Dua For Difficulties, Overthinking and Distress

Life comes at you fast. Bills pile up. Relationships get complicated. Work stress builds. Your mind starts racing with a thousand thoughts at 2 AM.

You feel stuck, worried, and completely overwhelmed. Everyone faces moments like this. Even the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) went through times of distress.

In those heavy moments, he turned to Allah with a simple yet powerful supplication. This dua cuts through the noise and anchors your soul to the only One who can truly help.

This dua is recorded in Jami` at-Tirmidhi. Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه) said that whenever a matter would distress the Prophet ﷺ, he would say these words.

Arabic:
O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help

Transliteration:
Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, bi rahmatika astaghith

Meaning:
O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help/relief.

Why is this Dua Significant?

This dua carries two of Allah’s most powerful names. Al-Hayy means The Ever-Living. Unlike us, Allah never sleeps, never tires, and never dies. Al-Qayyum means The Self-Sustaining. He does not depend on anyone. Everything in creation depends on Him for existence. When you call upon these names, you connect with a source of strength that never runs out. Your problems might feel huge, but the One you are calling is infinitely bigger.

How many times should you recite this dua?

• Recite this dua as many times as needed when you feel distressed or overwhelmed.
• There is no set number. Repeat it until your heart feels lighter and your mind settles down.

Overthinking traps you in a loop. Your brain keeps circling the same fears without any solution. This dua breaks that cycle. It pulls you out of your own head and lifts your gaze upward.

MORE: