Even the greatest among humans, like our Prophets, had also suffered from depression and anxiety, so it’s not only an ordinary human trait. Therefore, in times of calamity, Allah revealed certain duas for stress and anxiety for them.
Shaytan has whispered his evil and harmful thoughts into humans from the beginning of time to weaken their Imaan and fill their hearts with disappointment.
Therefore, Allah revealed these duas to protect humans and their hearts from the evil whispering of Shaytan [Devil].
This article contains several dua for stress, anxiety and depression, which are all taken from the Holy Quran and Hadith. Moreover, this article also contains the duas of Prophets in times of stress.
How Should Muslims Avoid Stress and Anxiety?
In the Holy Quran, Hadith, and Sunnah, Duas are described as the most powerful tools for communication with Allah.
In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186, Allah communicates the importance of Dua by saying, “I [Allah] am truly near.” He responds to his creation upon being prayed to, so one should always make dua for stressful times.
The following are the most powerful Quranic supplications for stress and anxiety:
1. Prophet Muhammad’s Dua for Stress
If you’re suffering from stress, below is one of the most powerful duas for stress and anxiety that our beloved Prophet (P.B.U.H) said in distressing times.
This dua shows the greatness of Allah (SWT); Allah, Who is the King of all the worlds and Who is the greatest, can ease the pain and stress of his creation if he will.
2. Dua for Worry, Grief and Burden
When one feels that he’s handicapped to do something or something is entirely out of one’s capability, it can be quite depressing.
Moreover, financial debts and other burdens can also put a weight on one’s heart; therefore, if you feel worried and feel any kind of grief due to such matters, then the following is the best dua for grief.
3. Dua for Distress
This dua is one of the supplications of the distressed referenced from Abu Dawud 4/324.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H) advised his daughter, Fatima R.A, on a similar version of the dua.
This dua shows a human’s dependence on Allah (SWT); it means you ask Allah not to leave you alone even for something as small as blinking an eye, let alone something as big as being stressed or anxious.
Another beautiful dua for distress is below:
4. Dua for Well-Being (Emotional, Mental, Spiritual, and Physical)
If you’re looking for an all-rounder dua that covers everything from your physical to mental and spiritual health, then this dua covers it all.
Not only this, it also asks for Afiyah and Khair in the afterlife. By reciting this dua, your matters will be corrected, as this dua is a plea for correcting all your matters. In fact, the Prophet himself made this dua every day, in the morning and evening.
5. Dua for sadness and grief
The human heart tends to feel more negative emotions, such as anger, fear, and sorrow. Sometimes, sadness can consume the best of and in such times, remembrance of God is the most important thing.
Following is an important way to relieve oneself from sadness and distress. The dua below shows that Allah (SWT) is the controller of every matter, and we’re His mere slaves, He has control over us. If He wills, He can banish the sadness and give us relief.
6. Dua of Prophet Yunus (A.S.)
Below is the Dua that Prophet Yunus (A.S) read when he was in the belly of the whale, and it was the most stressful time for him. He repented and eventually, Allah (SWT) provided him relief.
7. Dua of Prophet Musa (A.S.):
This small, beautiful Prophet Musa’s Dua was made by him when he felt stressed. Pharaoh was chasing him at that time, and he had killed a man accidentally.
He was in a strange land with no family around with no one to trust. He helped two maidens in that strange land to get water even in times of stress. This was when he made this dua in a time of need and loneliness.
So this is a dua for loneliness and a dua for anxiety and stress.
8. Dua of Prophet Ayub (A.S.)
Prophet Ayub was probably the most tested yet the most thankful Prophet of Allah.
Hazrat Ayub (A.S) always thanked Allah, but Shaytan said this was because he had everything, tested him by taking his everything, so Allah did. (Reference: Stories of Prophet: Pg 92-96)
He was with his wealth, health, children, crops, and everything; yet, not once did he complain;. This is when he made this dua.
