Feeling worried, emotionally exhausted, restless, or low can make ordinary days feel surprisingly difficult. Sometimes the mind keeps thinking about the same problem again and again, while at other times a person may feel sad without even knowing exactly why.
For Muslims, turning to Allah through dua for anxiety and depression can be a source of comfort and hope. Islam gives us several beautiful supplications for worry, grief, hardship and distress. One of the best-known is a dua that the Prophet ﷺ used to seek Allah’s protection from ham and hazan, commonly translated as worry and grief.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Roman English:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-‘ajzi wal-kasal, wal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa dala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal.
The meaning is:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from the burden of debt and from being overpowered by people.”
This supplication is reported from Anas ibn Malik and is recorded in hadith collections including Sahih al-Bukhari and Sunan an-Nasa’i.
This article explains the Prophet ﷺ dua for anxiety and depression, the dua for anxiety and depression in Arabic, its meaning, other Islamic duas for distress, and how to approach emotional struggles in a balanced way.
What Is the Best Dua for Anxiety and Depression?
There isn’t one single phrase that should be described as a guaranteed “cure” for depression. However, there are authentic prophetic supplications for worry, grief and distress that a Muslim can regularly make.
One of the most relevant is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
Meaning:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief.”
The complete supplication goes on to ask Allah for protection from helplessness, laziness, cowardice, miserliness, overwhelming debt and being overpowered by others.
The words ham and hazan are particularly relevant when talking about emotional distress. The dua acknowledges that worry and grief are real difficulties and teaches a believer to turn to Allah for help rather than pretending that everything is always easy.
Prophet ﷺ Dua for Anxiety and Depression
The Prophet ﷺ dua for anxiety and depression commonly referred to in this context is the supplication beginning:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan…
Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used this supplication. It asks Allah for protection from worry and grief, as well as several other difficulties that can weigh heavily on a person’s life.
The complete dua is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Roman English:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-‘ajzi wal-kasal, wal-bukhli wal-jubn, wa dala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal.
The exact wording appears with small variations across narrations, but the central meaning remains the same: seeking Allah’s protection from worry, grief, weakness and other forms of difficulty.
Dua for Anxiety and Depression in Arabic
If you specifically searched for dua for anxiety and depression in Arabic, here is the commonly cited prophetic supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
A shorter version that is easier to memorize is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
Meaning:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief.”
The longer version is preferable when you are able to learn it, because it preserves the fuller prophetic supplication.
Dua for Anxiety and Depression in Roman English
For someone who cannot yet read Arabic comfortably, Roman English can make memorization easier.
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-‘ajzi wal-kasal, wal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa dala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal.
You can break it into smaller parts rather than trying to memorize the entire dua at once.
Start with:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
Then learn:
Wal-‘ajzi wal-kasal.
Then:
Wal-jubni wal-bukhl.
Finally:
Wa dala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal.
Learning a dua slowly is completely fine. There is no prize for memorizing it in one sitting.
What Does This Dua Mean?
The first part asks Allah for protection from ham and hazan.
These words are often translated as worry and grief.
The dua then mentions ‘ajz, meaning incapacity or inability, and kasal, meaning laziness.
It also asks for protection from cowardice and miserliness, followed by protection from the burden of debt and being overpowered by others.
The interesting thing about this dua is that it does not pretend that emotional difficulty exists separately from the rest of life.
Financial pressure can create worry. Feeling helpless can make a person emotionally exhausted. Social problems can increase stress. Family difficulties can affect sleep and concentration.
The prophetic dua recognizes several forms of difficulty and teaches the believer to ask Allah for help with all of them.
Islamic Dua for Anxiety and Depression
The Islamic dua for anxiety and depression is not meant to suggest that a person should simply ignore their feelings.
Rather, dua gives a Muslim a way to turn toward Allah while going through difficulty.
Another well-known supplication is:
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin.
Meaning:
“There is no deity except You; glory be to You. Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers.”
This is the dua of Prophet Yunus عليه السلام mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al-Anbiya 21:87.
It is a beautiful supplication for moments when someone feels trapped, overwhelmed or in need of Allah’s help.
Dua for Anxiety and Depression From the Quran
The Quran contains several prayers that can provide spiritual comfort during difficult periods.
One particularly relevant verse is:
رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
Rabbi inni lima anzalta ilayya min khairin faqir.
Meaning:
“My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need.”
This is from Surah Al-Qasas 28:24.
