Seeking Divine Protection: The Dua For Leaving The House
Dua For Leaving Home | Every day, we embark on various journeys outside our homes. It might be for work, Qur’an study circles, errands, or social visits. We open our doors, step out, and merge with the rest of the world. This simple act of leaving our homes is such an ordinary part of our lives that we often forget the profound spiritual connections woven into it, all rooted in the infinite mercy and guidance of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.
Dua for Leaving Home 1
In the narration of Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said : When a man leaves his house and says: In the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah, and there is no might and no power but in Allah. It is said then: You have received guidance, sufficiency and your protection is guaranteed, and the devils steer clear from him, Then another devil says: How can you deal with a man who has been guided, given sufficiency and protected?” This hadith was reported by Abu Dawood in Sunan, and authenticated by Al-Albani.
The dua that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us to recite when leaving our homes is:
بِسْمِ اللهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِالله
“Transliteration”: Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘ala Allah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa-billah.
“Translation”: In the Name of Allah, I have placed my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah.
Dua for Leaving Home 2
Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: The Prophet (pbuh) never left my house without raising his eyes to the sky and said: O Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I misguide others, or I be misguided by others, lest I slip (make a mistake) or I am made to slip by others, lest I oppress others or I be oppressed, lest I behave foolishly or others behave foolishly towards me. Here is the dua:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِلَّ أَوْ أُضَلَّ، أَوْ أَزِلَّ أَوْ أُزَلَّ، أَوْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ، أَوْ أَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَي
“Transliteration”: Allahumma inni a’udhu bika an adilla aw udalla, aw azilla aw uzalla, aw azlima aw uzhlima, aw ajhala aw yujhala ‘alay
“Translation”: O Allah, I take refuge with You lest I should stray or be led astray, or slip or be tripped, or oppress or be oppressed, or behave foolishly or be treated foolishly[ref]
This dua specifically seeks Allah’s protection against various emergencies and adverse situations we might encounter as we step into the world.
Importance of Dua for leaving the house
Cultivating the habit of reciting this dua every time we leave our homes is a way of maintaining our connection to God. This simple act helps us to stay humble and aware of our consistent dependence on Allah’s mercy. It’s a beautiful feeling – knowing that every journey we embark upon is led with Allah as our Protector.
Let this dua become an integral part of our daily routine. May it fill our hearts with peace, knowing that we are guided, protected, and loved by Allah. And each time we step outside, may this dua for leaving the house serve as both a protective shield and a loving reminder of Allah’s grace upon us.
Duʿāʾs When Leaving the House (By Destination or Purpose)
General Duʿāʾ When Leaving the House
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
Transliteration: Bismillāh, tawakkaltu ʿalā Allāh, wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāh
Translation: In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no power nor strength except with Allah.
Context: This is the foundational duʿāʾ for leaving the home under any circumstance. It brings protection, sufficiency, and guidance through the day.
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd (ḥadīth 5095), authenticated by Al-Albānī.
When Going to the Masjid
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ فِي قَلْبِي نُورًا، وَفِي لِسَانِي نُورًا، وَفِي سَمْعِي نُورًا، وَفِي بَصَرِي نُورًا، وَاجْعَلْ مِنْ خَلْفِي نُورًا، وَمِنْ أَمَامِي نُورًا، وَمِنْ فَوْقِي نُورًا، وَمِنْ تَحْتِي نُورًا، اللَّهُمَّ أَعْطِنِي نُورًا
Transliteration: Allāhumma ajʿal fī qalbī nūran, wa fī lisānī nūran, wa fī samʿī nūran, wa fī baṣarī nūran, wajʿal min khalfī nūran, wa min amāmī nūran, wa min fawqī nūran, wa min taḥtī nūran, Allāhumma aʿṭinī nūran
Translation: O Allah, place light in my heart, light on my tongue, light in my hearing, light in my sight. Place light behind me, in front of me, above me, and beneath me. O Allah, grant me light.
Context: Recited when heading to the masjid, particularly for Fajr prayer. It is a supplication for spiritual illumination.
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (ḥadīth 763)
When Going to Seek Knowledge
اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي، وَعَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي، وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا
Transliteration: Allāhumma infaʿnī bimā ʿallamtanī, wa ʿallimnī mā yanfaʿunī, wa zidnī ʿilmā
Translation: O Allah, benefit me with what You have taught me, teach me what will benefit me, and increase me in knowledge.
Context: Ideal before going to a Qur’an class, Islamic lecture, or any educational setting.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī (ḥadīth 3599), graded ḥasan.
When Visiting Family, Friends, or the Sick
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِفْتَاحًا لِلْخَيْرِ، مِغْلَاقًا لِلشَّرِّ
Transliteration: Allāhumma ajʿalnī miftāḥan lil-khayr, mighlāqan lil-sharr
Translation: O Allah, make me a key for goodness and a lock against evil.
