Dua For Ease and Overcoming Difficulties

There’s a verse from the Quran: “We have certainly created man into hardship. Does he think that never will anyone overcome him?” Surah Balad Ayat 4-5

Life is full of suffering, as Buddhists say. This is ancient wisdom, discussed for centuries across both faiths.

Islam teaches us that any hardship you face is a test. In Surah Baqarah, it reads: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient” (2:155).

Truth be told, you shouldn’t wish your hardships away—instead, shift your mindset and be grateful for them. Before you feel tempted to disagree strongly, let me explain.

Imagine a parallel universe where you get everything you want in life: no stress, no anxiety, no letdowns—perfect in every way. How fulfilling would that really be? You’d grow hypersensitive to the slightest loss or insult. Even though we don’t enjoy the discomfort of hardship, we must appreciate the opportunity for personal growth it brings.

Happiness is meaningful only because we know sadness and loneliness. It’s through hardships that we truly cherish moments of tranquility—we understand the “other side of the coin.”

The Quran reminds us: “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease” (94:5).

Finish this familiar phrase: “Whatever doesn’t kill me makes me _________.” We all know the answer, but do we truly grasp its meaning?

When we face adversity, we rise to the challenge and grow stronger in mind. We often underestimate our ability to adapt to life’s stressors—we’re far more resilient than we give ourselves credit for.

“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. ‘Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.’” Surah Baqarah Ayah 286

Repeat this to yourself: Allah does not charge a soul except that which is within its capacity. Reflect on all the adversity you’ve faced in the past—yet here you are, still standing. We often fear new challenges, convinced we can’t overcome them, but we forget all we’ve already accomplished.

Surah Baqarah also says: “Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us.” It helps to remember: your problems are not new. Billions of people have walked this earth before you and faced the exact same struggles. These challenges have been handled and solved by millions—you just need to be creative in finding solutions, or simply take the steps to work through them.

Another saying rings true: “We often suffer more in imagination than we do in reality.”

If the worst-case scenario happened, what would it entail? Write it out—it helps to visualize. Then, for each point, outline ways to prevent it or repair the damage if it occurs. Ask yourself: What’s the one best thing I can do right now to move closer to a solution?

Don’t forget Allah—recite the dua shared earlier. If you seek barakah (blessing), say “bismillah” before beginning every task.

Remember: every hardship is a test from Allah, and with every hardship comes ease. Don’t be ungrateful for these moments—there’s a silver lining in every situation if you look for it.

And always keep in mind: Allah has not burdened a soul with more than it can carry.

قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى وَرَزَقَنِى مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنْهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ ۚ إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلْإِصْلَٰحَ مَا

He said, “O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him…? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allah. Upon him I have relied, and to Him I return.” Surah Hud Ayah 88