Authentic Prayers for Deliverance from Scarcity of Livelihood and the Expansion of Sustenance
Blessed Practices Bihar-e-Saifiyyah (Wazifa for Rizq) for Deliverance from Poverty, Debt, and Hardship, Narrated from Sacred Hadiths and Saints of Religion — With Complete References
Table of Contents
Sustenance is a fundamental need of human life from which no one is free. It is for this reason that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, taught his Ummah several specific prayers and practices for blessing, abundance, and deliverance from debt in matters of sustenance — practices that have been preserved for centuries in the books of scholars and saints of religion. In this article, in the light of these authentic narrations, we shall discuss the subject of sustenance in detail — each prayer will be accompanied by its background and reference, so that the reader may act upon it with full confidence.
The Prophetic Prescription for Lawful Sustenance and Beneficial Knowledge
The first and most fundamental prayer is the one that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, himself used to recite immediately after the salutation (salam) of the Fajr prayer. This prayer consists of seeking acceptance in three matters — knowledge, sustenance, and deeds:
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا
Translation: O Allah! I ask You for beneficial knowledge, pure sustenance, and deeds that are accepted.
Reference: Sahih Ibn Majah, Sahih al-Zawa’id, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi
The merit of this prayer is that it is sufficient to recite it just once a day, immediately after the Fajr prayer, and it brings with it the blessing of knowledge and deeds along with sustenance.
The Blessing of Not Asking (Begging) from People
In a very important hadith, the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said that if a person who is afflicted with poverty presents his condition only before Allah Almighty, rather than mentioning it before people, then it is close that Allah Almighty will soon bless him with sustenance — or with some delay, but He will surely bless him. On the contrary, the person who begins asking from people, his want never ends. This is the very principle by acting upon which the truly patient attain abundance in sustenance.
Quranic Surahs for Blessing in Sustenance
It is narrated from Hazrat Jubayr ibn Mut’im, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, asked him whether he would like that, when he set out on a journey, he be in a better condition and more comfort than his companions? When he answered in the affirmative, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, instructed him to recite five specific surahs (Qul Ya Ayyuha’l-Kafirun, Idha Ja’a Nasrullah, Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad, Qul A’udhu bi Rabbi’l-Falaq, Qul A’udhu bi Rabbi’n-Nas), and also instructed that each surah be begun and ended with Bismillah.
Hazrat Jubayr, may Allah be pleased with him, himself relates that through the blessing of this practice he became very wealthy. On another occasion, he also mentioned that one of his companions, who used to be the poorest at the time of travel, began reciting these surahs regularly after learning them, and thereafter he would return from every journey more prosperous and in a better condition than his friends.
Reference: Al-Du’a by al-Tabarani, 1/1706
Protection from Scarcity of Sustenance and Grief
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said that whoever Allah has granted a blessing should recite “Alhamdulillah” abundantly, and whoever is greatly afflicted with grief and sorrow should recite “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” abundantly.
Reference: Musnad Abu Ya’la, 3/1107
The Morning and Evening Prayer for the Best Sustenance
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: whoever recites this prayer in the morning will be blessed with the best sustenance that day and protected from evils, and whoever recites it in the evening will receive the best sustenance that evening and be protected from evils.
مَا شَاءَ اللهُ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ اللهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Prayers for Abundance in Sustenance and Deliverance from Debt
* Prayer for Deliverance from Hunger and Poverty
Imam Mustaghfiri, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates from Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, that once Hazrat Umar Faruq, may Allah be pleased with him, faced the distress of hunger and poverty, so he requested a camel from the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said that if he wished, he could order a camel for him, or if he wished, he could teach him words that would be better than a camel. He then instructed him to recite this prayer.
اَللّٰهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي بِالْإِسْلَامِ قَائِمًا وَاحْفَظْنِي بِالْإِسْلَامِ قَاعِدًا وَاحْفَظْنِي بِالْإِسْلَامِ رَاقِدًا وَلَا تُشْمِتْ بِيَّ عَدُوًّا وَلَا حَاسِدًا وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ دَابَّةٍ أَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهَا وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ الَّذِي هُوَ بِيَدِكَ كُلُّهُ
Reference: Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi
* For Abundance in Sustenance
Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated with a chain of transmission from the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, that whoever wishes for his lifespan to increase, his sustenance to be expanded, to receive help against his enemies, and to be protected from an evil death, should recite the following three times in the morning and three times in the evening.
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ مِلْءَ الْمِيزَانِ، وَمُنْتَهَى الْعِلْمِ، وَمَبْلَغَ الرِّضَا، وَزِنَةَ الْعَرْشِ
* Five Great Words
These are the words that Hazrat Jibra’il (Gabriel), peace be upon him, taught to the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, and which the Prophet gave to Sayyidah Fatimah al-Zahra, may Allah be pleased with her, when she had asked for something in exchange for some goats.
يَا أَوَّلَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَيَا آخِرَ الْآخِرِينَ وَيَا ذَا الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينِ وَيَا رَاحِمَ الْمَسَاكِينِ وَيَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ
* Prayer for Financial Abundance
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that he once met the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, while troubled and showing signs of poverty. When the Prophet asked the reason, he complained of hardship and illnesses. The Prophet taught him this prayer.
تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَمُوتُ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَلِيٌّ مِنَ الذُّلِّ وَكَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيرًا
A few days later, when they met again, Hazrat Abu Hurairah’s, may Allah be pleased with him, condition had become much better — this was the effect of the blessing of this prayer.
Reference: Al-Du’a by al-Tabarani, 1/3285
* For Deliverance from Poverty and Hardship
In a narration related from Hazrat Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, a companion said to the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, that the world had turned against him, meaning he had become extremely poor. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said, do you not know the prayer (salat) and glorification (tasbih) of the angels, by virtue of which they are given sustenance? He then said, recite the following ten times at the break of dawn (Fajr).
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ
* Prayers for Removing Grief, Worry, and Debt
Hazrat Siddiq-e-Akbar (Abu Bakr), may Allah be pleased with him, asked the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, which prayer it was that he had taught Hazrat Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary), peace be upon them both, through which, even if one’s debt were as great as a mountain, Allah Almighty would settle it. The Prophet taught him this prayer.
اَللّٰهُمَّ فَارِجَ الْهَمِّ كَاشِفَ الْغَمِّ مُجِيبَ دَعْوَةِ الْمُضْطَرِّينَ رَحْمَنَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَرَحِيمَهُمَا أَنْتَ تَرْحَمُنِي فَارْحَمْنِي بِرَحْمَةٍ تُغْنِينِي بِهَا عَنْ رَحْمَةِ مَنْ سِوَاكَ
Hazrat Siddiq-e-Akbar, may Allah be pleased with him, himself states that he still owed some debt, and when he began reciting this prayer, Allah Almighty granted him so much wealth that not only was the debt paid off, but a portion also remained for bequest and inheritance afterward.
Reference: Madarij al-Nubuwwah
In this same connection, another prayer narrated from Hazrat Abu Umamah, may Allah be pleased with him, is also extremely effective, which the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, instructed him to recite morning and evening for deliverance from grief and debt.
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
Reference: Mustadrak al-Hakim, Kitab al-Du’a, Hadith No. 1950; Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Salat
* Priceless Prayers for Deliverance from Debts
There is a well-known account about Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, that a mukatab slave (a slave under a contract to purchase his own freedom), unable to pay his contracted sum, came to him for help. Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, had taught him words such that even if his debt were equal to “Qarz-e-Sayr” (i.e., equal to a mountain of Yemen), Allah Almighty would cause it to be paid off.
اَللّٰهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ
Similarly, it is narrated from Hazrat Mu’adh ibn Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him, that a Jewish man had withheld a debt owed to him. The Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, taught him this prayer, and said that even if his debt were as much as the mountains of Yemen, Allah would cause it to be paid off.
قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتَنْزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّنْ تَشَاءُ… وَتَرْزُقُ مَنْ تَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Reference: Tirmidhi, Targhib 6/213 [Surah Aal-e-Imran]
* A Specific Practice for Abundance of Sustenance and Repayment of Debt
It is narrated from the elders/saints that after the Isha prayer, one should recite Durud Sharif (blessings upon the Prophet) eleven times, then “Ya Wahhab” one hundred times, and then Durud Sharif one hundred times again, and then make this prayer, as a regular practice.
يَا وَهَّابُ هَبْ لِي مِنْ نِعْمَةِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ تُعْطِيهِمَا مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ
* For Employment, Abundance of Sustenance, and a Job
For employment: directly after the Isha prayer (without a ta’wiz/amulet), recite “Ya Basit” 42 times after each of the five daily prayers.
For abundance of sustenance: reciting “Ya Mughni” 1,100 times after the Isha prayer has been described as very beneficial for the expansion of sustenance.
For a job/employment, etc.: reciting “Ya Latif” 1,100 times after Isha, followed by Durud Sharif eleven times, causes matters to improve.
Practices for Deliverance from Hardships and Grief
* Recitation in Prostration (Sajdah) for Resolving Difficulties
In Surah Al-‘Alaq, the first surah revealed to the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, Allah Almighty commanded: prostrate and draw near. Acting upon this very principle, scholars and saints of religion made it their practice, in times of severe distress, to recite the fourteen verses of prostration (Ayat al-Sajdah) of the Holy Quran while performing prostration, because it is in the state of prostration that a servant is closest to his Lord.
* An Elixir-like Quranic Practice — Verses that Begin with the Word ‘Allah’
Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Tahir, may Allah have mercy on him, wrote that reciting those verses of the Holy Quran which begin with the word “Allah” at every time of difficulty and need is a tried and tested practice. These verses are found scattered across Surah Al-Baqarah, Aal-e-Imran, An-Nisa, Al-An’am, Al-Anfal, Yunus, Hud, Ar-Ra’d, Ibrahim, Taha, Al-Hajj, An-Nur, An-Naml, Al-Ankabut, Ar-Rum, Ash-Shu’ara, As-Sajdah, Az-Zumar, Al-Mu’min, and Al-Ikhlas, and according to the author, this practice resolved many of his problems well into his old age.
