By Disclaimer: This article is in no way meant to substitute for medical or mental health advice from a trained and educated mental health professional. Muslim Girl encourages those who need help to seek it, and encourages the use of resources such as therapists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and trained mental health professionals. You should never try to manage your mental health alone. You are not alone, and there is no shame in seeking professional help. Muslim Girl also does not recommend self-diagnosis; again, please seek the help of a professional. If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center, text MHA to 741741, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Mental health issues can happen to anyone and is an important issue to be addressed. Struggling with mental health does not make you a bad Muslim, and seeking out care and support is an important part of our ikhtiyar (choice) in taking care of ourselves, both physically and mentally.
Why We Should Make Duas
Allah reminds us that even when we feel the most alone, He is with us and that we should be patient and have no doubt in Allah’s mercy.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
The Quran (2:153)
Meaning: “O’ you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”
Use these duas and remembrance of Allah to help you along your journey, and be open to accepting help from outside as well. May Allah grant you all ease.
1. Seeking Refuge From Grief & Sadness
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Sahih al-Bukhari 6369
Meaning: “O Allah, I seek refuge in you from grief and sadness, from weakness and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, from being overcome by debt and overpowered by others.”
Transliteration: “Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-hammi walhazani, wal’ajzi walkasali, walbukhli waljubni, wa dhala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijaal.”
This dua is from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and it’s said when you’re seeking Allah’s guidance away from negative emotions.
2. Asking For Ease
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
The Quran (20:25-28)
Meaning: “Lord, lift up my heart and ease my task for me. Remove the impediment from my tongue so that they may understand my speech.”
Transliteration: “Rabbi-shrah li sodri, wa yassir li amri, wahlul uqdatan min lisani yafqohu qawli.“
This ayah asks for ease and comfort from Allah in both worldly and religious affairs.
| More duas you shouldn’t miss • 4 Powerful Duas for Grief (Read full article) • Here Are 5 Prophetic Duas to Help Eliminate Stress (Read full article) • 21 Beautiful Duas From the Quran (Read full article) |
3. Asking For Mercy
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ، وأَصْلِحْ لي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ وَلَا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ
Al-Hakim 1/545
Meaning: “I seek aid through Your Mercy; correct for me all my matters and do not entrust me to my own self even for the blink of an eye.”
Transliteration: “Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyoom birahmatika astagheeth, ass-lih Lee Shahaani kullaahu, wa laa Takillni ila nafsee Tarfataa Ayyin.”
This ayah asks Allah to remove the trials and tribulations one may be going through and invokes Allah’s mercy.
What are the duas you say when you’re anxious? DM us at @muslimgirl on Twitter and Instagram and share with us!
If you’re interested in counseling with a Muslim therapist, check out Therapy for Muslims, the Muslim Association for Psychological Services, and the Institute for Muslim Mental Health. Everyone needs some help sometimes. There’s no shame in seeking out assistance from experts if you need some help.