إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ (Translation: We are from Allah and unto Him we return.) is a dua recited by Muslims when they are afflicted by calamity. In Islam, a calamity, which is termed (Musibah) in Arabic, is defined as any misfortune, suffering, or trouble that befalls a person. While it is commonly recited when one hears of the death of another Muslim, this short dua can be recited upon hearing or suffering any type of misfortune. Musibah, like all other things, is a part of Allah's divine plan (Qadar) and are used for various reasons within the religion. Making supplication in times of calamity holds great spiritual relevance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) wants us to turn to him.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah and reported in Sahih al-Bukhari 7405, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says, 'I am just as My slave thinks I am, and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I, too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.'
This hadith speaks volumes that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) wants us to turn towards Him whenever we experience a calamity or any other emotion that may be difficult to deal with. It is through dua and prayer that we find solace from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in times of hardship.
Joy & Distress Duas
'Innaa lillaahi wa 'innaa 'ilayhi raaji'oon, Allaahumma'-jurni fee museebatee wa 'akhliflee khayran minhaa.
We are from Allah and unto Him we return. O Allah take me out of my plight and bring to me after it something better.
Trials and tribulations are a natural part of life; everyone experiences their share of good and bad times. Those facing hardships often find themselves hopeless and weak, which is when there is a need to make abundant dua. The dua for one afflicted by a calamity is a beautiful way to ease their hardship. Prayers are the only thing that can change the course of destiny, and Allah Azzawajal creates ease when His servants make sincere dua.
Making dua for one afflicted by a calamity is an acknowledgment that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is there to look out for us and that we have to put all our faith in Him. When one makes dua with this acknowledgement and belief, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) fulfils such a supplication. Be humble and pray with conviction that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the turner of the hearts and the one who manages all the affairs. In a calamity, keeping calm can be challenging, but pray to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) with the conviction that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) will make things happen in the best way.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn." These trials remind the believers of their reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), promoting patience (sabr), thankfulness, and repentance.
Making dua for one afflicted by a calamity can help strengthen the heart and the faith. Making dua helps one find emotional comfort when there is a calamity. Dua also helps people develop resilience and solve their problems rather than sit in helplessness. The Qur'an states, "Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself" (Surah An-Nisa, 4:79). Hence, enduring challenges with patience and faith is a way to earn Allah's gratification and greater spiritual rank.
One of the most recited du'a in times of calamity and suffering is Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un, meaning "Indeed, to Allah, we belong and to Him, we shall return." The statement tells Muslims to stay patient and rely on Allah's will. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un text in Arabic is written as ( إِنَّا لِلَّـهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون) and it is a verse from Quran. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un urdu meaning is (بے شک ہم اللہ کے ہیں اور ہمیں اسی کی طرف لوٹ کر جانا ہے). It indicates the faith that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) owns all that lives and all that exists and the belief that all creatures will eventually return to Him. This is a phrase that one utters when hearing news of death but is also employed in reaction to any kind of adversity as an indication of acceptance of the will of Allah ( سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and reliance on Allah's wisdom.
The Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un message is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, and it appears in the Qur'an.
It is found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:156), where Allah illustrates the reaction of righteous believers when they are confronted with hardships and calamities: "Who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we will return.” This verse is part of a more extensive section (2:155-2:157) about the trials believers might experience, which include fear, hunger, and loss. The next verse (2:157) provides reassurance, which reads: “Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are rightly guided.”
"Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un" reminds us of the short worldly life and the ultimate return to our Creator. They promote endurance in adversity, affirming that all things fall within Allah's wisdom and will. Through recitation of these verses, believers are comforted and empowered, realizing that their sufferings are part of a higher plan and that determination will yield heavenly rewards.
Though often read upon hearing the news of someone's death, the application of this phrase covers a range of circumstances of loss or distress:
The most common situation in which Innaa lillaahi wa 'innaa 'ilayhi raaji'oon is recited is when a Muslim receives news of the death of a person. It is an acceptance that death comes as part of Allah's will, and we all belong to Him in the end. It is a comforting reminder that the deceased has returned to his Creator.
As instructed by Allah in the Quran, we should say Innaa lillaahi wa 'innaa 'ilayhi raaji'oon when faced with a calamity, loss, trial, difficulty, or challenge, whether financial, physical, or emotional. By saying the words of this dua, we are once again affirming our faith in Allah's wisdom and accepting His will, realizing that all, including our test, is a part of His divine plan and that we should keep trust in His plan, strive to find a solution according to Quran and sunnah and be patient.
Whether they are natural disasters, accidents, or some other calamity, saying "Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un" helps us feel the pain of those impacted and realize that it is all in Allah's control, whether good or bad.
Innaa lillaahi wa 'innaa 'ilayhi raaji'oon provides relief at times of personal failures, such as losing one's job or facing disappointment. It refers the heart back to Allah ( سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and seeks comfort in His wisdom, believing that something better will follow.
During hard times, repeatedly reciting "Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un" and the longer dua instructed by the Prophet (ﷺ) is a powerful method of maintaining the connection to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). These wonderful supplications remind us that regardless of what troubles we might encounter, we are from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and He alone can substitute our suffering with something better.
Patience (Sabr) in trials is not only a great virtue — it is the way to get a boundless reward from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Every adversity borne patiently is rewarded with forgiveness, spiritual development, and blessings. Let us inculcate the practice of reciting these duas every time we experience hardships, hoping that Allah's plan is full of mercy and wisdom.
The Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un full dua is: "اللهم أجرني في مصيبتي وأخلف لي خيرا منها" which means, "O Allah, reward me in my calamity and replace it with something better."
You can get Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un text to copy and paste easily from the Muslim and Quran website and app. Click the copy button below the dua to copy the arabic text with English transliteration and translation. You can easily share the dua on social media after copying it.
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un Allahumma Ajirni Fi Musibati means asking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for the reward and a better replacement during hardship.
You should recite the Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un full dua whenever you face a loss, hardship, or any calamity to seek Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) help.