Dua La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz zalimin (Ayat E Kareema)

Assalamualaikum. Today, I’m sharing a dua that brings relief in times of distress—it’s short, simple, and easy to memorize in just a few minutes.

This very supplication sustained Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) when he was trapped in the dark solitude of a whale’s belly. The Quran tells us that by reciting this dua, he was freed from his agonizing burden.

This ayah—commonly known as Ayat E Kareema or Ayat Karima—is from Surah Anbiya Verse 87. The full verse reads:

“And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, ‘There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.’ Then We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.”

If you’re familiar with Prophet Yunus’ story, you know he grew discouraged by his people’s refusal to accept Allah’s message. Without Allah’s permission, he left the city of Nineveh, hoping to find a community that would embrace his teachings. This is why the Quran notes he “went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him.”

As a consequence, he was cast off his ship, swallowed by a whale, and left in total darkness. In that moment of despair, he turned back to Allah—praising Him, affirming His oneness, and humbly admitting his mistake with the words, “Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”

Allah, seeing his genuine repentance, relieved him of his suffering and guided him to safety.

This short dua encapsulates tawheed—the fundamental Islamic tenet of Allah’s oneness. By reciting it, you consciously declare that Allah (swt) is the only true deity, exalted above all, and humbly acknowledge your own faults and weaknesses.

I can’t recall who first shared this—perhaps Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)—but the message holds true: the worst sin is the one a sinner dismisses lightly. We should constantly turn to Allah (swt) in repentance whenever we have free moments. None of us make perfect use of our time—some do better than others, but we can all improve by minimizing idleness and filling our moments with remembrance.

This is why this powerful ayah deserves a place in our collection of duas and azkar. Remember: the best form of dhikr is reciting the Quran with an understanding of its meaning. May this dua be a source of comfort and relief for you in times of need. Ameen.