Can dua treat anxiety or depression? Sure, it can. In this write-up, we shall tell you some best prayers (dua) that will help you cure your anxiety and depression.
These duas are taught in Qur’an and Hadith which are helpful for anxiety and depression.
Anxiety, panic attacks, and depression are mental ailments. Like all sorts of diseases, these are also medical in nature, and primarily one should seek help from certified doctors.
However, in some societies, the disease is considered taboo, and people seek alternate treatments rather than getting help from psychologists or psychiatrists.
Luckily, we do have alternative treatments in the form of dua and Quranic Surahs. As Allah SWT has mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Isra Ayat 82;
There is no denying the fact that Qur’an is a cure (shifaa) for all. Its recitation can cure all sorts of diseases. However, there are also some specific Surahs as well as Duas that are specifically helpful in anxiety and depression.
10 Most Effective Duas (Prayers) that will Cure your Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are basically the absence of peace of heart and mind. In Surah Ar-Ra’d, Allah SWT reminds us that the peace and comfort of the heart lie only in the remembrance of Allah.
Certainly, all dua (supplications) are in fact the remembrance of Allah that ultimately provide us comfort from stress, anxiety, and depression.
However, the following are the specific dua and Ayats from Qur’an that are helpful for anxiety and depression.
1. Prophet PBUH taught Prayers for Stress
Asma’ Binti ‘Umais r.a narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said to me;
“Shall I not teach you some words to say when in distress?”
اللهُ اللهُ ربِّي لَا أُشرِكُ به شيئًا
2. Ayat-e-Kareema Cures Anxiety & Depression
Hazrat Yunus A.S. faced the worst sort of anxiety when he was stranded in the belly of a big fish. Indeed, our condition is much better than his, although we are stressed and facing anxiety because of our individual conditions.
Ayat-e-Kareema is the dua that Prophet Younus A.S kept on reciting in the belly and Allah provided him the exit from the apparently impossible.
لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
You can also seek help from Allah and get relief from anxiety and depression by reciting Ayat-e-Kareema frequently.
Like Ayat-e-Kareema, many other beautiful Quranic Verses are also helpful in treating distress, panic attacks, anxiety, and depression.
3. Various other prayers for Anxiety and Depression from Qur’an
Recite the following Quranic Verses to get instant relief from depression and anxiety.
رَبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ
This prayer will make your tasks easier for you and open up ways from the dead ends.
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
This is the most beautiful verse that instantly provides relief from all sorts of problems and stress.
أَمَّن يُجِيبُ ٱلْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةًۭ وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًۭا
4. Dua to Cure Anxiety as mentioned in Ahadith
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Nothing can change the divine decree except prayer.”
According to a Hadith, whoever would recite this 7 times in the morning or evening, Allah (SWT) will grant him/her sufficiency from which whatever matters that brings him or her grief:
حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لآ إلَهَ إلَّا هُوَ، عَلَيْهَ توَكَّلتُ، وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ جَهْدِ الْبَلَاءِ، وَدَرَكِ الشَّقَاءِ، وَسُوءِ الْقَضَاءِ، وَشَمَاتَةِ الْأَعْدَاءِ
According to a Hadith in Tirmidhi Shareef, during the time of distress, the Prophet (SAWW) used to say:
3 Quranic Surahs to treat Anxiety and Depression
As we have mentioned earlier, the whole Qur’an is a relief from anxiety and depression.
However, if someone would ask for some specific Surahs where Allah SWT is directly consoling all those suffering from distress, anxiety, or depression, there are two short and most relieving Surahs that we shall mention below.
1. Surah Duha
Surah Duha is the most recommended one for relief from anxiety and depression by most Islamic Scholars like Dr. Israr Ahmed.
One must read this Surah with translation and he/she would find Allah Almighty consoling him/her.
2. Surah Alam Nashrah
Surah Nashrah is also equally relieving Surah at the time of stress, anxiety, and depression.
These Surahs are short and can easily be learned by heart. One should recite them whenever one is free and he/she would find himself/herself in comfort and relief all the time.
3. Other Surahs
Surahs like Surah Ar-Rahman and Surah Yaseen are also instant relief-providing in times of pain, suffering, and distress.
In short, the whole Qur’an is a relief.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
All the dua mentioned in this write-up (like Ayat-e-Kareema, etc) are good for anxiety. Each supplication invokes Allah’s mercy for us.
Overall, the whole Qur’an is a cure for depression. However, two Surahs – Surah Duha & Surah Alam Nashrah – are specifically relief providers at the time of depression.
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