It expresses complete dependence on Allah.
Another well-known Quranic prayer is:
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal-wakil.
Meaning:
“Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.”
This can remind a person that they do not have to carry every worry as though everything depends entirely on them.
Dua for Anxiety and Depression IslamQA
People often search for “dua for anxiety and depression IslamQA” because they want to know which supplications have reliable Islamic evidence rather than simply copying a dua from social media.
Islam Question & Answer discusses several supplications for worry, stress and distress, including the prophetic dua:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan…
It also discusses the longer supplication beginning “Allahumma inni ‘abduka…”, which asks Allah to make the Quran the spring of the heart, the light of the chest, and a means of removing sorrow and anxiety.
When searching for Islamic duas online, checking whether a supplication has a reliable source is a useful habit. Not every attractive Arabic paragraph circulating on social media is necessarily a prophetic dua.
Dua Beginning “Allahumma Inni ‘Abduka”
Another well-known supplication for distress begins:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ، وَابْنُ عَبْدِكَ، وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ…
Allahumma inni ‘abduka, wabnu ‘abdika, wabnu amatika, nasiyati biyadika…
A section of this longer dua asks:
أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي، وَجِلَاءَ حُزْنِي، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي
An taj’alal-Qur’ana rabee’a qalbi, wa noora sadri, wa jalaa’a huzni, wa dhahaba hammi.
Meaning:
“Make the Quran the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the removal of my sorrow and the departure of my anxiety.”
Islam Question & Answer cites this supplication in its discussion of authentic duas for distress.
It is a particularly beautiful dua because it doesn’t only ask for the removal of a problem. It asks Allah to bring the Quran into the heart as a source of light and comfort.
How to Read Dua for Anxiety and Depression
There is no need to create an elaborate routine around these duas.
You can make dua after salah, during quiet moments, before sleeping, when you wake up, or whenever you feel overwhelmed.
Start with the prophetic dua:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
Then continue with the longer version if you know it.
After that, you can make a personal dua.
For example:
“Ya Allah, You know what I am feeling even when I cannot explain it. Please make things easier for me, give me peace, strengthen my heart and guide me toward what is good for me.”
Personal dua can be simple. You don’t need poetic language.
Can Dua Remove Anxiety?
Dua can be a source of comfort, worship and reliance upon Allah, but it would be misleading to promise that saying a particular dua will instantly remove anxiety or depression.
Emotional difficulties can have many causes.
Sometimes a person is dealing with school or family pressure. Sometimes there is grief. Sometimes stress builds up over a long period. Sometimes a person may be experiencing a mental-health condition that needs professional support.
Making dua is compatible with getting help.
A Muslim does not have to choose between turning to Allah and speaking to someone who can help.
Dua and Seeking Help
One important part of dealing with emotional struggles is recognizing when you need support.
If anxiety or low mood continues for a long time, affects sleep or school, makes everyday activities difficult, or feels increasingly overwhelming, talking to a trusted adult, school counselor, doctor or qualified mental-health professional can be a good step.
For a young person, this can mean telling a parent, guardian, teacher, school counselor or another trusted adult:
“I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately and I think I need some help.”
That is not weakness.
Dua can be part of your support system, while trusted people and professional care can provide practical help.
Can Muslims Take Treatment for Depression?
Yes. Seeking appropriate treatment does not mean a person lacks faith.
A person can make dua, pray, read Quran, maintain supportive relationships and seek professional care at the same time.
It is important not to tell someone with serious symptoms that they only need to “pray harder.” That can make an already difficult situation feel even more lonely.
Islam encourages believers to seek beneficial means while relying upon Allah.
So a balanced approach might look like this:
Make dua.
Maintain salah as much as you reasonably can.
Talk to someone trustworthy.
Take care of sleep, food and daily routines.
Seek professional help when needed.
Keep asking Allah for ease and guidance.
These things can exist together.
Dua for Stress and Overthinking
For everyday stress and overthinking, the prophetic dua for worry and grief can be especially meaningful:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
You can also say:
Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal-wakil.
“Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.”
When your mind is repeatedly going over the same situation, slowing down and turning your attention toward Allah can create a small pause.
Sometimes that pause is valuable in itself.
It gives you a moment to breathe, pray and remember that the problem you are facing is not the entirety of your life.
Dua for Sadness and Grief
The prophetic dua specifically mentions hazan, commonly translated as grief or sadness.
This matters because Islam does not teach that believers must never feel sad.
Prophets experienced grief. People experienced loss. Difficult emotions are part of human life.
The dua teaches us what to do with those feelings: take them to Allah.
You can say:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
Then ask Allah:
“Ya Allah, make my sadness easier, give me patience and guide me toward what is best.”
There is no shame in admitting to Allah that you are struggling.
Dua for a Heavy Heart
When someone says, “My heart feels heavy,” they may simply be describing emotional stress, sadness or worry.
A beautiful dua for this situation is:
Allahumma inni ‘abduka… an taj’alal-Qur’ana rabee’a qalbi, wa noora sadri, wa jalaa’a huzni, wa dhahaba hammi.
The meaning asks Allah to make the Quran the spring of the heart, the light of the chest, the removal of sorrow and the departure of anxiety.
Even if you don’t memorize the entire supplication, you can learn it gradually.
Dua for Peace of Mind
There is no single authentic formula that should be marketed as a guaranteed “peace of mind dua.”
But there are many Quranic and prophetic supplications that help a believer turn toward Allah during difficult moments.
One simple phrase is:
Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal-wakil.
Another is:
La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin.
And the prophetic anxiety dua remains one of the clearest choices:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
The aim isn’t to repeat words mechanically while expecting an instant result. The aim is to worship Allah, ask for help and remind yourself that you are not alone in your struggle.
Dua for Anxiety at Night
Nighttime can sometimes make worries feel louder.
When everything becomes quiet, the mind may start replaying conversations, future worries, school problems or family concerns.
If that happens, you can make the prophetic dua:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan…
You can then make a simple personal prayer.
Try not to turn bedtime into a long test of whether your thoughts have disappeared. If you’re still worried after making dua, that doesn’t mean your dua has failed.
You can make the dua, take some calming breaths, and allow yourself to rest.
If anxiety regularly prevents you from sleeping, tell a trusted adult or healthcare professional.
Dua for Anxiety Before an Important Event
Before an exam, presentation, difficult conversation or another stressful situation, you can ask Allah for ease.
A Quranic dua associated with Prophet Musa عليه السلام is:
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي
Rabbi ishrah li sadri, wa yassir li amri.
Meaning:
“My Lord, expand my chest for me and make my task easy for me.”
This comes from Surah Ta-Ha 20:25–26.
It is a natural dua to remember when you feel nervous about something important.
Dua for Anxiety Before an Exam
If exams make you anxious, you can say:
Rabbi ishrah li sadri, wa yassir li amri.
Then ask Allah to help you remember what you studied and to give you calmness.
But dua should work alongside preparation.
Study what you can.
Take breaks.
Sleep properly.
Ask your teacher for clarification when you don’t understand something.
And then leave the outcome to Allah.
Islamic reliance on Allah doesn’t mean abandoning effort.
What Does Islam Say About Anxiety?
Islam recognizes that human beings experience worry, fear and grief.
The existence of a dua specifically seeking refuge from ham and hazan is itself a reminder that these emotional experiences are not foreign to human life.
At the same time, anxiety as a modern mental-health term can refer to a wide range of experiences, from ordinary nervousness to conditions that significantly affect daily life.
So it is useful to distinguish between occasional worry and persistent mental-health symptoms.
If someone has severe or ongoing symptoms, they deserve proper support rather than being told that their faith is the problem.
What Does Islam Say About Depression?
The word “depression” today can describe a clinical mental-health condition, while sadness and grief are normal human emotions.
Islam does not require a person to pretend that they are happy when they are struggling.
A person can be a believer and still experience serious emotional difficulties.
Dua, Quran and salah can provide spiritual support, but they should not be presented as substitutes for professional mental-health care when someone needs it.
A compassionate Islamic approach should encourage both spiritual connection and appropriate help.
Does Feeling Anxious Mean My Faith Is Weak?
Not necessarily.
Feeling anxious does not automatically mean that someone has weak iman.
People can experience difficult emotions for many reasons.
What matters is how we respond and what support we seek.
If you are struggling, you can turn to Allah while also telling someone you trust.
There is no contradiction in saying:
“Allah, please help me,”
and also:
“I need help from someone who understands what I’m going through.”
Both can be part of taking care of yourself.
How Often Should I Read the Anxiety Dua?
The prophetic dua can be made regularly, but you should be careful about claiming that a specific number of repetitions is required unless there is reliable evidence for that number.
