Anxiety and stress can happen to anyone, and the main reason behind it is sadness. According to a report published on WHO’s website, more than 301 million people suffer from anxiety disorder globally, most of them women.
In the United States, almost 19.1% of adults suffer from anxiety disorder, with 23.4% females and 14.3% males. In the UK alone, more than 8 million people are experiencing different types of anxiety disorders.
But don’t worry—we’ve got your back. We have compiled the best dua for anxiety, stress, and sadness, which will change your mood and bring you happiness and Allah’s blessings.
Note: These duas are not intended to replace professional assistance.
Best Dua for Anxiety
Before we go into the best duas for anxiety, let’s discuss the reasons for anxiety. A combination of stress, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors usually triggers anxiety. Prolonged stress from work, relationships, or significant life changes is one of the most common causes.
Allah says in the Quran, “This is˺ a Book sent down to you ˹O Prophet˺—do not let anxiety into your heart regarding it.” —Surah Al-Araf Verse 2
You should work on yourself to eliminate these factors affecting your health by causing anxiety. You can use these duas to reduce anxiety simultaneously.
للَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Dua for Anxiety English transliteration: Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal hazani, wal-kasali, wal-bukhli, wal-jubni, wa dala’id-dain, wa ghalabatir-rijal
English translation: O Allah, I seek refuge with You from worry, grief, laziness, miserliness, cowardice, difficult debt, and being overpowered by men.
Hadith: It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: “The Prophet [SAW] used to say: ‘Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal hazani, wal-kasali, wal-bukhli, wal-jubni, wa dala’id-dain, wa ghalabatir-rija. —Sunan an-Nasa’i 5476
Explanation: In this Hadith, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is directly seeking Allah’s refuge from worry, anxiety, stress, laziness, and defeat.
Dua for Stress and Anxiety
اَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ
Dua for streass English transliteration: La ilaha illal-lahu Al-`Azim, al- Halim, La ilaha illal-lahu Rabbu-s-samawati wal-ard wa Rabbu-l-arsh il-azim.
English translation: There is no deity but Allah, the Great, the Forbearing. There is no deity but Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth, and the Lord of the Great Throne.
Hadith: Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (PBUH) used to invoke Allah at the time of distress, saying, “La ilaha illal-lahu Al-`Azim, al- Halim, La ilaha illal-lahu Rabbu-s-samawati wal-ard wa Rabbu-l-arsh il-azim.”—Sahih al-Bukhari 6345
Explanation: The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to recite this dua whenever he was distressed. In this dua, the Holy Prophet is asking for Allah’s blessings by defining the greatness of Allah and how he is the only true God to be worshiped.
Dua for Anxiety and Sadness
Islam is a religion of peace and prosperity, with dua and supplications for almost everything. We have dua for breaking fast and dua for entering a mosque, etc, which adds Allah’s mercy and blessings.
Here is a dua for anxiety and sadness from Hadith.
للّهُـمَّ رَحْمَتَـكَ أَرْجـو فَلا تَكِلـني إِلى نَفْـسي طَـرْفَةَ عَـيْن، وَأَصْلِـحْ لي شَأْنـي كُلَّـه لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أنْـت
Dua for anxiety and sadness English transliteration: Allāhumma raḥmataka arjū falā takilnī ilā nafsī ṭarfata `ayn, wa aṣliḥ lī sha’nī kullah, lā ilāha illā ant. —Hisn al-Muslim 123
English translation: O Allah, I hope for Your mercy. Do not leave me to myself even for the blinking of an eye (i.e. a moment). Correct all of my affairs for me. There is none worthy of worship but You.
Explanation: The hadith is mentioned in Hins Al-Muslim and is referenced from Abu Dawud 4/324, Ahmad 5/42. Al-Albani graded it as good in Sahih Abu Dawud 3/959.
In this Hadith, we are seeking Allah’s help to alleviate sadness and anxiety. We are pleading with Allah for mercy and asking Him not to leave us alone. Additionally, we affirm that Allah is the one and only true God, worthy of worship, and we ask Him to guide us in life and rectify the daily matters that cause our sadness and anxiety.
Dua for Anxiety and Depression
Depression has become one of the most reported illnesses among youngsters. We believe this is due to social isolation, extreme usage of mobile phones, etc.
The best thing you can do to overcome depression is to socialize as much as possible. However, this dua for depression and anxiety can help as a supplement.
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْث
Dua of Depression English transliteration: Yā Ḥayyu yā Qayyūm, bi-raḥmatika astaghīth
English translation: O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, in Your Mercy I seek relief.
Hadith: Anas bin Malik said: “Whenever a matter would distress him, the Prophet (PBUH) would say: ‘O Living, O Self-Sustaining Sustainer! In Your Mercy do I seek relief (Yā Ḥayyu yā Qayyūm, bi-raḥmatika astaghīth).’” And with this chain, that he said: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘Be constant with: “O Possessor of Majesty and Honor (Yā Dhal-Jalāli wal-Ikrām).’” — Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3524
Explanation: The dua for depression and anxiety starts with praising Allah, Forever living and sustainable. I seek your mercy; please help me sustain this depression effectively.
Dua for Overthinkng and Anxiety
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
English transliteration: Rabbi ishrah li sadri wa yassir li amri, wahlul ‘uqdatam min lisaani yafqahu qawli
English translation: My Lord! Uplift my heart for me, make my task easy, and remove the impediment from my tongue so people may understand my speech. — Surah Taha Verse 25-28
Explanation: This is no ordinary dua. Prophet Moses (PBUH) made this prayer during a crucial test against Pharaoh, the ruler of that era. His mission was to convince the people of the existence of the one true God, Allah, who alone is deserving of worship.
Dua for Nervousness and Anxiety
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ اللَّهُمَّ أْجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيبَتِي وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْرًا مِنْهَا إِلاَّ أَجَرَهُ اللَّهُ فِي مُصِيبَتِهِ وَأَخْلَفَ لَهُ خَيْرًا مِنْهَا
English transliteration: Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon. Allahumma ajurni fi musibati wa akhlif li khayran minha illa ajarahu Allahu fi musibatihi wa akhlafa lahu khayran minha.
English translation: Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return. O Allah, reward me in my affliction and replace it for me with something better.
Hadith: Umm Salama, the wife of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying: If any servant (of Allah) who suffers a calamity says:” We belong to Allah and to Him shall we return; O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in exchange for it,” ‘ Allah will give him reward for affliction, and would give him something better than it in exchange. She (Umm Salama) said: When Abu Salama died. I uttered (these very words) as I was commanded (to do) by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). So Allah gave me better in exchange than him. i. e. (I was taken as the wife of) the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).
Explanation: In this Hadith you can see that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is saying that we belong to Allah and we will return to him. However you can ask for Allah’s mercy for anything that is causing you anxiety and nervousness and he will grant you a better alternative.
The term Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon holds an important aspect in Islamic society. It is used to ask Allah to reduce our pain and give us a better alternative to what you have taken from us.
Dua for Fear, Anxiety and Sorrow
The best dua for fear and sorrow is Dua-e-Yunus. Those who don’t know the story of Prophet Yunus (PBUH) should read Surah Al-Anbiya.
This dua was made by Prophet Yunus (PBUH) when he was swallowed by a whale, shifting him to a dark, wet place in ocean depth. With great sorrow, fear, and anxiety, Prophet Yunus (PBUH) asked for Allah’s forgiveness and made this dua.
لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّيْ كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِيْنَ
English transliteration: La illaha illa anta subhanak ‘inny kuntu min aldhaalimeen. —Surah Anbiya Verse 87
English translation: There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong.
Wrap Up
We have discussed the best duas for anxiety, stress, depression, nervousness, and much more so that you can benefit from them. We have provided references mostly from Hadiths and a few Quranic verses.
We hope you will find this guide useful in difficult times and share it with your friends and family. We will keep this blog updated with new examples and prayers.
FAQs
What is the dua for an anxiety attack?
If you are experiencing an anxiety attack, immediately seek medical attention. Additionally, recite “Astaghfirullah” to seek Allah’s forgiveness and find comfort.
You can also recite any of the duas mentioned above to help reduce anxiety or make any other supplication for forgiveness that you know.
Best dua for anxiety in Islam?
We have mentioned the best dua for stress and anxiety above. Here are a few ways to calm down anxiety attacks.
- Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr): Finding peace through constant remembrance of Allah.
- Seeking Refuge in Prayer (Salah): Using prayer for guidance and relief.
- Patience and Gratitude: Facing life’s challenges with perseverance and thankfulness.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Balancing physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
- Reciting Duas: Seeking comfort and protection through supplications from the Quran and Hadith.
Best Surahs to reduce anxiety, depression and stress
Here is a list of Quranic verses to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression.
- Surah Al-Fatihah (The Opening)
- Surah Al-Isra (The Night Journey)
- Surah Maryam (Mary)
- Surah Ta-Ha
- Surah Al-Anbiya (The Prophets)
- Surah Ar-Rahman (The Most Gracious)
- Surah Ad-Dhuha (The Forenoon)
- Surah Al-Inshirah (The Relief)
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (The Sincerity)
- Surah Al-Falaq (The Daybreak)
- Surah An-Nas (The Mankind)
What does the Quran say about anxiety?
This is˺ a Book sent down to you ˹O Prophet˺—do not let anxiety into your heart regarding it—so with it you may warn ˹the disbelievers˺, and as a reminder to the believers.
The Quran says not to let anxiety rule your heart. You have the Quran, which was sent as a way to light. The cure to all problems.
Does the Holy Prophet (PBUH) have anxiety?
Yes, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was anxious and distressed. He recites multiple supplications daily to counter it. Some of these supplications are mentioned above in the blog.
What is the dua for anxiety from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
للَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
English transliteration: Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal hazani, wal-kasali, wal-bukhli, wal-jubni, wa dala’id-dain, wa ghalabatir-rijal
What else should you know?
Here is a list of powerful Islamic duas you should know.