* The Prophetic Prescription for Sufficiency in the Affairs of This World and the Hereafter
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that by reciting this phrase seven times, Allah Almighty suffices for every matter, whether worldly or of the Hereafter.
حَسْبِيَ اللهُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ
Reference: [Surah At-Talaq: 3] and [Surah At-Tawbah: 129]
* The Best Practice for Resolving Difficulties
It is narrated from Hazrat Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, used to recite this prayer at times of difficulty.
اَللّٰهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَ إِلَّا مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلًا وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزَنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلًا
* A Prayer to Be Recited Immediately in Times of Calamity or Accident
It is narrated from Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said that when you are afflicted by any calamity, recite this, and Allah Almighty will remove every trial.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ
* Four Great Benefits of ‘La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah’
This phrase is one of the treasures of Paradise. By reciting it, a servant gains the ability (tawfiq) to adopt righteous deeds and avoid sins; when a servant recites this phrase, Allah Almighty says to the angels upon the Throne that My servant has abandoned rebellion and turned back to Me, and this phrase is a cure for every kind of worldly and otherworldly illness. On the Night of Ascension (Mi’raj), when the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, passed by Hazrat Ibrahim, peace be upon him, he said that the Prophet should instruct his Ummah that, in order to plant gardens in Paradise, they should recite this very phrase.
Reference: Mirqat Sharif, Mishkat Sharif
* Prayer for Deliverance from Hardship and Grief
It is narrated from Hazrat Sa’d, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said that whenever any Muslim makes the prayer of Hazrat Yunus (Jonah), peace be upon him, known as the prayer of “Dhu’l-Nun,” which he made in the belly of the fish, Allah accepts his prayer.
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
* The Prayer that Turns Grief into Joy
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, that whenever a servant, afflicted with grief and worry, recites these words, Allah Almighty will certainly remove his worry and turn his grief into joy.
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ وَابْنُ عَبْدِكَ وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي وَنُورَ صَدْرِي وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي
* A Prayer for Deliverance from Every Kind of Distress
It is related from well-known saints that whoever recites this prayer three times, Allah Almighty delivers him from every kind of distress.
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ
* The Prayer for Times of Helplessness and Distress
This is the same prayer that Hazrat Musa (Moses), peace be upon him, made upon reaching Madyan after escaping the tyranny of Pharaoh, despite having no means or resources, and it was through the blessing of this very prayer that he met Hazrat Shu’ayb, peace be upon him, which brought a pleasant turn to his life.
رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
Reference: [Surah Al-Qasas: 24]
* A Prayer to Recite in Severe Calamity
Hazrat Abu Muslimah Ubaydullah relates that a man, afflicted with severe calamity, would make this prayer at night while keeping his purpose/need in mind, and Allah Almighty fulfilled all his needs.
يَا سَامِعَ كُلِّ صَوْتٍ وَيَا بَارِئَ النُّفُوسِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَيَا مَنْ لَا تُغَشِّيهِ الظُّلُمَاتُ وَيَا مَنْ لَا يَشْغَلُهُ شَيْءٌ عَنْ شَيْءٍ
Reference: Al-Faraj Ba’d al-Shiddah
The Correct Mindset: Trust in Allah (Tawakkul) Is Also Necessary Alongside These Practices
It is important to understand that these practices (wazaif) and prayers are not mere repetition of words, but should be recited with certainty of heart and trust in Allah (tawakkul). The Sunnah of the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, teaches that worship, patience, and prayer must go hand in hand — only then is true blessing felt in both sustenance and hardships. A detailed article on this very subject, titled ‘What Is Tawakkul,’ is available on our site, by reading which you can understand the concern for sustenance from the correct Islamic point of view.
Remember: the purpose of these prayers is not merely to ask, but also to keep one’s heart content with Allah’s pleasure. Both a decrease and an increase in sustenance are part of Allah’s wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the simplest and most effective practice for abundance in sustenance?
Reciting “Allahumma inni as’aluka ‘ilman nafi’an wa rizqan tayyiban wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan” daily after Fajr is the simplest and most Sunnah-based practice, which can be made into a daily habit.
Question: Which is the most tried-and-tested prayer for the repayment of debt?
“Allahumma akfini bi halalika ‘an haramika” and “Qul Allahumma Malika’l-Mulk” — both these prayers have been particularly described as tried-and-tested for the repayment of debt.
Question: What should one recite in times of hardship and distress?
“La hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi’l-‘aliyyi’l-‘azim” and “Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum bi rahmatika astaghith” — both these phrases are a source of peace and help in every kind of distress.
Question: Does reciting prayers alone increase one’s sustenance?
Prayer is a means; the outcome depends on Allah’s will. That is why, alongside these practices, it is also necessary to adopt lawful means of earning, to be patient, and to have trust in Allah (tawakkul).
Reference / Source
This informational and spiritual article is taken from the well-known work “Bihar-e-Saifiyyah,” Volume Three, by Hazrat Sarkar Pir Abu Nu’man Rizvi Saifi Sahib, may his blessings continue.
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