• info@al-dirassa.com

Duas Against Anxiety and Fear in Islam: Arabic, Transliteration and English

October 18, 2023 – Al-Dirassa Institute

Word fear on wooden blocks illustrating parental concern

In Islam, duas have an important place in calming the heart, strengthening trust in Allah and seeking His help against anxiety, fear, distress and sadness.

When facing the difficulties of life, a believer turns to Allah through prayer, Quran recitation, adhkar and supplications. These duas are not just words to repeat; they remind the heart that true peace comes from Allah and that the believer is never alone when turning back to Him.

In this article, you will discover several duas against anxiety and fear in Islam, with Arabic text, transliteration, English translation and practical advice to include them in a balanced spiritual routine.

In summary: among the duas against anxiety, fear and distress in Islam, a Muslim may recite Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Huwa..., La ilaha illa Allah al-‘Azim al-Halim..., A‘udhu bi kalimatillahi at-tammati... and Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika mina al-hammi wal-hazan.... These duas should be recited with trust in Allah, while also taking lawful means when anxiety becomes intense or persistent.

Duas do not replace professional help when anxiety becomes intense

In Islam, duas, Quran recitation, prayer and remembrance of Allah are important means to calm the heart and strengthen trust in Allah. However, when anxiety becomes intense, persistent, overwhelming or accompanied by strong physical symptoms, it is also necessary to take lawful means, such as consulting a doctor or a qualified professional.

A believer can do both: turn sincerely to Allah and seek appropriate help when needed. This does not reduce faith; it is part of taking permissible means.

1. Dua to calm fear

When a believer feels afraid, they may remind their heart that Allah is sufficient and that He is the best protector.

Arabic:

حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ

Transliteration: Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Huwa, ‘alayhi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabbul-‘arshil-‘azim.

Translation: Allah is sufficient for me. There is no deity except Him. I place my trust in Him, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne.

Meaning: This dua reminds the believer to rely fully upon Allah. It helps the heart move away from excessive fear and remember that all affairs belong to Allah.

2. Dua for distress and anxiety

Among the known supplications for moments of distress is this formula of glorification and recognition of Allah’s greatness.

Arabic:

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ

Transliteration: La ilaha illa Allah al-‘Azim al-Halim, la ilaha illa Allah Rabbus-samawati wal-ard wa Rabbul-‘arshil-karim.

Translation: There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth and Lord of the Noble Throne.

Meaning: This dua brings the heart back to the greatness of Allah. When anxiety makes everything feel heavy, remembering Allah’s sovereignty helps the believer regain a more balanced perspective.

You may also read our related article: Islamic invocations for stress and anxiety.

3. Dua to seek protection from fear

A believer may seek refuge in Allah from the harm of what He has created. This dua is short, simple and easy to repeat in moments of worry.

Arabic:

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

Transliteration: A‘udhu bi kalimatillahi at-tammati min sharri ma khalaq.

Translation: I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.

Meaning: This supplication reminds the believer that protection belongs to Allah alone. It may be recited when feeling afraid, when entering a place, before sleeping or as part of a routine of adhkar.

4. Dua against anxiety, sadness and worries

This supplication is especially known for seeking refuge in Allah from anxiety, sadness, weakness, laziness, fear, miserliness, heavy debts and being overcome by others.

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ

Transliteration: Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wa a‘udhu bika minal-‘ajzi wal-kasal, wa a‘udhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa a‘udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal.

Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sadness, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, and from the burden of debt and being overpowered by men.

Meaning: This dua is very comprehensive. It shows that Islam recognizes inner struggles, material pressure and social hardship. The believer asks Allah for help against what weighs heavily on them inwardly and outwardly.

When should you recite these duas against anxiety and fear?

These supplications may be recited when the heart feels worried, before sleeping, in the morning and evening, after prayer, or when a person is going through stress, uncertainty, sadness or fear.

What matters most is to recite them with sincerity, understanding and presence of heart. Consistency is often more beneficial than a long but occasional recitation.

A simple routine to calm the heart

To include these duas in daily life, it is useful to adopt a simple and realistic routine.

