Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges in North America and is increasingly becoming a global concern. Islam offers a wealth of insights and practical strategies for coping with anxiety and stress, emphasizing spiritual well-being, community support, and balanced living.
Anas (rA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever is mainly concerned about the hereafter, Allah will make him feel independent of others and will make him focused and content, and his worldly affairs will fall into place. But whoever is mainly concerned with this world, Allah will make him feel in constant need of others and will make him distracted and unfocused, and he will get nothing of this world except what is decreed for him.” (Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, no. 2389)
This narration suggests that the most productive mindset for the believer to dispel feelings of stress and anxiety is to disengage the heart—not the actions—from this worldly life and focus on the eternal abode. However, feelings of anxiety and stress are natural, present even in the most pious believers. The wisdom of Islamic teachings acknowledges this, offering a number of supplications for solace and healing.
Du’a to Replace Anxiety with Peace
The Prophet ﷺ taught us this profound supplication for relief from grief and anxiety:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ، ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ، ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ، مَاضٍ فِي حُكْمُكَ، عَدْلٌ فِي قَضَاؤُكَ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ، أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ، أَوِ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي، وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي
Translate.
"O Allah, I am Your servant, child of Your servant, my forelock is in Your hand, Your decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every name You have revealed or kept hidden to make the Qur’an the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the banisher of my sadness, and the reliever of my anxiety." (Musnad Ahmad, no. 3528)
This du’a encourages absolute submission to Allah. Declaring, “I am Your slave, the child of Your male slave and female slave,” expresses humility, as the Prophet ﷺ said, “No one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except Allah raises his status.” (Sahih Muslim, no. 2588)
Du’a for Relief from Worries and Debts
In another instance, Abu Umamah (rA) was seen sitting in the mosque with visible worry. The Prophet ﷺ taught him:
> اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ، وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief, inability and laziness, cowardice and stinginess, and from the overpowering of debt and men." (Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 1555)
This du’a addresses both emotional burdens (anxiety about the future and grief over the past) and practical challenges (financial issues and social injustices). It serves as a powerful reminder that by regularly reciting these prayers, believers can seek divine assistance in overcoming the difficulties that weigh on their hearts.
Hardships as Blessings in Disguise
Times of stress often bring us closer to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said, “If anyone constantly seeks forgiveness [from Allah], Allah will provide relief from every distress, ease from every anxiety, and sustenance from unexpected sources.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 1518)
By regularly seeking forgiveness and making these du’as, we can find peace, strength, and divine support to face life’s challenges.