Dua for Hardship: Islamic Prayers for Difficult Times
Hardship comes to every believer. Some days feel heavier than others. Some moments test your patience, strength, and faith. In these moments, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us to turn to Allah with sincerity and trust. Dua is the doorway to comfort, clarity, and relief.
This guide shares authentic duas for difficult times and reminds us how Allah brings ease after every hardship. It is a source of support for anyone facing challenges and a reminder that your charity can bring relief to others who are struggling around the world.
What Islam Teaches About Hardship
Hardship is part of the believer’s journey. Allah says in Surah Ash-Sharh that with hardship comes ease. This promise appears twice in the surah, reminding us that no difficulty is permanent.
"So, surely with hardship comes ease."
-Quran 94:5
“Surely with ˹that˺ hardship comes ˹more˺ ease.”
-Quran 94:6
There is also a hadith in Sahih Bukhari that teaches us that no fatigue or illness or worry touches a believer except that Allah removes sins through it.
Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (RA) and Abu Hurairah (RA):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "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 al-Bukhari 5641
This perspective helps us remain patient and hopeful during difficult moments.
The Prophet’s Dua for Anxiety
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever recites this dua during distress will find relief:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Allahumma innee a’uzubika min alhammi wal huzni wal ajzi wal kasli wal bukhli wal jubni wa dala’id dayni wa galabatir rijaal.
“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
This dua teaches three things:
- We rely on Allah completely.
- We ask Him to guide our decisions.
- We trust that relief will come in the best way.
A Dua for Stress
When stress builds, it often comes from carrying fears, responsibilities, or outcomes that feel too heavy. This dua reminds you that Allah is the One who manages your affairs. You do what you can, then you hand the burden over to Him. Stress eases when trust increases.
حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ
Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakeel.
Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.
- Surah Ale-Imran 3:173
Dua for Distress
It was narrated that Asma’ bint ‘Umais said:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught me some words to say at times of distress:
اللَّهُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي لاَ أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا
Allah! Allahu Rabbi la ushriku bihi shay’an
“Allah, Allah is my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him”
A Dua for Overwhelming Worry or Sadness
This is a Qur’anic verse from Surah Al Baqarah, revealed to remind believers that their challenges are never beyond their strength. It is one of the most recited ayahs during moments of stress or sadness.
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
La yukallifu Allahu nafsan illa wusAAaha
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.”
- Surah Baqarah, 2:286
A Dua for Strength When You Feel Weak
It was narrated from Shadad bin Aws that:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say in his prayer
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الثَّبَاتَ فِي الأَمْرِ وَالْعَزِيمَةِ عَلَى الرُّشْدِ وَأَسْأَلُكَ شُكْرَ نِعْمَتِكَ وَحُسْنَ عِبَادَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ قَلْبًا سَلِيمًا وَلِسَانًا صَادِقًا وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا تَعْلَمُ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا تَعْلَمُ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا تَعْلَمُ
"Allahumma inni as'aluka at-thabbuta fi al-amr wal-'azimata 'alar-rushdi wa as'aluka shukr ni'matik wa husna 'ibadatik wa as'aluka qalban saliman wa lisanan sadiqan wa as'aluka min khairi ma at'lamu wa author bika min sharri ma at'lamu wastaghfiruka lima ta'lam
“O Allah, I ask You for steadfastness in all my affairs and determination in following the right path, I ask You to make me thankful for Your blessings and to make me worship You properly. I ask You for a sound heart and a truthful tongue. I ask You for the best of what You know and I seek refuge in You from the worst of what You know and I seek Your forgiveness for what You know”
-Sunan an-Nasa'i 1304
Helping Others Through Sadaqah During Hardship
When you pray for relief, consider offering relief to someone else. Many scholars say that giving Sadaqah during hardship brings blessings and removes difficulty. The Prophet taught that charity protects a person from calamity and brings ease to their affairs.
Your Sadaqah can:
Your dua brings comfort to your heart. Your charity brings comfort to someone else.
How to Stay Close to Allah During Difficult Times
You can strengthen your spiritual routine by:
- making a few minutes of dua after each prayer
- waking up briefly for Tahajjud
- reading even one ayah of Qur’an
- giving small amounts of Sadaqah
- saying Dhkir: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar throughout the day
These small habits bring light to your heart and invite blessings into your life.
There Is Always Ease After Hardship
No storm lasts forever. Allah promises that relief is near. When you make dua, you are not just asking for a solution. You are building trust, patience, and resilience. You are drawing closer to the One who hears every whisper and heals every wound.
May these duas bring peace to your heart. May Allah remove your hardship and the hardship of families around the world. And may your Sadaqah bring light to someone who is struggling today.
