Title: Dua for Times of Distress Question: I understand and appreciate the power of dua. Other than that, could you please advise of Prophet's (sws) duas for the times of distress and need other than salaat al haajah. Moreover, according to hadith , what is the fazeelah of reciting ayat ul kursi ? A detailed answer would be highly appreciated Thanks, Ayesha Pakistan Answer: Prayer is indeed a shield of the believers. Whenever in distress or pain, they invoke the mercy of the Almighty to seek His shelter. There are many prayers that can be advised for you to recite whenever you chance to be in distress or in need of help of the Almighty. Two prayers that I would like you to read are from the Holy Qur'an, namely the Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nass . In addition, the following supplications and reminders may also be benefited from: حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا Allah is sufficient for us. He is the best disposer of affairs. In Allah (only) we repose trust. (Sunnan Tirmidhi, No. 3355) إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ اللَّهُمَّ أْجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيبَتِي وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْرًا We belong to Allah and to Him shall we return; O Allah reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in exchange for it. (Sahih Muslim, No. 1565) Anyone who recites Ayatul Kursi while pondering over its meaning will be awarded ten recompenses for each word recited, as has been told by the Prophet (pbuh) about all parts of the Qur'an. Jhangeer Hanif May 30, 2003