9. Dua for Low Mood and Depression
Ad-Duha isn’t a dua but a beautiful small Surah that communicates about the ever-lasting presence of Allah in one’s life.
It shows hope, the favors of Allah, and how Allah never leaves his humans even in the darkest of times, Allah (SWT) is always there for his creation.
It’s a beautiful Surah for curing low mood and depression.
10. Dua for Ease
If you’re facing any hardship, then read this dua as much as you can, as it shows that Allah provides ease in every difficulty, and He has a solution for every problem, and nothing happens with His will.
11. Duas for Negative Thoughts
If you ever find yourself struggling with any kind of negative thoughts, then know they are the work of the devil. Recite this dua to ask for refuge in Allah from Shaytan.
12. Simple Wazifas and Duas for Stress and Anxiety
While there is no concept of Wazifas in light of the Holy Quran and Sunnah, Wazifa literally means “Amount.”
Quran also forbids the practice of anything in an innvoted manner. So, you cannot recite anything on your own by making certain combinations.
For instance, recite 200 times this ayah and 300 times that ayah and call it a Wazifa of your own until and unless the Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith have mentioned the amount of some dua to be read.
Below is an instance which can provide you relief if read 7 times, as it has been verified in several Hadith books and are classified to Maarfu authorship.
Another instance below that has been verified from several canonical Hadith books is a dua to stay safe from every kind of harm.
This includes negative and faith-weakening thoughts that might put you through stress and anxiety. So you can recite them three times in the morning and three times in the evening.
What Islam Says About Depression and Tips to Stay Away from Stress and Anxiety
Feeling depressed, anxious and stressed is normal; these are human traits. The Quran is full of instances which show how our Prophets dealt with hard times, suffered several losses and even grieved.
For instance, upon being distanced from his son, Hazrat Yusuf (A.S), Hazrat Yaqub cried and grieved to the extent that he lost his eyesight (Stories of Prophets – Page 69-91)
Not only this, but our beloved Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) used to cry day and night for his ummah to save them from the hellfire.
In fact, our Prophets were the most tested among people among mankind by the lord. But they always returned to the lord, even when they felt stressed, or worried, or even when they grieved.
Because the Prophets were sent down to mankind as role models and examples, we should always learn from and follow their example.
We should always turn to Allah in times of happiness to thank him and in times of sadness to ask for relief.
Moreover, to stay away from stress and anxiety, the following are some tips:
- Never miss your prayers. Frequent remembrance of Allah (SWT) strengthens faith.
- Recite the Quran more often as the Quran offers solutions to all worries and ailments and brings peace.
- Recite “Astaghfirullah” and “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” more often to seek refuge from Shaytaan, as he’s the whisperer of negative thoughts that might bring depression, anxiety, and worries.
- Make sure to recite “Hasbiya Allah wa ni’mal-Wakil,” which means you’re trusting Allah by saying he’s sufficient for you.
- Do deeds that promote building a stronger relationship with God so that you can acquire more of his blessings
Moreover, in case of any mental health issue, receive proper health treatment from a doctor.
Final Thoughts
Quran and Hadiths provide us insights into several duas, including duas for stress and anxiety.
Throughout history, humans have suffered from these emotions, including our prophets like Hazrat Musa (A.S), Hazrat Yaqub (A.S), Hazrat Ayub (A.S), Hazrat Yunus (A.S), and Hazrat Prophet (P.B.U.H).
Multiple Quranic supplications have been mentioned, which Prophets read at times of difficulty. A few examples are Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), Prophet Musa (A.S), Prophet Ayub (A.S), and Prophet Yunus (A.S).
Along with these duas for stress and anxiety, there are certain tips to avoid stress and anxiety.
For instance, doing deeds that keep you closer to Allah, such as performing Salat, reading the Quran, doing good deeds, reading Astagfar, and similar Tasbeehs to stay away from Shaytan’s whispers.
Along with this, you should also visit a doctor and receive proper treatment.