika minal-hammi wal hazani, wal'ajzi wal kasali, wal bukhli wal jubni, wa dhala'id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijaal

“O Allah, I seek refuge in you from grief and sadness, from weakness and from laziness, from miserliness and from cowardice, from being overcome by debt and overpowered by men.”

When to readThe Prophet (ﷺ) said:

أُعِيْذُكُمَا بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَّهَامَّةٍ وَّمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ

U'eethukumaa bikalimaatil-laahit-taammati min kulli shaytaanin wa haammah, wa min kulli 'aynin laammah

“I seek protection for you in the Perfect Words of Allah from every devil and every beast, and from every envious blameworthy eye.”

When to readThe Prophet (ﷺ) sought salvation for Hasan-Hussein (grandchildren) in this way:

لَا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّى كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِيْنَ

Laa Ilaaha Illaaa Anta Subh’aanaka Innee Kuntu Minaz” Z’aalimeen

“None has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) are You. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers.”

When to readThe Prophet (ﷺ) In times of danger, he used to say -

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

Allahumma la sahla illa ma ja'altahu sahla, wa anta taj'alul-hazna idha shi'ta sahla.

“O Allah, there is no ease except in that which You have made easy, and You make difficulty, if You wish, easy.”

When to readWhen something feels too difficult to face, before you attempt it.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا أَعْلَمُ

Allahumma inni a'udhu bika an ushrika bika wa ana a'lam, wa astaghfiruka lima la a'lam.

“O Allah, I take refuge in You lest I should associate anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly.”

When to readA quiet check on the heart's intentions, not only its actions.

اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَاتِنَا وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِنَا

Allahummastur 'awraatina wa aamin raw'aatina.

“O Allah, cover our openings, and give us security from our fears.”

When to readWhat the Companions said during the Battle of the Trench, when — in their own words — their hearts were in their mouths.

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zaalimeen.

“There is no god but You, glory be to You — truly I have wronged myself.”

When to readThe dua of Yunus (AS), said from inside the fish. The Prophet ﷺ said no Muslim makes this dua in a difficulty except that Allah answers it.

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal-wakeel.

“Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.”

When to readWhat Ibrahim (AS) said as he was thrown into the fire. Short enough to hold onto when a difficult matter is out of your hands.

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ اكْفِنِي كُلَّ مُهِمٍّ مِنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ مِنْ أَيْنَ شِئْتَ

Allahumma Rabbas-samawatis-sab'i wa Rabbal-'Arshil-'Azeem, ikfini kulla muhimmin min haythu shi'ta min ayna shi'ta.

“O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the mighty Throne, be sufficient for me in every difficult matter, however and from wherever You will.”

When to readWhat the Prophet ﷺ taught Ali (RA) to say when facing a difficult matter.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ

Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-'ajzi wal-kasal, wal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa dala'id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijaal.

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, and from being overwhelmed by debt and overpowered by other people.”

When to readTaught to a Companion, Abu Umamah, who was sitting in the mosque outside of prayer time, weighed down by debt — his debts were resolved after making it his morning and evening practice.

أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا

Adhhibil-ba'sa Rabban-nas, ishfi Anta ash-Shaafi, la shifaa'a illa shifaa'uk, shifaa'an la yughaadiru saqama.

“Remove the harm, Lord of mankind, and heal — You are the Healer. There is no healing but Yours, a healing that leaves no illness behind.”

When to readWhat the Prophet ﷺ would say while wiping the body of someone unwell — his own words for visiting the sick, or being sick yourself.

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A'udhu billahi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem.

“I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil.”

When to readThe Prophet ﷺ said these words alone, said consciously, will cool real anger — he taught them to a man visibly furious in front of him.