“Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum bi Rahmatika Astagheeth” is a short but deeply meaningful supplication passed down from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He would say it during the stillness of Qiyam-ul-Lail, calling on two of Allah’s greatest names—Al-Hayy, the Ever-Living, and Al-Qayyum, the Sustainer of all. These names remind us of Allah’s eternal presence and His complete care over every part of creation.
The second part of the dua—“bi Rahmatika Astagheeth”—means “by Your mercy, I seek help.” It’s a cry from the heart, made when we feel overwhelmed, lost, or in need of divine support. This simple phrase captures everything a believer feels in moments of weakness: humility, surrender, and full trust in Allah’s mercy. It’s part of what scholars call jawami’ al-kalim—short words with wide meanings. And in times of hardship, this dua becomes a lifeline—a sacred call for relief from the One whose mercy knows no limits.
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.
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ، بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ Transliteration: Yā Ḥayyu Yā Qayyūm, bi-Raḥmatika Astaghīth English Meaning: “O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, I seek Your help through Your Mercy.”
The final words—bi Rahmatika Astaghīth—are a heartfelt cry, made when a person feels overwhelmed and helpless. It means: “I seek Your rescue by means of Your mercy.” This type of du’a is known in Islam as du‘āʾ al-istighātha—a plea made when one is urgently seeking divine help. Its few words carry deep emotion and sincere tawakkul (trust) in Allah. In moments of fear or sadness, this simple phrase becomes a lifeline from the heart to the heavens.
When Did the Prophet ﷺ Use This Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum bi Rahmatika Astagheeth?
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say Ya Ḥayyu Ya Qayyūm bi-Raḥmatika Astaghīth during his night prayers—specifically while in sujood, when his heart was closest to Allah ﷻ. This beautiful moment is captured in a narration found in Sunan al-Tirmidhi and graded ḥasan (sound) by Shaykh Al-Albani, making it one of the authentic supplications we can rely on. Some scholars also mention that this dua was part of the duʿāʾ al-istiftāḥ, the opening words of tahajjud. In these quiet hours, when everything is still, the Prophet ﷺ began his prayer by calling on Allah’s Eternal Names—The Ever-Living, The Sustainer—and asking for mercy. That alone tells us how deeply meaningful this phrase is. It wasn’t just a habit—it was a reflection of faqr ilā Allah, a total expression of need and trust. For anyone praying in pain, silence, or solitude, this dua stands as a reminder: even the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sought comfort through these very words.
When Should You Recite Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum bi Rahmatika Astagheeth Dua?
This beautiful dua—Ya Ḥayyu Ya Qayyūm bi-Raḥmatika Astaghīth—is one to turn to when you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained. It’s a call from the heart, asking for relief from the One who never dies, who sustains everything, and whose mercy knows no limits. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used this supplication during the deep night prayer—Qiyām al-Layl—while in sujood, the most intimate position of closeness to Allah ﷻ. Scholars have advised reciting it during tahajjud, after the five daily prayers, or even when waking up anxious or afraid. It’s not tied to a fixed moment—it’s meant for any time your heart feels heavy and you need to cry out for help. This dua carries faqr ilā Allah—a quiet admission that we can’t carry our burdens alone—and tawakkul, that deep trust that Allah’s mercy is enough. Whether whispered in sujood, during tears at night, or in the middle of a difficult day, this dua becomes a lifeline for the soul.
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.
1. Ḥasbiyallāhu lā ilāha illā Huwa ʿalayhi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabb al-ʿArsh al-ʿAẓīm “Allah is sufficient for me; there is no deity but Him. I place my trust in Him, Lord of the Mighty Throne.” A declaration of trust often said when facing danger or fear—when you remind yourself that Allah is enough. 2. Lā ilāha illā Anta Subḥānaka innī kuntu min aẓ-ẓālimīn “There is no deity but You. Glory be to You. Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers.” The heartfelt cry of Prophet Yunus عليه السلام when he was swallowed by the whale. It’s a dua of regret, surrender, and complete hope in Allah’s rescue—perfect when you feel trapped or broken. 3. Allāhumma raḥmataka arjū, fa-lā takilnī ilā nafsī ṭarfata ʿayn “O Allah, I seek Your mercy. Do not leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye.” A gentle, deeply personal plea when you feel weak, alone, or unsure what to say—asking Allah never to abandon you, even for a moment.
Each of these du’as shares the same spirit as bi-Raḥmatika Astaghīth—turning to Allah when no one else can help, trusting His mercy, and whispering your pain in a way only He can understand.
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.
Mohammed Basheer is the founder of Sukoonly.com, an Islamic blog focused on duas, prophetic healing, and Qur’anic wisdom. He writes with sincerity and spiritual depth for seekers around the world.