There are moments in life when the weight of trials feels overwhelming, and we find ourselves in a state of deep desperation. At such times, the best refuge is turning to Allah with heartfelt dua. The following supplication is often recited in moments of distress and difficulty. While it is not recorded in the hadith collections, it has been cherished and passed down among believers because of the comfort and relief it has brought to many hearts.
This dua is genuine, filled with humility and hope, and it reflects the essence of what Allah loves most: prayers that come sincerely from the heart. Even when words fail us, Allah listens and responds. Just as He parted the sea for Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) in his moment of need, we ask Allah to open the way for us, to grant us relief, and to shower us with His mercy.
Dua For Times of Desperation
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
إِلَهِي كَيْفَ أَدْعُوكَ وَ أَنَا أَنَا وَ كَيْفَ أَقْطَعُ رَجَائِي مِنْكَ وَ أَنْتَ أَنْتَ
إِلَهِي إِذَا لَمْ أَسْأَلْكَ فَتُعْطِيَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي أَسْأَلُهُ فَيُعْطِينِي
إِلَهِي إِذَا لَمْ أَدْعُكَ (أَدْعُوكَ) فَتَسْتَجِيبَ لِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي أَدْعُوهُ فَيَسْتَجِيبُ لِي
إِلَهِي إِذَا لَمْ أَتَضَرَّعْ إِلَيْكَ فَتَرْحَمَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي أَتَضَرَّعُ إِلَيْهِ فَيَرْحَمُنِي
إِلَهِي فَكَمَا فَلَقْتَ الْبَحْرَ لِمُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ وَ نَجَّيْتَهُ
أَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ
وَ أَنْ تُنَجِّيَنِي مِمَّا أَنَا فِيهِ وَ تُفَرِّجَ عَنِّي فَرَجاً عَاجِلاً غَيْرَ آجِلٍ
بِفَضْلِكَ وَ رَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem
illahi Kayfa ad’ooka wa ana ana
Wa kayfa aqta’u rajaaee minka awa anta anta
illahi idha-lam as’aluka fa-tu’tini
fa-man dhaal-ladhi as’aluhu fa yu’tini
illahi idha-lam ad’ooka fa tastajeebu-li
fa-man dhal-ladhi ad’oohu fa yastajeebu-li
illahi idha-lam atadharra’u ilayka fa tarhamuni
fa-man dhal-ladhi atadharra’u ilayhi fa yarhamuni
illahi fakamaa falaqta-al-bahra li musa ‘alayhi salaam
wa najjaytahu as’aluka an tusalli ‘ala Mohammad wa ali Mohammad
wa an tunajiyani mimma anaa feehi
wa tufarrija ‘anni farajan ‘aajila ghayra aajil
bi-fadlika wa rahmatika ya arhamar-raahimeen.
In the name of Allah, The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful.
O’ my lord, how can I call upon you while I am but me?
And how can I lose hope in you while you are you?
O’ my lord, when I did not ask from you, you gave me. So who else would I ask from and be granted but you?
O’ my lord, when I did not call out, you answered me. So who else would I call out to but you who would answer me?
O’ my lord, when I did not plead to you, you had mercy on me. So who else would I plead to but you and would be shown mercy to?
O’ my lord, you parted the sea for Musa (peace be upon him) and saved him from drowning. I ask you to send blessings upon Mohammad and his family
And come to my aid, and relieve me from my difficulties as quickly as possible, without delay. Through your kindness, through your mercy, O’ the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.