Every Da'ee eventually feels it: exhaustion, frustration, or the sense that no matter how much effort you put in, people still don’t listen.

The Prophets - the best humans to ever live - felt this too. Not only did they face rejection, mockery, threats, and emotional pain, Allah Himself acknowledges their struggle in the Qur’an.

This blog explores how the Prophets responded, and what Allah teaches us about overcoming these feelings with grace, strength, and sincerity.

1. The Prophet ﷺ Was Comforted by Allah During Deep Sadness

The Prophet ﷺ experienced heartbreak when people rejected the message.

Allah said to him: “Perhaps you will kill yourself in grief because they do not become believers.”

(Qur’an 26:3)

And:

“Do not grieve over them.” (Qur’an 16:127)

Allah comforts him repeatedly, showing that grief in Da’wah is normal, even for the Messenger ﷺ.

How he dealt with it:

 • He increased in dua, especially at night.

 • He relied on Allah’s reassurance that guidance is His alone:

“You do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills.” (Qur’an 28:56)

This teaches us that our job is effort. Guidance is Allah’s job.

2. Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him): 950 Years of Rejection - Still Consistent

Nuh (peace be upon him) faced rejection for centuries.

Allah says:

“He said: My Lord, I invited my people night and day, but my invitation only increased them in aversion.” (Qur’an 71:5–6)

And:

“Every time I invited them… they put their fingers in their ears, covered themselves with their garments, persisted, and were arrogant.” (Qur’an 71:7)

Despite this, Nuh (peace be upon him):

 • called day and night

 • used public and private methods (Qur’an 71:8–9)

 • maintained patience and sincerity throughout 950 years (Qur’an 29:14)

Lesson: Rejection doesn’t define your success. Faithful consistency does.

3. Prophet Musa (peace be upon him): Fear, Exhaustion, and Standing Firm

Musa (peace be upon him) felt fear, stress, and pressure.

Allah says:

“So he felt fear within himself.” (Qur’an 20:67)

And when he was overwhelmed, he made this powerful dua:

“My Lord, expand my chest, ease my task, and remove the knot from my tongue.”

(Qur’an 20:25–27)

When dealing with rejection and hostility from Pharaoh and his people, Musa (peace be upon him) was taught:

“Do not fear; indeed, I am with you both. I hear and I see.” (Qur’an 20:46)

Lesson:

When Da’wah weighs on your heart, make the dua of Musa (peace be upon him) and remind yourself that Allah sees and hears everything.

4. Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him): Calmness in the Face of Aggression

Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was rejected by:

 • his father

 • his community

 • his nation

Yet he responded with calm, clarity, and compassion:

“Peace be upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you.” (Qur’an 19:47)

When they tried to burn him alive, he didn’t lose hope or fall into despair.

He said:

“Allah is enough for me, and He is the Best Disposer of Affairs.” (Bukhari)

Lesson: Even when facing extreme hostility, Prophetic patience never turns bitter.

5. Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him): When the Da'ee Reaches Breaking Point

Yunus (peace be upon him) reached a moment of burnout and left his people before Allah permitted.

Allah tells us:

“He departed in anger, thinking We would not decree anything upon him.” (Qur’an 21:87)

But in the belly of the whale, he made the greatest dua for those suffocating spiritually:

“There is no deity except You. Glory be to You. Indeed, I was from the wrongdoers.”

(Qur’an 21:87)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“No one calls upon Allah with the dua of Yunus except that Allah will answer him.”

(Tirmidhi – Sahih)

Lesson: When you feel like giving up - stop, reflect, and return with humility. Allah raises you through that.

6. The Prophet ﷺ Was Taught How to Handle Burnout

Allah told him: “So be patient, as the Messengers of strong resolve were patient.” (Qur’an 46:35)

And also:

“And your Lord will give you, and you will be satisfied.” (Qur’an 93:5)

Surah Ad-Duha itself was revealed to heal the Prophet ﷺ after intense emotional difficulty.

Practical Prophetic methods for coping:

 • Dhikr when overwhelmed

“His heart finds rest in the remembrance of Allah.” (Qur’an 13:28)

 • Night prayer for strength

Allah commanded him: “Stand at night except a little.” (Qur’an 73:2)

 • Taking physical rest

The Prophet ﷺ balanced Da’wah with rest, sleep, and family (Bukhari & Muslim)

 • Not forcing results

Allah told him: “Your duty is only to convey.” (Qur’an 3:20)

Every Prophet experienced:

 • rejection

 • frustration

 • heartbreak

 • exhaustion

 • moments of emotional heaviness

And Allah never condemned them for feeling this.

Instead, He comforted them, strengthened them, and gave us their stories so that you - the Da'ee - could find peace and motivation.

If the Prophets felt burnout, and Allah lifted them - then you too can turn exhaustion into elevation.

Your job is not to convert hearts. Your job is to convey with sincerity, and trust Allah with the results.

May Allah make you patient like Nuh, courageous like Musa, calm like Ibrahim, humble like Yunus, and resilient like Muhammad ﷺ.