The important thing is sincere dua rather than obsessing over a particular count.
You can learn the supplication and make it part of your regular adhkar.
If you are making dua because you are currently worried or distressed, you can also ask Allah for help whenever you need it.
Short Dua for Anxiety and Depression
If you need the shortest version to memorize first:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
Meaning:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief.”
It is short enough to memorize quickly and comes from the longer prophetic supplication.
Long Dua for Anxiety and Depression
The complete prophetic supplication is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-‘ajzi wal-kasal, wal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa dala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal.
Meaning:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from the burden of debt and from being overpowered by people.”
This is reported in the Sunnah as a supplication of the Prophet ﷺ.
A Simple Daily Routine
You don’t need a complicated schedule.
In the morning, make your normal adhkar and include the anxiety dua.
During the day, if you notice yourself becoming overwhelmed, pause and say:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
Before sleeping, make your personal dua and ask Allah to give you peace and make tomorrow easier.
If you’re dealing with ongoing anxiety or low mood, also speak to someone trustworthy rather than keeping everything inside.
A spiritual routine is more helpful when it becomes a source of connection rather than another thing you feel pressured to perform perfectly.
What If the Dua Doesn’t Make Me Feel Better Immediately?
This is an important question.
Sometimes people make dua and expect the difficult feeling to disappear immediately. When it doesn’t, they may wonder whether Allah heard them.
Don’t make that conclusion.
A dua is not a magic formula with a guaranteed emotional result within a certain number of minutes.
You can make dua while still feeling worried.
You can pray while still feeling sad.
You can ask Allah for help and still need counseling or medical care.
None of those things automatically mean that your faith has failed.
Keep turning toward Allah and keep seeking appropriate support.
When Should You Talk to Someone?
If anxiety or sadness is persistent, intense or interfering with your everyday life, tell a trusted adult.
Since young people often depend on parents or guardians for healthcare, this could be a parent, guardian, teacher, school counselor or another adult you trust.
You don’t have to explain everything perfectly.
You can simply say:
“I’ve been feeling really anxious or low lately, and I think I need some support.”
If you ever feel that you might hurt yourself or that you cannot stay safe, tell a trusted adult immediately and seek urgent local help. You do not need to handle that kind of situation by yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Prophet ﷺ dua for anxiety and depression?
A well-known prophetic dua is:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan…
It asks Allah for protection from worry, grief, incapacity and other difficulties.
What is the dua for anxiety and depression in Arabic?
The opening is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
What does the dua mean?
It means:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief.”
The complete dua asks for protection from several other difficulties as well.
Is there a Quranic dua for anxiety?
There are several Quranic supplications that people can make during difficulty. One well-known example is the dua of Prophet Yunus عليه السلام:
La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin.
Another is:
Rabbi ishrah li sadri, wa yassir li amri.
Can I make dua for depression?
Yes. You can ask Allah for ease, healing, strength, guidance and peace. You can use authentic prophetic duas and also make personal dua in words you understand.
Is dua enough to treat clinical depression?
Dua can provide spiritual support, but it should not be presented as a replacement for professional mental-health care. If symptoms persist or seriously affect daily life, seek help from a qualified professional and tell a trusted adult.
Can I read the dua in Roman English?
Roman English can help with pronunciation while learning. However, learning the Arabic wording and pronunciation is preferable when possible.
How many times should I read the dua?
There is no need to invent a special number and call it Sunnah. You can make the dua regularly and whenever you feel the need to ask Allah for help.
What is a short dua for worry?
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
It means:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief.”
Can I make dua in Hindi or English?
Yes, you can make personal dua in the language you understand. You can also learn established Arabic supplications and understand their meanings.
Final Thoughts
The dua for anxiety and depression is not just a collection of Arabic words. The prophetic supplication teaches a beautiful attitude toward difficult emotions: acknowledge the worry, recognize your dependence on Allah and ask Him for protection and help.
The most relevant prophetic dua begins:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief.”
You can learn the longer version gradually, read Quranic duas, maintain your prayers and speak to Allah honestly about what you’re experiencing.
But remember something equally important: needing human help does not mean you have failed spiritually. If anxiety or depression is persistent or interfering with everyday life, talk to a trusted adult and seek appropriate professional support.
Dua and support can go together.
Sometimes the first step toward feeling better is simply saying, “Ya Allah, help me,” and then taking the next safe step available to you.