Dua for distress and hardship
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَرَبُّ الْأَرْضِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ
Lā ilāha illa’llāhu’l-ʿAẓīmu’l-Ḥalīm, lā ilāha illa’llāhu Rabbu’l-ʿarshi’l-ʿaẓīm, lā ilāha illa’llāhu Rabbu’s-samāwāti wa Rabbu’l-arḍi wa Rabbu’l-ʿarshi’l-karīm.
“There is no god but Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the Mighty Throne. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth, and Lord of the Noble Throne.”
When to say it
Said when overwhelmed by grief, anxiety or an overwhelming affliction.
Virtue & benefit
The Prophet ﷺ used to say these words at times of distress. They anchor the heart in Allah's greatness when a burden feels too heavy.
Source
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (6346) and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2730), from Ibn ʿAbbās.
Frequently asked
What dua did the Prophet ﷺ say in distress?
He would repeat "Lā ilāha illa’llāhu’l-ʿAẓīmu’l-Ḥalīm…", declaring Allah's greatness as Lord of the Mighty Throne, reported in Bukhari and Muslim.
How many times should I say the dua for distress?
No fixed number is required; it is repeated sincerely until the heart finds calm.
Make this dua a daily habit
SABR helps you memorise and retain your everyday duas with spaced repetition — so the words are ready on your tongue when you need them.