Every human being will inevitably experience their lowest point. A tightness in the chest, a clouded mind, or a series of problems often make us feel alone. In Islam, this condition is called Karb (severe hardship) or Gham (deep sorrow).
When logic is no longer able to find a solution, the only way is to knock on the door of heaven. The Prophet Muhammad SAW never allowed his ummah to face problems empty-handed. He left behind a powerful spiritual weapon in the form of special prayers to ease a heavy heart.
This article summarizes a complete guide to prayers for removing sadness and life’s difficulties, directly sourced from the book Al-Adhkar by Imam An-Nawawi (Chapter Du’a al-Karb, pages 121-122). Let’s learn them one by one so that the heart returns to peace.
Why is Prayer the First Solution When Anxious?
Before seeking technical solutions, the Prophet Muhammad taught us to resolve our inner state first. When a great calamity befell him (hazabahu amr), he did not panic, but immediately remembered Allah.
Psychologically and spiritually, reciting a prayer for peace of heart is not merely a ritual. It is a way for us to “take a break” and surrender the heavy burdens that we cannot bear alone to the All-Powerful Being.
Here is a classification of answered prayers (mustajab) that you can practice according to the conditions you are facing.
1. The Prayer of Tawhid: Glorifying Allah to Belittle the Burden
In a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim (No. 344), Ibn Abbas narrated that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) experienced great hardship, he did not ask, “O Allah, solve my problem,” but he praised the greatness of Allah.
Why is this effective? When our tongues praise Allah the Most Great (Al-Azhim) and the Most Forbearing (Al-Halim), our subconscious will realize that our problems are very small in His presence.
Prayer Wording:
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ الْعَظِيْمُ الْحَلِيْمُ, لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيْمُ, لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَرَبُّ اْلأَرْضِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيْمِ
Laa ilaaha illallaahul ‘azhiimul haliim, laa ilaaha illallaahu rabbul ‘arshil ‘azhiim, laa ilaaha illallaahu rabbus samaawaati wa rabbul ardhi rabbul ‘arshil kariim.
Meaning: “There is no god but Allah, the Most Great and Most Kind. There is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. There is no god but Allah, the Lord, Creator of the heavens and the earth, and the Lord of the Glorious Throne.”
2. Istighatsah: A Prayer of Total Surrender
If you feel tired of struggling alone, this prayer is the answer. In the narrations of At-Tirmidhi (No. 345 & 346), when problems became more complicated, the Prophet SAW would raise his head to the sky and earnestly mention the name of Allah, the Ever-Living (Al-Hayyu) and the Self-Sufficient (Al-Qayyum).
There are two variations of the prayer that can be recited:
A. Prayer Seeking Help with Grace
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْثُ
Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyum, bi rahmatika astaghiits.
Meaning: “O Living One, O Self-Sufficient One, by Your mercy I seek help.”
Read a detailed explanation about the secrets of this name of Allah in the article: The Virtues and Benefits of Remembering Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum.
B. Prayer for Total Reliance (Narrated by Abu Bakrah)
This prayer (No. 349) is very beautiful because it contains the acknowledgement that we are incapable of managing ourselves even for a moment.
اللَّهُمَّ رَحْمَتَكَ أَرْجُو فَلاَ تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ, وَأَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ, لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
Allaahumma rahmataka arjuu falaa takilnii ilaa nafsii tharfata ‘ain, wa ashlih lii sya’nii kullah, laa ilaaha illaa ant.
Meaning: “O Allah, only Your mercy do I hope for, so do not abandon me to myself even for a blink of an eye, and set right all of my affairs. There is no god but You.”
This hadith narrated by Abu Bakrah has a very profound meaning of Tawhid (monotheism) about the danger of ‘Ujub’ (self-admiration). Why did the Prophet forbid us from relying on ourselves even for a moment? See the detailed explanation in the special article: A Thorough Analysis of the Prayer ‘Rahmataka Arju’ and Its Meaning.
3. The Prayer of Prophet Jonah: The Key to Getting Out of a Dead End
This is the ultimate supplication. Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqash narrated (No. 352) that no Muslim ever supplicated with these words for any matter, but Allah would grant it.
This prayer was recited by Prophet Jonah (peace be upon him) when trapped in three darknesses: the darkness of the fish’s belly, the darkness of the ocean, and the darkness of the night. If your life feels hopeless with no way out, increase in reciting this.
Prayer Wording:
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Laa ilaaha illaa anta subhaanaka innii kuntu minazh zhaalimiin.
Meaning: “There is no god but You. Exalted are You, indeed I am among the wrongdoers.”
