Religion encompasses each and every aspect of life. It is the set of rules and regulations that are meant for us to live a good, pious, and enriched life. However, the test set from God is for our human nature. It is the ultimate test that determines whether or not we can conquer the trials that this world presents to us.
These trials come in various forms and stages of our life and whenever these trials come, they are meant to teach us something or build us up in some way or another. However, the twist is that our circumstances can either build us up in the right way or the wrong way. Whenever we’re faced with these situations, it is imperative that we hold on dearly to our religion.
When we experience stress and adversity, when we experience spiritual lows, when our hearts get dark, and when we lack the desire to achieve anything, our days become empty and our hearts grow hard.
Some of us turn to doctors and medications, while others find comfort in talking to others about their troubles. However, only a small percentage of us remember to first turn to Allah in order to solve our problems. We are aware of Allah's Love and trust that He is greater than all of our issues.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said about remembering Allah:
Do not talk too much without remembrance of Allah. Indeed, excessive talking without remembrance of Allah hardens the heart. And indeed the furthest of people from Allah is the harsh-hearted. (At-Tirmidhi)
He (PBUH) also said:
The house in which remembrance of Allah is made and the house in which Allah is not remembered are like the living and the dead. (Muslim)
The following are some of the most important duas and hadiths that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged us to say.
1- Best Dhikr
The best remembrance is: ‘there is none worthy of worship except Allah (La ilaha illallah)’ and the best supplication is: ‘All praise is due to Allah (Al-ḥamdulillah).’ (At-Tirmidhi)
2- Best Dua for Glorifying Allah
Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to the weight of His Throne and equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His Praise). (Muslim)
3- Best of Dua
O our Lord, grants us the best in this life and the best in the next life, and protects us from the punishment of the Fire. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
4- Best Dua for Forgiveness
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is:
“O Allah! You are my Lord. None has the right to be worshiped except You. You created me and I am your servant and I abide by your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in you from the evil, which I have committed. I acknowledge your favor upon me and I aknowledge my sins, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sin except you.”
If somebody recites this invocation during the night, and if he should die then, he will go to Paradise (or he will be from the people of Paradise). And if he recites it in the morning, and if he should die on the same day, he will have the same fate.” (Al-Bukhari)
5- Best Dua for Protection
The Prophet said:
He who recites three times every morning and evening: ‘In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing,’ nothing will harm him. (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)
6- Best Dua for Depression
“The supplication of Dhun-Nun (Prophet Yunus) when he supplicated, while in the belly of the whale was: ‘There is none worthy of worship except You, Glory to You, Indeed, I have been of the transgressors.
So indeed, no Muslim man supplicates with it for anything, ever, except Allah responds to him.” (At-Tirmidhi)
7- Best Dua for Inner Peace
Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah said to me:
“Shall I not guide you to a treasure from the treasures of Jannah?”
I said:
“Yes, O Messenger of Allah!”
Thereupon he (peace be upon him) said:
(Recite) ‘La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah‘ (There is no change of a condition nor power except by Allah). (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)