Five Duas to Recite in a Difficult Situation

By Amina Salau

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested?” (29:2)

When we encounter any difficulty in an aspect of life, the verse above reminds us that it is a test from our Creator. We understand that this is a trial and we accept His decree, but we still need to pray to Him for ease in our affairs. This is why some supplications, like the ones below, are beneficial for a Muslim going through a difficult situation.

لا إله إلا الله العظيم الحليم، لا إله إلا الله رب العرش العظيم، لا إله إلا الله رب السماوات ورب الأرض ورب العرش الكريم‏”‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sa) used to say when he was in distress:

“None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Incomparably Great, the Compassionate. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Lord of the Mighty Throne. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Lord of the heavens, the Lord of the earth, and the Lord of the Honourable Throne.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Praising Allah is a good way of seeking His help, and this prayer in particular helps us reaffirm His supremacy as the disposer of our affairs. When you express that He is Incomparable and the Lord of the Mighty Throne, your heart feels at ease, knowing that He will take care of you during difficult times. Who else can alleviate the suffering of a human other than the Lord of the earth?

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ‏.‏

Anas narrated that the most frequent invocation of the Prophet (sa) was:

“O Allah! Give good to us in the world and good to us in the hereafter, and save us from the torment of the fire.” (2.201) (Bukhari)

At times, when you start to supplicate, you feel at a loss for words. No matter how well you express yourself in a supplication, the difficulties still weigh you down. You often cannot even articulate your worries and supplicate coherently. There is a reason why this prayer is the most frequent of the Prophet (sa). It asks for all that is good in this world and the hereafter as well as protection from the fire. It basically encompasses everything a Muslim needs from Allah (swt). So, even if you are at a loss as to how to communicate your need in trying times, this supplication says it for you.

اللَّهُمَّ رَحْمَتَكَ أَرْجُو فَلَا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ وَأَصْلِحْ شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

Abu Bakr reported the following supplication for those who are distressed:

“O Allah, I hope for Your mercy. Do not leave me even for the blink of an eye and correct my entire condition. Besides You there is none worthy of worship.”

(Recorded by Ibn Hibban and graded reliable by Ibn H@ajar)

In good times, and in the not so good ones, Muslims should continue to seek Allah’s mercy. He is Ar-Raheem (The Merciful), and only He possesses the power to grant ease to whomever He wills. This prayer is a plea to Allah (swt) to grant one that mercy and ease the difficulty.

اللّهُـمَّ لا سَـهْلَ إِلاّ ما جَعَلـتَهُ سَهـلاً، وَأَنْتَ تَجْـعَلُ الْحَـزَنَ إِذا شِـئْتَ سَهـْلاً

O Allah, there is no ease except in what You have made easy, and You make the difficulty, if You wish, easy.

(Recorded by Ibn Hibban; authenticated by Ibn Hajar)

This is an excellent supplication to ask Allah (swt) to for ease.

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيل

“Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Guardian.” (3:173)

For those of us who are going through a difficult situation, there is a great deal of comfort to be derived from reminding ourselves that no one can help us apart from Allah (swt). He is sufficient for us during good times and bad, and no one can guard us like our Creator.

May Allah (swt) ease the affairs of everyone going through a difficult situation, ameen.

Amina Salau is a freelance writer who is passionate about women’s issues in Islam