The Prophet ﷺ taught us this. When you see someone facing trouble, say:
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِي مِمَّا ابْتَلَاكَ بِهِ، وَفَضَّلَنِي عَلَى كَثِيرٍ مِمَّنْ خَلَقَ تَفْضِيلًا
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee 'aafaanee mimmab-talaaka bihi wa fadhdhalanee 'alaa katheerin mimman khalaqa tafdheela
Translation
Praise is to Allah Who has spared me what He has afflicted you with, and preferred me greatly above much of what He has created.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ السِّمْنَانِيُّ، وَغَيْرُ، وَاحِدٍ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا مُطَرِّفُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْمَدَنِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ الْعُمَرِيُّ، عَنْ سُهَيْلِ بْنِ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ رَأَى مُبْتَلًى فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِي مِمَّا ابْتَلاَكَ بِهِ وَفَضَّلَنِي عَلَى كَثِيرٍ مِمَّنْ خَلَقَ تَفْضِيلاً لَمْ يُصِبْهُ ذَلِكَ الْبَلاَءُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ .
Translation
Abu Hurairah narrated that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever sees an afflicted person then says: ‘All praise is due to Allah who saved me from that which He has afflicted you with, and blessed me greatly over many of those whom He has created, (Al-ḥamdulillāhi alladhī `āfānī mimmabtalāka bihī wa faḍḍalanī `alā kathīrin mimman khalaqa tafḍīla)’ he shall not be struck by that affliction.” [Sahih (Albani). Tirmidhi: 3432]
When hard times come, this dua teaches patience. It helps Muslims stay calm during musibah and trust Allah's plan while waiting for better days.
Big troubles? Say Allahu Allahu Rabbi la sharika lah. This helps when you're worried, sick, or upset. Allah gives help and makes things better.
Hard times call for Allahumma innee a'uzubika min alhammi wal huzni… It asks Allah to remove fear, sadness, tiredness, debt, and feeling stuck.
When someone has a problem, say Alhamdulillahi alladhi 'afani mimma abtalaka bihi wa faddalani 'ala kathirin mimman khalaqa tafdila. It keeps you safe from that same problem.
Say Hasbiya Allahu la ilaha illa huwa 'alayhi tawakkaltu wa huwa rabbul 'arshil 'azim. Good for tough times. It means Allah is enough - trust Him and say thank you.
Hard things clean sins and bring you closer to Allah. You get good deeds, learn patience, and remember Allah's many blessings.