What dua should I read for anxiety and stress?

Several authentic duas help with anxiety: (1) 'Ala bi dhikrillahi tatma'innul qulub' — Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest (Quran 13:28). (2) The Prophet's ﷺ dua seeking refuge from worry and grief (Sahih Muslim). (3) The Dua of Yunus: 'La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin' — the Prophet ﷺ said no Muslim calls upon Allah with this except that Allah responds.

Can dua help with depression in Islam?

Yes. The Quran describes itself as 'a healing for what is in the chests' (10:57). The Prophet ﷺ taught specific duas for sadness and said whoever recites 'O Allah, make the Quran the spring of my heart and the banisher of my sadness' — Allah will replace their sorrow with joy (Ahmad). Alongside dua, Islam also encourages seeking professional help when needed.

How often should I recite these duas?

There is no strict limit. Many of these duas are part of the morning and evening adhkar (daily remembrances) and can be recited multiple times. The dua of Yunus, 'Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal wakeel', and others can be repeated throughout the day. Consistency is key — even reciting a few daily brings lasting peace.

What Quran surah is best for anxiety?

Several surahs are especially beneficial: Surah Ash-Sharh (94) with the verse 'with hardship comes ease', Surah Ar-Ra'd (13:28) on hearts finding rest in dhikr, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286) asking Allah not to burden us beyond our capacity, and Ayat al-Kursi (2:255) for protection and peace. Regular Quran recitation itself is a form of healing.

Dua for Anxiety — Islamic Prayer in Arabic & English

1

Quran 13:28

أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ

Ala bi dhikrillahi tatma'innul qulub

Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.

When to recite: Anytime you feel anxious or overwhelmed. Repeat as dhikr throughout the day.

2

Sahih Muslim

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ

Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wa a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-kasal, wa a'udhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa a'udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from weakness and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, and from being overcome by debt and overpowered by men.

When to recite: Morning and evening adhkar, or whenever feeling stressed or overwhelmed by life's burdens.

3

Quran 94:5-6

فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ، إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

Fa inna ma'al 'usri yusra, inna ma'al 'usri yusra

For indeed, with hardship will be ease. Indeed, with hardship will be ease.

When to recite: During difficult times as a reminder that relief is coming. Recite repeatedly for comfort.

4

Quran 2:286

رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِنْ نَسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ

Rabbana la tu'akhidhna in nasina aw akhta'na. Rabbana wa la tahmil 'alayna isran kama hamaltahu 'alal-ladhina min qablina. Rabbana wa la tuhammilna ma la taqata lana bih

Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear.

When to recite: When feeling burdened by responsibilities or overwhelmed by life's challenges.

5

Tirmidhi

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin

There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.

When to recite: The dua of Prophet Yunus (Jonah) ﷺ — recite when in distress. No Muslim calls upon Allah with this dua except that Allah responds.

6

Ahmad

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ، ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ، ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي وَنُورَ صَدْرِي وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي

Allahumma inni 'abduka, ibnu 'abdika, ibnu amatika, nasiyati bi yadika, madin fiyya hukmuka, 'adlun fiyya qada'uka, as'aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka an taj'alal Qur'ana rabi'a qalbi wa nura sadri wa jala'a huzni wa dhahaba hammi

O Allah, I am Your servant, son of Your servant, son of Your maidservant. My forelock is in Your hand, Your command over me is forever executed, and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You which You have named Yourself with, that You make the Quran the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the banisher of my sadness and the reliever of my distress.

When to recite: This is one of the most powerful duas for sadness and depression. The Prophet ﷺ said whoever says it, Allah will replace their sorrow with joy.

7

Quran 65:3

وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ

Wa man yatawakkal 'alallahi fahuwa hasbuh

And whoever relies upon Allah — then He is sufficient for him.

When to recite: When anxious about the future or uncertain about outcomes. Trust in Allah's plan.

8

Bukhari & Muslim

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal wakeel

Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.

When to recite: In times of fear and anxiety. This was said by Prophet Ibrahim when thrown into fire and by the Companions at Uhud.

Dua for Anxiety & Stress — Islamic Relief

🤲 Duas for Anxiety & Stress Relief

💚 Benefits of These Duas

📚 Recommended Books

📕 Don't Be Sad — Dr. Aaidh al-Qarni

📕 Fortress of the Muslim (Hisn al-Muslim)

📱 Access All Duas in the App

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