Fears might be of several types: fear of enemies, fear of diseases, fear of deceitfulness of others, fear of oppressive rulers, fear of hostile people, and so on. It is an inbuilt part of human nature that often serves as a warning signal against possible threats or risks, enabling people to adopt preventive measures. Fear is a strong emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm, whether real or imagined. In any case, fear triggers a natural human instinct that prepares humans physically and mentally to fight potential danger. Sometimes, fear might be just a result of a psychological disorder, which a human may experience after some traumatic event.
As is often said, Islam is a complete code of life, which provides solutions to all possible problems a Muslim might experience at any stage of his life. In one way or another, a solution to every issue can be found within the Quran and Hadith, although sometimes it may not be immediately apparent in the contents of a Quranic verse or Hadith narration. But ultimately, we can find a workable solution right there in the Quran and Sunnah. In this context, making Dua (Supplication) serves as a basic source of strength and courage for Muslims to face a difficult situation. Dua can solve even the most difficult problems of a Muslim's life. Fear of people, or in other words, being afraid of one or more people, is something that often shakes one's confidence, posing a real threat that may even challenge one's survival. Islam, through the Quran and Hadith, teaches us different specific Duas for safety from people.
The guiding principle to face any difficulty in life, including the fear of people, is provided in the 175th verse of Surah Al-e-Imran, as follows:
Translation - It was Satan who suggested to you the fear of his allies. Do not fear them; fear Me, if you truly believe.
The 61st and 62nd verses of Surah Ash-Shu'ara further explain the basic principle of Allah's سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ protection against the fear of people, narrating the story of the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, when he encountered the Pharaoh's people.
Translation
61. And when the groups came face to face, the companions of Moses cried out: "We are overtaken!"
62. Moses said: "Certainly not. My Lord is with me; He will direct me."
So, Islam teaches us to keep unwavering trust and faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and face the opponents with courage. And this courage, both moral and spiritual, comes through making specific Dua for Allah's سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ protection from people. Many Duas for safety when threatened are available in the Quran and Sunnah, which Muslims are urged to recite during such threatening situations.
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 Hadith 3005 of Sahih Muslim, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to recite the dua given below when he feared a group of people.
One of the most common and popular Duas when scared of people is found in the 173rd verse of Surah Al-e-Imran.
Translation - When people said to them: 'Behold, a host has gathered around you, and you should fear them', it only increased their faith, and they answered: 'Allah is Sufficient for us; and what an excellent Guardian He is!'
Hadith 4563 of Sahih Al-Bukhari also narrates the same Dua for protection against people, as the “Supplication of the Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ“, which he recited at the time when he was thrown into a ditch of fire by Nimrud. Another Dua, which can be recited when feeling threatened by people, is mentioned in Hadith 6369 of Sahih Al-Bukhari. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ recited this Dua when hypocrites informed him that a huge army was gathering against him, and that he should fear them.
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.
Some of the etiquettes of reciting Dua when afraid of people are summarized here:
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ، وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
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.
The most powerful and highly recommended Dua when you are afraid of someone is "Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal-wakeel”. It is the Dua that the Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ recited when he was thrown into a fire pit. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ also recited it when a huge army was gathering against him.
Yes, you can make any recommended Dua, as mentioned above, if someone is harming you. But before making such a Dua, ensure that you do not involve yourself in any sort of injustice against the one whom you think is harming you.
The Dua mentioned in Hadith 6369 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-ajzi wal-kasal, wal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa-dhall ad-din, wa ghalabatir-rijal," was taught by the Prophet for those who are overpowered by other people.
You can recite “Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal-wakeel" when you are afraid of an enemy. It is the most powerful Dua, also known as the “Supplication of Ibrahim”. The same Dua was also recited by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ when he was informed of a huge army gathering against him.
The spirit of Islam is to remember Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, then make Dua for protection against fear of people, followed by taking practical steps to get out of such circumstances that make you afraid of people. Merely making Dua is not a good practice; it must be combined with practical measures.