Dua for Protection from Cowardice and Miserliness

Explanation

This is a dua for seeking refuge in Allah from cowardice, miserliness, being crushed under debt and the oppression of people.

The dua consists of two sentences and seeks refuge from four things: “jubn” (cowardice), “bukhl” (miserliness), “ghalabat ad-dayn” (debt getting the upper hand, being crushed under debt) and “qahr ar-rijal” (the pressure and oppression of people). The first two are traits that come from within a person; the last two are burdens that come from outside. This dua, which is among the things the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sought refuge from, asks for protection both from the traits that corrupt a person’s character and from the outside pressures that crush their dignity.

When and How to Recite

It has no set time. It can be recited when you feel the strain of debt, the fear of becoming dependent on others or a lack of courage; reciting it after the prayers is common.

The source book states that cowardice is a trait unbecoming of a Muslim, that the One truly to be feared is Allah, and that miserliness is forbidden in many verses of the Holy Quran.

Among the recommended practices is for people in debt, those who are being crushed in their working life and those who show cowardice in making decisions to recite this dua morning and evening. To complement the dua, train your ego through charity (sadaqah) and spending in Allah’s way against miserliness, and put your trust in Allah (tawakkul) against cowardice.

Virtue

The source book states that cowardice is a bad trait unbecoming of a Muslim, although one should fear Allah; that miserliness is forbidden in many verses of the Holy Quran; and that a miserly person is loved neither by Allah, nor by the angels, nor by the prophets, nor by people. One must seek refuge in Allah from this bad state.