أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

Annii massaniyad-durru wa anta Arhamur-raahimiin. (21:83)

Adversity has afflicted me and You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.

Ameen

This is the famous du’aa of Sayyidna Ayyub (Job) (a.s.). We do not know the exact nature of his affliction but we do know that it was a severe test and that he was cured after making this du’aa. His patience has been praised in the Qur’an: “Truly We found him full of patience” (Sad, 38:44).

A very important lesson to learn from this story is that in this world afflictions can affect both believers and non-believers. What distinguishes the former from the latter is not the fact of affliction but their response to it. The believers submit to the Will of Allah and turn to Him with supplication. The non-believers, on the other hand, can only complain and wonder “why me?” The faith of the first group gives them the strength to face the difficulties. The ordeals bring them closer to Allah Ta’aala.

According to Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq, it is recommended to make this du’aa whenever a person is sick or is facing any hardships.

(Source: Khalid Baig’s commentary to du’aa #22 in the Accepted Whispers: Munajat-e-Maqbul)

Oh Allah, forgive the sins of the Ummah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallem) and grant us ease in our hardships and affairs. Ameen.