Dua in Times of Great Distress

August 13, 2026

Sıkıntı Anında Okunacak Dua Okunuşu ve Anlamı

Explanation

This is a short and powerful dua recited in moments of severe distress and hardship. It begins with declarations of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and then moves directly to asking Allah for help.

Dua Text

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ

Transliteration

La ilaha illallahul-‘Alimul-Hakim, la ilaha illallahu Rabbul-‘Arshil-‘Azim. Ya Hayyu ya Qayyumu bi-rahmatika astaghith.

Meaning

There is no god but Allah; He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. There is no god but Allah; He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne. O Allah, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all! By Your mercy I ask You for help.

What Is Asked in This Dua

In this dua, at the hardest moment of distress, the servant first affirms the oneness of Allah. They remember Him with the attributes “the All-Knowing” and “the All-Wise”; in this way they recall that the hardship they are in is not outside Allah’s knowledge and that there is wisdom in this state. Then, by remembering Allah as “the Lord of the Mighty Throne,” they express His majesty and His sovereignty over all things.

In the last sentence, the servant calls upon Allah by His names al-Hayy (the Ever-Living) and al-Qayyum (the Sustainer of all) and asks for help through His mercy. This short sentence sums up that the way out of distress depends on the mercy of Allah, who sustains all things. The dua also exemplifies the fine etiquette of supplication: first knowing Allah, then asking of Him.

When and How to Recite

The Dua in Times of Great Distress is recited in moments of severe distress and hardship. The source book recommends reciting it when the distress is at its most intense; no specific time or number of recitations is mentioned.

Since it is short, it can be repeated whenever distress is felt. Being in a state of wudu is preferable, and it is good to recite it while reflecting on the meaning of its declarations of tawhid. Those who find the Arabic difficult may also make the dua using its meaning in their own language.

Virtue

It is recommended to recite it at the moments when distress is at its most intense.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the dua for times of great distress recited?

It is recommended to recite it in moments of severe distress and hardship, especially when the distress is at its most intense.

Is there a set number of times to recite the dua for distress?

The source book mentions no specific number of recitations; since it is short, it can be repeated for as long as the distress lasts.

What is the meaning of the dua for great distress?

It affirms Allah’s oneness, His knowledge and wisdom, and that He is the Lord of the Throne; then it asks for help from His mercy, calling on Him by the names al-Hayy and al-Qayyum.

Source

Majmu'at al-Ahzab, vol. 1, p. 576.

The text on this page was prepared by Dua Kitaplığı based on the work cited above. The Arabic text has been transcribed from the original with its vowel marks, and the transliteration in Latin letters and the English meaning are given separately. No virtue or number that does not appear in the source is added to this page. How do we prepare our content?

Published: 13 August 2026 · Last updated: 9 October 2026