The secret of this prayer: Combining Tawhid (Oneness of God), Tasbih (glorification of Allah), and Istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Allah quickly helped Prophet Yunus not because he protested, but because he confessed his mistake.
This prayer is highly recommended for those who feel trapped in a problem with no way out. However, there is a secret of profound interpretation as to why this prayer is so effective. To understand the meaning of each word and its complete story, please read our special article on: The Prayer of Prophet Yunus in the Belly of the Fish and its Meaning.
4. The Universal Prayer: A Solution for Goodness in This World and the Hereafter
Often we are confused about what to ask for because of the sheer number of problems. Therefore, ask for goodness in “its entirety”. Anas bin Malik narrated (No. 347) that this was the supplication most frequently recited by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
اللَّهُمَّ آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Allaahumma aatinaa fid dunyaa hasanah, wa fil aakhirati hasanah, wa qinaa ‘adzaaban naar.
Meaning: “O Allah, grant us goodness in this world, and goodness in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Hellfire.”
Read the complete explanation of why this prayer is called the ‘The All-Encompassing Prayer’ and the secret of its virtues in the article The Meaning and Virtues of the Rabbana Atina ‘All-Encompassing’ Prayer.
5. Special Practices: Ruqyah and Family Protection
In addition to using it for himself, Imam Nawawi also included the narration of Abdullah bin Ja’far (No. 348) which teaches a prayer for protection for the family. He used to recite this prayer to those who were sick with fever (maw’uk) and teach it to daughters who were going to travel far or marry away (mughtaribah). See the practical guide How to Perform Ruqyah on Sick Family Members with Ayat al-Kursi and Specific Dhikr here.
This could be a daily practice for parents who are concerned about their children:
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ الْكَرِيْمُ الْعَظِيْمُ, سُبْحَانَهُ, تَبَارَكَ اللهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيْمُ, الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ
Laa ilaaha illallaahul kariimul ‘azhiim, subhaanahu, tabaarakallaahu rabbul ‘arsyil ‘azhiim, alhamdulillaahi rabbil ‘aalamiin.
Meaning: “There is no god but Allah, the Most Noble and Most Grand. Glory to Him, glory to Allah, Lord of the Mighty Throne. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
Additional Tips: Combining Ayat al-Kursi
In a hadith narrated by Ibn Sunni (No. 351), it is also mentioned the virtue of reciting Ayat al-Kursi and the Last Two Verses of Surah Al-Baqarah when facing difficulties. This combination of Quranic verses is believed to hasten the coming of Allah’s help.
Summary Table of Prayers According to Conditions
To make it easier to practice, here is a summary table of prayers based on your emotional state:
| Heart Condition | Recommended Prayer | Focus of Meaning |
| Panic / Major Problem | Tawhid Prayer (Hadith 344) | Praising the greatness of Allah to calm the heart. |
| Feeling Weak / Tired | Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum (Hadith 345) | Asking for strength and the mercy of Allah. |
| Dead End / Despair | The Prayer of Prophet Yunus (Hadith 352) | Confession of sin and request for forgiveness. |
| Anxious about the Future | The Prayer of Abu Bakrah (Hadith 349) | Total surrender, do not rely on logic. |
| Confused About What to Ask For | The Universal Prayer (Hadith 347) | Asking for a complete package of worldly and hereafter goodness. |
| Sick / Child Away From Home | The Prayer of Abdullah bin Ja’far (Hadith 348) | Protection and healing. |
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the best time to recite these prayers?
The Messenger of Allah recited it “when” (‘inda) hardship came. So, recite it immediately when the heart feels uneasy, anxious, or when a problem has just occurred. In addition, times of acceptance such as the last third of the night or the last prostration are also highly recommended.
Is it permissible to recite this supplication in Indonesian only?
Praying in any language is permissible, and Allah is All-Knowing. However, reciting the original Arabic wording (ma’tsur) as uttered by the Prophet has a special blessing.
Must it all be read at once?
Not required. Choose one or two prayers that resonate most with your heart at that moment, then repeat them (dwamkan) until your heart feels at peace.
Conclusion: Do Not Despair
Life’s difficulties are a way for Allah to call us back to draw near. By practicing the prayer to remove sadness above, we not only seek solutions to problems, but also improve our relationship with the Creator.
Remember the Prophet’s message in the narrations above: the key to assistance is tawhid (oneness of God), self-recognition, and total surrender. May Allah lift all burdens from your shoulders and replace them with unexpected happiness.
And Allah knows best.
Reference
Al-Nawawī, Yaḥyā ibn Sharaf. Al-Adhkār. Edited by ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Arnaʾūṭ. New revised edition. Beirut: Dār al-Fikr, 1994.
