Dua in Times of Hardship

Explanation
This is a comprehensive dua recited in times of hardship and distress. It brings together requests concerning both this world and the Hereafter.
Dua Text
إِلٰهِي بِأَخَصِّ صِفَاتِكَ وَبِعِزَّةِ جَلَالِكَ وَبِأَعْظَمِ أَسْمَائِكَ وَبِعِصْمَةِ أَنْبِيَائِكَ وَبِنُورِ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَبِدَمِ شُهَدَائِكَ أَسْأَلُكَ زِيَادَةً فِي الْعِلْمِ وَتَوْبَةً قَبْلَ الْمَوْتِ وَرَاحَةً عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَمَغْفِرَةً بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَنَجَاةً مِنَ النَّارِ وَدُخُولًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَعَافِيَةً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ، بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Transliteration
Ilahi bi-akhassi sifatika wa bi-‘izzati jalalika wa bi-a’zami asma’ika wa bi-‘ismati anbiya’ika wa bi-nuri awliya’ika wa bi-dami shuhada’ika as’aluka ziyadatan fil-‘ilmi wa tawbatan qablal-mawti wa rahatan ‘indal-mawti wa maghfiratan ba’dal-mawti wa najatan minan-nari wa dukhulan fil-jannati wa ‘afiyatan fid-dunya wal-akhirah, bi-rahmatika ya Arhamar-rahimin.
Meaning
O Allah! For the sake of Your most exalted attributes, the might of Your majesty, Your most sublime names, the infallibility of Your prophets, the light of Your saints and the blood of Your martyrs, I ask of You: increase my knowledge, and grant me repentance before death, ease at the moment of death, forgiveness after death, salvation from the Fire, entry into Paradise, and well-being in this world and the Hereafter. By Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful.
What Is Asked in This Dua
In this dua, the servant presents their request by mentioning things that are precious in Allah’s sight: they plead for the sake of Allah’s most exalted attributes, the might of His majesty, His most sublime names, the infallibility of His prophets, the light of His saints and the blood of His martyrs. This opening is the servant acknowledging their own lack of worth and taking as a means (wasilah) the values with which Allah is pleased.
The requests, meanwhile, encompass an entire lifetime. The servant asks for their knowledge to increase; to repent before death, to find ease at the moment of death and to be forgiven after death; to be saved from the Fire and to enter Paradise; and to live in well-being in this world and the Hereafter. Made in a moment of distress, this dua asks Allah’s mercy not only for deliverance from the hardship of the moment but for the whole of happiness in this world and the Hereafter.
When and How to Recite
The Dua in Times of Hardship is recited in times of hardship and distress. The source book recommends reciting it sincerely and imploringly; no specific time or number of recitations is mentioned, and it can be recited whenever distress is felt.
Since it contains comprehensive requests concerning this world and the Hereafter, reciting it while reflecting on its meaning is especially important. Being in a state of wudu is preferable. 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 sincerely and imploringly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the dua for times of hardship recited?
It is recited in times of hardship and distress; the source book mentions no specific time and recommends reciting it sincerely and imploringly.
What is the meaning of the dua for times of hardship?
For the sake of Allah’s attributes and names, His prophets, saints and martyrs, it asks for increased knowledge, repentance, ease at death, forgiveness, salvation from the Fire, Paradise and well-being.
Can the dua for times of hardship be recited in English?
Yes, those who find the Arabic difficult may also make the dua using its meaning in English; what matters is turning to Allah sincerely and with an understanding of its meaning.
Source
Majmu'at al-Ahzab, vol. 1, p. 577.
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: 15 August 2026 · Last updated: 9 October 2026
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