
Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum bi Rahmatika Astagheeth – Arabic, Transliteration, and English Translation
This short but powerful supplication was recited by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and begins with two of Allah’s most beautiful names—Ya Ḥayyu (O Ever-Living) and Ya Qayyūm (O Sustainer of all). These names remind the believer that Allah ﷻ is never absent, never in need, and constantly sustaining every soul, every moment.When Did the Prophet ﷺ Use This Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum bi Rahmatika Astagheeth?
When Should You Recite Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum bi Rahmatika Astagheeth Dua?
Benefits of Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum bi Rahmatika Astagheeth According to Scholars
Many scholars have spoken about the depth and power of this short but beautiful dua—Ya Ḥayyu Ya Qayyūm bi-Raḥmatika Astaghīth. It begins with two of Allah’s most majestic names, Al-Ḥayy (The Ever-Living) and Al-Qayyūm (The Self-Sustaining), which are also mentioned in Ayat al-Kursi. These names are widely believed to be part of Ism al-Aʿẓam—the Greatest Name of Allah—through which prayers are accepted when called upon with sincerity.- Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله beautifully explained that beginning our du’as with these names connects our helplessness to Allah’s eternal strength and mercy. And the words bi-Raḥmatika Astaghīth—“by Your mercy, I seek rescue”—are a clear cry for protection, a form of istijārah that flows from the heart when there’s nowhere else to turn.
- Scholars have also categorized this as a duʿāʾ al-karb—a supplication for distress—and a form of jawāmiʿ al-kalim, meaning few words packed with immense meaning. Saying this dua not only brings comfort—it pulls the heart closer to Allah ﷻ, softens the soul, and reminds us that His mercy is always near.
Related Duas for Help & Mercy
There are other powerful supplications from the Qur’an and Sunnah that carry the same weight and emotion as Ya Ḥayyu Ya Qayyūm bi-Raḥmatika Astaghīth. These duas were recited in moments of fear, grief, and complete surrender—times when the heart has nothing left but hope in Allah ﷻ.FAQs — Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum Bi Rahmatika Astagheeth
Yes, this dua is suitable for ruqyah shariyyah, especially in moments of spiritual distress. Since it calls upon Allah ﷻ using the names Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living) and Al-Qayyum (The Sustainer), it aligns with the core principles of ruqyah—complete dependence on Allah for healing and protection. Scholars have noted that seeking relief (istighāthah) through this dua, especially when accompanied by sincerity and humility, can be beneficial for both emotional trauma and disturbances caused by unseen forces. Its inclusion in personal ruqyah routines is supported by its thematic relevance to divine aid.
Yes, many scholars have considered “Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum” to be among the formulations closely tied to Ism al-Aʿzam — the Greatest Name of Allah ﷻ — due to the profound divine attributes it contains. These two Names appear in powerful Qur’anic verses such as Ayat al-Kursi (2:255) and Surah Al-Imran (3:2), both of which emphasize Allah’s eternal life and complete sustenance of the universe. While the Prophet ﷺ did not explicitly state that “Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum” is the Ism al-Aʿzam, authentic hadiths indicate that calling upon Allah with these Names brings a swift and accepted response, linking it to the qualities of the Greatest Name in effect and spiritual weight.
Yes, “Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, bi Rahmatika astagheeth” can — and should — be included in your daily morning and evening adhkar. It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ began his day with this exact supplication, anchoring his remembrance in Allah’s ever-living presence and sustaining mercy. Including it in your routine not only mirrors the Sunnah but also spiritually equips you for the day ahead, enveloping you in divine protection and calm during both the quiet hours of dawn and the stillness of dusk.
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Mohammed Basheer Orsala is the founder of Sukoonly.com - an Islamic resource dedicated to verified Quranic duas and Sunnah-based supplications. A self-taught Islamic researcher, he has studied classical texts and authenticated hadith collections including the works of Imam al-Nawawi, Shaykh al-Albani, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, and Ibn al-Qayyim. He writes to make verified Prophetic supplications accessible to English-speaking Muslims worldwide.
