No human is immune to fear. Fear is a natural and inevitable emotion that all humans experience. Everyone is afraid of something or the other. For some, the fear is a momentary emotion, while others are paralyzed by fear of a certain thing. These intense fears are called phobias, and some people have an intense fear of being in a group of people or speaking in front of a group of people. Since Islam is a complete deen, it has a dua for this occasion, too. Reciting the dua when one is afraid of a group of people brings solace, gives courage, and makes the task easier.
People who suffer from severe social anxiety can be scared by unfamiliar circumstances and unfamiliar people. When being afraid of a group of people, they may also withdraw from their surroundings and isolate themselves. Narrated by Abu Musa Al’Ashari and reported in Sunan Abi Dawud, 1537, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to recite the dua given below when he feared a group of people.
The first and foremost manner of making dua when afraid of a group of people or any other dua is to make it with the conviction that it will be heard and that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is ever-present Who is looking out for you at all times. There is no set number or rule for making this dua, and one can recite it whenever in such an instance where they feel that their fear is taking over them or even when they have to meet certain people that they may be afraid of.
Reciting dua when you are afraid of a group of people can help you feel calm and grounded. It allows you to navigate your way through such interactions and also helps you make decisions with clarity in the situation. While you connect with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in such circumstances and pray for wisdom, making dua allows you to head in a direction where you know that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) will protect you from any harm that you fear. These emotions can take a great toll on an individual’s well-being, and to help overcome these emotions, one should seek help and make dua from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). They should take this time as an opportunity to rely on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and seek comfort in Him.