Life in this world has always been full of testing moments, especially when our affairs become difficult. The situation has worsened in modern life. Today, people often face difficulties even in routine life affairs, such as family conflicts, financial issues, illness, an uncertain future, academic pressure, and more. Sometimes, even routine matters can become extremely difficult to handle. But Islam teaches us to face any such difficulty with complete reliance and trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Islam urges Muslims to turn towards Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, while continuing to take practical steps to overcome the difficulty. The best way to turn towards Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is by making supplications. Like all other problems, the Quran and Sunnah also provide specific dua when things become difficult.
As for difficulties in life, the Quran tells us that Allahسُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ does not burden anyone beyond their capacity, as mentioned in the 286th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah.
Translation of the relevant part - Allah does not burden any human being with a responsibility heavier than he can bear…….
But at the same time, the Quran also urges Muslims to turn towards Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, to come out of the difficulties, as mentioned in the next part of the above-referred Quranic verse.
(O Believers, pray like this to Allah: "Our Lord, take us not to task if we forget and lapse into error inadvertently. Lord! lay not on us the kind of burdens that You had lain on the people before us. Lord, lay not on us the kind of burden that we have not the strength to bear. Be kind to us, forgive us and show mercy to us. You are our Protector: help us against the disbelievers."
So, making Dua for relief from hardship, and for overcoming difficulties, is also directly advised in the Quran. Similarly, the Quran also tells us that hardship is always followed by ease. This concept is mentioned in the 5th and 6th verses of Surah Al-Insharah.
Translation
5. Indeed, there is ease with hardship.
6. Most certainly, there is ease with hardship.
In the 26th verse of Surah Ta-Ha, the Quran again teaches us to make dua for relief from difficult affairs.
Translation - and ease my task for me.
This is the supplication of Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, which he made when he was commanded by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ to invite Pharaoh towards the Right Path. Therefore, Muslims can recite this dua when facing difficulties in life.
Likewise, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ also taught his companions to make dua for ease in difficult times. The Dua for difficult situations and hardships, and when affairs become difficult, is reported in Hisnul Muslim, which is considered one of the most powerful Duas for such situations. Another Dua for similar situations is reported in Hadith 5090 of Sunan Abi Dawood. This Dua is also reported in Hisnul Muslim. So, any of the Duas, as narrated in the Quran or Hadith, can be recited when affairs become difficult for a person.
Praising Allah Duas
Allaahumma laa sahla 'illaa maal ja'altahu sahlan wa 'Anta taj'alul-hazna 'ithaa shi'ta sahlan.
O Allah, there is no ease other than what You make easy. If You please You ease sorrow.
اللَّهُمَّ رَحْمَتَكَ أَرْجُو فَلاَ تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
This Dua is reported in Hadith 5090 of Sunan Abi Dawood, and also appears at serial 123 of Hisn al Muslim.
Allāhumma raḥmataka arjū falā takilnī ilā nafsī ṭarfata `ayn, wa aṣliḥ lī sha'nī kullah, lā ilāha illā ant.
O Allah! Thy mercy is what I hope for. Do not abandon me to myself for an instant, but put all my affairs in good order for me. There is no god but Thou.
When an individual faces difficulty in handling his affairs, he needs to turn towards Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ by way of making Dua to come out of difficult situations. Here, the believer seeks the Mercy of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, completely relying on Him, while also requesting Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ not to leave him alone even for an instant. After seeking Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Mercy, the reciter requests Him to help him in settling the difficulties being faced in handling the affairs.
Dua when affairs become difficult holds great significance in Islamic teachings, some of which are summarized here:
You can recite this Dua for relief from difficulties in many affairs. The list might be unending, but some of them are as follows:
The major importance of this Dua is that it strengthens our faith and complete reliance upon Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, which is known as “Tawakkul” in Islamic terminology. By reciting this Dua, we admit that success in any affairs is not possible without Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ help. Our job is to try our best and work hard to overcome difficulties, whereas success is largely dependent on Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ help. Reciting this Dua is a reminder to our heart that only Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ can turn difficulty into ease.
When problems come in life, most people tend to become dejected. Hearts feel hopelessness and despair, and problems apparently seem unsolvable. That's the time when Muslims turn towards Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, with sincere supplication. Reciting a Dua in these circumstances not only solves problems but also removes hopelessness and dejection, bringing calmness to the heart and mind.
When affairs become difficult, and a believer turns towards Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ with hope, it brings their heart closer to Him. It is human nature to forget Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ when everything is going well. Remembering Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and making a specific Dua during hardship brings us closer to Him, as we admit our weaknesses. Reciting Dua is a sort of reconnecting with Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
Reciting a Dua for ease in affairs brings patience and calmness in hearts and minds. Duas are accepted, but results might not come instantly. It may take time, or the result might not be exactly what we expected. Just have complete faith in Allah's سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Wisdom, be patient, and leave the outcome entirely to Him.
This dua is said to have all the benefits of the world and the hereafter enclosed within. As you recite this dua sitting between the two sujood, you ask Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى for His mercy. You continue to remind yourself with this dua that all ease and relief comes from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى only, and there is no other power that can bring good things to you.
As you recite this dua, you bow before Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and ask for His assistance in your affairs that have become too hard to handle, and you acknowledge your trust in His and only His ability to ease your affairs. A continuous reminder like this in life would help individuals rely only on Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى no matter the situation.
No fixed number of repetitions of this Dua is mentioned in any Hadith. Similarly, scholars have also not recommended any fixed number of its repetitions. So, you can recite it as many times as you may like. You can recite it repeatedly until the matter is settled.
Yes, you can recite this Dua when preparing for a job interview. You can even recite it before your academic examinations. However, you must also prepare before sitting for examinations or a job interview. This is a Dua seeking Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ help for success.
Although these Duas are not mentioned in the Quran in the same wording, the Quran urges Muslims to turn to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ when facing hardship or difficulty. However, these Duas are available in authentic Hadith collections.
Yes, you can make any Dua, including Dua when affairs become difficult, in your own language. But the best practice, and highly recommended, is to first recite it exactly, in the same words, in Arabic, then make Dua in your own language, if you would like to. But maintain humility and sincerity, with complete reliance on Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
Never expect immediate results of your supplications. Make Dua with sincerity and complete reliance on Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, with patience; results will come when best suited to your situation because He knows better when, what, and how to bless you. Keep firm faith in Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Wisdom.
Continue making dua and do not lose hope. Combine supplication with patience, tawakkul, repentance, good deeds, and practical effort. Remember that Allah may answer in a way or at a time that is different from what we expect. The believer should trust Allah's wisdom and mercy.