Dua and Mental Health: Equipping our children for Life's Challenges

In Islam, the approach to mental health is holistic, encompassing the nurturing of the mind, body, and soul. One of the practices that carries great importance is the act of dua (supplication) and zikr (remembrance of Allah).

It is particularly crucial to help our children, especially teenagers and tweens who often struggle with their emotions, recognize the transformative power of supplication in the face of emotional challenges.

Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says in the glorious Quran: 

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ

Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.

(Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:28)

Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has provided us with this beautiful avenue of communication and solace. Through dua, we can pour our hearts out to our Creator, seeking His guidance, mercy, and support. Teaching and helping our children incorporate these supplications into their daily lives will In sha Allah empower them to seek comfort in prayer while developing a strong connection with Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. This connection will serve as a source of strength and peace, guiding them through life's challenges and instilling within them a sense of contentment and reliance upon Him subhanahu wa ta’ala. 

To embark on this journey, here are some simple yet profound duas that are of immense benefit to teach our children: 

لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz zalimin

“There is no god but You, exalted are You! Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”

(Surah Al Anbiya, 21:87)

This concise dua'a was uttered by Prophet Yunus ( alayhis salam) in the belly of a whale, in seemingly hopeless situation. Yet, Allah answered his plea and saved him. It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how dire our circumstances may appear, turning to Allah in sincere supplication can bring about miraculous solutions.

2.

اللهُ اللهُ ربِّي لَا أُشرِكُ به شيئًا

Allah, Allah, Rabbi La Ushriku Bihi Syai'a

"Allah, Allah, my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him"

By reciting this dua, we affirm our belief in the oneness of Allah and signifies our complete trust in His guidance, mercy, and protection. It reminds us to turn solely to Allah for help and support, without associating any partners with Him.

3.

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِالرِّجَالِ.

Allāhumma innī aʿūdhu bika min-l-hammi wa-l-ḥazan, wa aʿūdhu bika min-l-ʿajzi wa-l-kasal, wa aʿūdhu bika min-l-jubni wa-l-bukhl, wa aʿūdhu bika min ghalabati-d-dayni wa qahri-r-rijāl.

O Allah, I seek Your protection from anxiety and grief. I seek Your protection from inability and laziness. I seek Your protection from cowardice and miserliness, and I seek Your protection from being overcome by debt and being overpowered by men.

The story behind this dua involves a companion named Abu Umamah ﷺ who was troubled by perpetual worries and mounting debts. When he shared his concerns with the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wassalam , the Messenger of Allah ﷺ offered him a remedy in the form of this powerful dua. Upon reciting this supplication in the morning and evening, Abu Umamah experienced a remarkable transformation. Allah answered his plea, alleviated his worries, and settled his debts. Abu Umamah’s story not only shows the Prophet's compassion and concern for the well-being of his companions but also serves as a testament to the incredible power of supplicating to Allah in times of difficulty. It is interesting how it encompasses the challenges many of us face in our daily lives.

4.

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ عَبْدُكَ ، وَابْنُ عَبْدِكَ ، وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ ، نَاصِيَتِيْ بِيَدِكَ ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ ،سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ ، أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِيْ كِتَابِكَ ، أَوِ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِيْ عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيْعَقَلْبِيْ ، وَنُوْرَ صَدْرِيْ وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِيْ ، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّيْ

Allāhumma innī ʿabduk, wa-bnu ʿabdik, wa-bnu amatik, nāṣiyatī bi-yadik, māḍin fiyya ḥukmuk, ʿadlun fiyya qaḍā’uk, as’aluka bi-kulli-smin huwa lak, sammayta bihi nafsak, aw ʿallamtahū aḥadam-min khalqik, aw anzaltahū fī Kitābik, awi-sta’tharta bihī fī ʿilmi-l-ghaybi ʿindak, an tajʿala-l-Qur’āna rabīʿa qalbī, wa nūra ṣadrī wa jalā’a ḥuznī, wa dhahāba hammī.

O Allah, I am Your slave and the son of Your male slave and the son of Your female slave. My forehead is in Your Hand (i.e. you have control over me). I am subject to Your judgement and Your decree concerning me is just. I ask You – by every name that is Yours, by which You have named Yourself, or taught any one of Your creation, or revealed in Your Book, or kept unto Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen that is with You – to make the Qur’ān the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the banisher of my grief and the reliever of my anxiety.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ  taught this dua to his companions as a remedy for grief and anxiety. He emphasized its effectiveness, assuring them that whoever recites it in times of distress, Allah will alleviate their sorrows and replace them with joy.

This dua' also serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact the Qur'an can have on our emotional well-being. It highlights its transformative power; capable of dispelling grief and anxiety, and bringing solace and tranquility to the heart of the believer.

5.

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ الْعَظِيْمُ الْحَلِيْمُ ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيْمِ ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ رَبُّ السَّمٰـوٰتِ وَرَبُّ الْأَرْضِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيْمِ

Lā ilāha illā-llāhu-l-ʿĀẓīmu-l-Ḥalīm, lā ilāha illā-llāhu Rabbu-l-ʿĀrshi-l-ʿAẓīm, lā ilāha illā-llāhu Rabbu-s-samāwāti wa Rabbu-l-arḍi wa Rabbu-l-ʿĀrshi-l-karīm.

There is no god but Allah, the Supreme, The Forbearing. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the Magnificent Throne. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth, Lord of the Noble Throne.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would invoke Allah with this dua during times of distress. By reciting this dua, we acknowledge that Allah is the ultimate authority, encompassing all things in His dominion. We seek His mercy, knowing that He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, and that His power knows no bounds. This reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. Allah is always there to listen, comfort, and answer our prayers.

Through our commitment to the holistic growth of our children, in sha Allah, we can help them flourish into confident individuals who seek solace in the remembrance of Allah. I pray that Allah blesses our efforts and grants us success in nurturing our children on the right path. May He grant them the strength to navigate life's challenges and find peace in their connection with Him.