Duas for Distress and Hardship

Frequently Asked Questions

Which dua should you recite in times of distress?

This section gathers duas recited to remove distress, to be freed from hardship and for relief and ease. The dua of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) in the belly of the fish (La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin) is the dua most often recommended in times of distress.

What should I do if my distress doesn’t go away even though I make dua?

A dua is answered in one of three ways: what was asked for is given, an equal harm is averted, or its reward is kept for the Hereafter. That is why a dua never goes unanswered. Patience and persistence are part of dua.

How many times should a dua for distress be recited?

For duas for which the source gives a number, that number is stated on the dua’s page; for the others, the number is up to you. What matters is not the number but repeating the dua persistently while reflecting on its meaning.