449. Dua for Distress (Masnun Dua)
Narrated Zainab bint Jahsh (RA): That the Prophet (ﷺ) once came to her in a state of fear and said:
Dua for Distress in Arabic
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
Dua for Distress English Transliteration
Laa Ilaaha Illaallah
Dua for Distress English Translation
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.
Woe unto the Arabs from a danger that has come near. An opening has been made in the wall of Gog and Magog like this," making a circle with his thumb and index finger. Zainab bint Jahsh (RA) said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Shall we be destroyed even though there are pious persons among us?" He said, "Yes, when the evil person will increase."
Hadith about the Dua
Arabic Text
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ زَيْنَبَ ابْنَةَ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، حَدَّثَتْهُ عَنْ أُمِّ حَبِيبَةَ بِنْتِ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ زَيْنَبَ ابْنَةِ جَحْشٍ ـ رضى الله عنهن أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا فَزِعًا يَقُولُ " لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَيْلٌ لِلْعَرَبِ مِنْ شَرٍّ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ فُتِحَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ رَدْمِ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مِثْلُ هَذِهِ ". وَحَلَّقَ بِإِصْبَعِهِ الإِبْهَامِ وَالَّتِي تَلِيهَا. قَالَتْ زَيْنَبُ ابْنَةُ جَحْشٍ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَهْلِكُ وَفِينَا الصَّالِحُونَ قَالَ " نَعَمْ، إِذَا كَثُرَ الْخُبْثُ ".
Narrated Zainab bint Jahsh: That the Prophet (ﷺ) once came to her in a state of fear and said, "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. Woe unto the Arabs from a danger that has come near. An opening has been made in the wall of Gog and Magog like this," making a circle with his thumb and index finger. Zainab bint Jahsh said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Shall we be destroyed even though there are pious persons among us?" He said, "Yes, when the evil person will increase." [Bukhari: 3346]
Benefits of Dua for Forgiveness and Guidance
This dua from Surah Ahqaf helps Muslims find the right path and get Allah’s forgiveness, showing that believing in Allah and His Messenger brings safety from sins and keeps the heart full of hope.
- Allah’s words in surah al ahqaf guide a muslim to the straight path every day.
- Dua for forgiveness brings Allah’s mercy and keeps old sins away from the heart.
- Believing in the Messenger of Allah makes forgiveness and safety easy for muslims.
- Prayer forgiveness of sins helps a muslim stay safe from painful azaab and fear.
- Dua for guidance and forgiveness keeps Iman strong and brings hope in hard times.
When to Recite Dua For Distress
This dua for distress, la ilaha illaallah, is a simple but strong zikr that brings calm, Barakah, and Iman when your heart feels heavy, helping you remember Allah in every tough moment.
- In times of stress or tension, repeat la ilaha ilallah for peace and ease.
- After salah, softly say this dua for distress to keep your heart close to Allah.
- When feeling lost or worried, use this best dhikr for comfort and strong Iman.
- During daily work or walks on road, remember Allah with lailahaillallah for Barakah.
- Before going to bed, recite this islamic declaration of faith for calm and tawheed.
How to perform Dua for Distress
This dua for distress is a short but strong islamic declaration of faith that brings calm and hope in hard times. Saying Laa Ilaaha Illaallah helps you remember Allah’s power and brings ease to your heart when you feel stress or tension.
- Start by sitting in a quiet place and softly say la ilaha illallah as your best dhikr.
- When you feel heavy with worry, repeat this dua for distress to find ease and peace.
- In times of tension, use this dua in stress to remind yourself of Allah’s names.
- After your daily salah, make this masnun dua part of your daily dhikr for Barakah.
- If you wake up at night feeling sad, recite lailahaillallah as a muslim prayer for calm.
Summary
The dua for distress is the simple and strong words la ilaha illaallah, which is the main part of tawheed and the Islamic declaration of faith. This masnun dua is found in Bukhari and is a best dhikr for Muslims feeling stress, tension, or sadness in life.
By saying la ilaha ilallah, a Muslim remembers Allah’s power and finds peace in heart. This dua for ease and dua in stress shows that true comfort comes from zikr Allah and keeping Iman strong in every hard time.