SUPPLICATIONS FOR DISTRESS AND ANXIETY
Many people who experience inner distress, anxiety, and a feeling of chest tightness want to turn to God in these moments. The Quran contains verses and supplications that can be recalled at such times; among them, Prophet Yunus's plea from within the darkness and Surah Al-Inshirah's message of relief stand out. This page is not a treatment list — it is a resource recalling the themes of seeking refuge, patience, and trust in God during anxiety and distress.
This content is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment. If you experience severe anxiety, panic, chest pain, shortness of breath, or thoughts of self-harm, seek professional help without delay.
Duas and Verses
The Opening of the Chest
أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ
Elem neşrah leke sadrek.
Did We not expand for you your chest (O Muhammad)?
For someone feeling overwhelmed, this verse can be read as a comfort recalling that God grants ease to the heart.
Ease Coming with Hardship
فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًۭا
Fe inne mea'l-usri yüsrâ, inne mea'l-usri yüsrâ.
Indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.
Can be read when wishing to recall that hardship is not permanent; the verse's twofold repetition is understood as emphasis.
Musa's Supplication for Ease of Heart
رَبِّ ٱشْرَحْ لِى صَدْرِى وَيَسِّرْ لِىٓ أَمْرِى
Rabbi'şrah lî sadrî ve yessir lî emrî.
My Lord, expand for me my chest, and ease my task for me.
Can be recalled when feeling a tightness of heart before a difficult task or decision.
Yunus's Supplication from Within the Darkness
لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
Lâ ilâhe illâ ente sübhâneke innî küntü minez-zâlimîn.
There is no god but You; glory be to You. Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.
Can be recalled as a supplication of refuge in moments of distress and helplessness.
The Heart Finding Rest Through Remembrance
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ
Ellezîne âmenû ve tatmainnu kulûbühüm bi zikrillâh, elâ bi zikrillâhi tatmainnü'l-kulûb.
Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of God — verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest.
Can be recalled when feeling mental strain or unease, wishing to find calm through remembrance and supplication.
Not Being Burdened Beyond One's Capacity
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
Lâ yükellifullâhü nefsen illâ vüs'ahâ.
God does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.
Can be read as a reminder for someone feeling crushed under a burden.
Ease After Hardship
سَيَجْعَلُ ٱللَّهُ بَعْدَ عُسْرٍۢ يُسْرًۭا
Se yec'alüllâhü ba'de usrin yüsrâ.
God will bring about ease after hardship.
Can be read as a reminder of hope during a period of material or spiritual hardship.
Not Despairing of God's Mercy
لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا
Lâ taknatû mir rahmetillâh, innallâhe yağfiruz-zünûbe cemîâ.
Do not despair of the mercy of God, for God forgives all sins.
Can be recalled when feeling hopelessness or a troubled conscience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does reading these verses relieve anxiety immediately?
These verses are a source of refuge and reminder, not an instant treatment or a guaranteed method of relief. Many people read them as part of a broader practice of patience and trust in God.
I feel chest pain — should I read this page?
No. Physical symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath can be a medical emergency; in that case, call emergency services or seek medical care first. This page is about spirituality and refuge — it is not a substitute for urgent medical care.
Which surah can be listened to during anxiety?
Surah Al-Inshirah and An-Anbiya 21:87, which contains Prophet Yunus's supplication, are among the verses most commonly recalled. See our Peace of Heart topic page for more.
Sources
- Tanzil Project — Uthmani Mushaf
- QuranEnc — Türkçe Meal