  • preserve the obligatory prayers;
  • recite the morning and evening adhkar;
  • read a few verses of the Quran every day;
  • repeat a short dua when anxiety rises;
  • breathe calmly and move away from what feeds fear;
  • seek help if anxiety becomes too heavy to carry.

The goal is not to do everything perfectly from the first day, but to return regularly to Allah, even with small sincere actions.

Mistakes to avoid when facing anxiety and fear

When someone is going through anxiety, certain mistakes can increase suffering or create unnecessary guilt.

  • thinking that anxiety always means weak faith;
  • making someone feel guilty for experiencing fear or distress;
  • neglecting lawful means such as rest, care or advice;
  • isolating the person instead of supporting them;
  • looking only for quick solutions without consistency;
  • neglecting prayer, adhkar and trust in Allah.

A believer may be tested with fear, sadness or worry while still having faith. What matters is to return to Allah and take useful means to feel better.

Related duas and Islamic reminders

You may also read these related articles about duas, hardship, healing and trust in Allah:

Learn to read duas and the Quran in Arabic

Reading duas in transliteration can help at the beginning, especially if you cannot yet read Arabic. But learning to read Arabic allows you to preserve pronunciation better, understand the meaning of supplications and recite the Quran with more concentration.

Duas against anxiety, fear and sadness are short but deep. Learning them gradually with a teacher can help you memorize them, understand them and include them in a regular spiritual routine.

FAQ about duas against anxiety and fear

What dua can I recite against anxiety in Islam?

You may recite: Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika mina al-hammi wal-hazan..., which means: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sadness.

What dua should I recite when I feel afraid?

You may recite: Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Huwa, ‘alayhi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabbul-‘arshil-‘azim, which means: Allah is sufficient for me; there is no deity except Him; I place my trust in Him.

Can I recite these duas in English?

Yes. You may ask Allah for calm, protection and relief in English or in your own language. Learning the duas in Arabic remains beneficial because it helps preserve their wording and pronunciation.

Are duas enough if anxiety is very strong?

Duas are important for a believer, but if anxiety becomes intense, persistent or disabling, one should also take lawful means, such as consulting a doctor or a qualified professional.

Does feeling anxiety mean weak faith?

No. Feeling anxiety or fear does not necessarily mean that faith is weak. A believer may go through emotional trials while still turning to Allah and seeking useful means to feel better.

Conclusion

Duas against anxiety and fear in Islam are a precious spiritual support for believers who are going through worry, sadness, distress or uncertainty. They remind the heart that Allah is near, that He hears every supplication and that trust in Him brings strength.

By reciting these duas, preserving prayer, reading the Quran and taking lawful means when needed, the believer seeks calm in a balanced way: with faith, sincerity and practical action.

The goal is not to deny emotional pain, but to face it while remaining connected to Allah, asking Him for relief, guidance and peace of heart.

No Comments

No comments yet.

Testimonials

Our students speak about us

Some testimonials from students who joined Al-Dirassa Institute and are happy to share their experience.

Laura Pociene
Online course
I want to say a big thanks to IMAN
Saida
Online course
Alhamdulillah I‘m very pleased with the arabic and Qur’an lessons I receive from teacher Umm Tasneem and I‘m also content with the al-dirassa administration team who were very quick in answering any questions I had. In a month I progressed a lot and I cannot wait to continue my studies with al-dirassa. May Allah reward everyone at al-dirassa.
Anonymous
Online course
Very good
Nabeela
Online course
My Qur’an teacher is fantastic, she teaches me in a loving and kind way where I look forward to the lessons and learn so much. My Arabic teacher is equally as nice and has a lot of patience with me, she has great expertise in the field and I’ve progressed really quickly with her. Thank you Al-dirassa!
Anonymous
Online course
Some of the teacher are very good
Anonymous
Online course
Very Good
Olumide Abdur Rahman
Online course
Definitely takes your arabic to the next level and Quran
William Jones
Online course
Good customer support. Great teachers
Hayet L.
Online course
Super prof, cela fait des années que mes enfants sont inscrits sur la plateforme et je suis satisfaite. Horaires à la carte, possibilité de reporter le cours en cas d'absence
Abdulqaadir
Online course
I have enjoyed the lessons from Al-dirassa and benefited tremendously thus far.