Context: To be recited when visiting others, especially with the intention of bringing benefit, kindness, or comfort.
Source: Al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr of Ṭabarānī, authenticated by Al-Albānī.
When Leaving for Work or to Seek Provision
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ
Transliteration: Allāhumma innī asʾaluka min faḍlika
Translation: O Allah, I ask You from Your bounty.
Context: The Prophet ﷺ recited this when going to the marketplace. It serves as a reminder that all sustenance is from Allah.
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd (ḥadīth 1557)
When Going to Meet or Engage with People
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِلَّ أَوْ أُضَلَّ، أَوْ أَزِلَّ أَوْ أُزَلَّ، أَوْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ، أَوْ أَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَيَّ
Transliteration: Allāhumma innī aʿūdhu bika an aḍilla aw uḍalla, aw azilla aw uzalla, aw aẓlima aw uẓlama, aw ajhala aw yujhala ʿalayya
Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I go astray or be led astray, slip or be tripped, wrong or be wronged, behave foolishly or have foolishness directed against me.
Context: Useful before meetings, interviews, or public engagements. A powerful reminder of humility and divine guidance.
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd (ḥadīth 5094), graded ḥasan.
Duʿāʾ Before Entering a Marketplace (While Travelling or Locally)
D) Duʿāʾ Before Entering a Marketplace (While Travelling or Locally)
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ، وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ، بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ، وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Transliteration:
Lā ilāha illā Allāh, waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-ḥamdu, yuḥyī wa yumītu, wa huwa ḥayy lā yamūt, biyadihi al-khayr, wa huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr.
Translation:
There is no god but Allah, alone without any partner. To Him belongs the dominion and all praise. He gives life and causes death, and He is Ever-Living and does not die. In His hand is all good, and He has power over all things.
Context:
To be recited when entering a marketplace, mall, or shopping center, even during travel. It brings immense reward and spiritual protection.
Source:
Sunan al-Tirmidhī (ḥadīth 3428), authenticated by al-Albānī
Duʿāʾs When Getting into a Vehicle or Setting Out for Travel
A) Duʿāʾ When Mounting a Vehicle or Sitting in a Car, Plane, Etc.
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
Transliteration:
Subḥāna alladhī sakhkhara lanā hādhā wa mā kunnā lahu muqrinīn. Wa innā ilā rabbinā lamunqalibūn.
Translation:
Glory is to the One who has subjected this [transport] to us, and we could not have done it by ourselves. And indeed, to our Lord we will surely return.
Context:
This duʿāʾ is from the Qur’an and was recited by the Prophet ﷺ when mounting a ride—camel, horse, or otherwise. It is highly recommended to say it when entering a car, train, plane, etc.
Source:
Surat al-Zukhruf (43:13–14)
B) Full Sunnah Duaa for Riding and Travelling
After reciting the Qur’anic verse above, the Prophet ﷺ used to say:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هٰذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى، اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هٰذَا، وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ
Transliteration:
Allāhumma innā nasʾaluka fī safarinā hādhā al-birra wa al-taqwā, wa mina al-ʿamali mā tarḍā. Allāhumma hawwin ʿalaynā safaranā hādhā, waṭwi ʿannā buʿdah. Allāhumma anta al-ṣāḥibu fī al-safar, wa al-khalīfatu fī al-ahl. Allāhumma innī aʿūdhu bika min waʿthāʾi al-safar, wa kaʾābati al-manẓar, wa sūʾi al-munqalabi fī al-māli wa al-ahl.
Translation:
O Allah, we ask You in this journey of ours for righteousness and piety, and actions that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance. O Allah, You are the Companion in travel and the Guardian of the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, from having a miserable appearance or scene, and from an ill return in wealth or family.
Context:
This comprehensive duʿāʾ was taught and used by the Prophet ﷺ when starting a journey. It includes requests for ease, piety, safety, and a good return.
Source:
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (ḥadīth 1342)
C) Duʿāʾ Upon Returning From a Journey
آيِبُونَ، تَائِبُونَ، عَابِدُونَ، لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
Transliteration:
Āyibūna, tāʾibūna, ʿābidūna, li-rabbinā ḥāmidūn.
Translation:
We return (home), repentant, worshipping, and praising our Lord.
Context:
To be said upon returning from a journey and re-entering one’s city or home. It’s an expression of gratitude, humility, and renewed commitment to obedience.
Source:
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (ḥadīth 1344)
5. Tasbīḥ and Takbīr While Travelling (During the Journey)
The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions would frequently say:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Transliteration:
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar. Subḥānaka innī ẓalamtu nafsī faghfir lī, fa-innahu lā yaghfiru al-dhunūba illā anta.
Translation:
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. Glory is to You, I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.
Context:
These are the words of praise and repentance used by the Prophet ﷺ during travel, often upon ascending hills or making stops.
Source:
Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd and Musnad Aḥmad (varied chains), authentic by consensus.
May Allah guide us to the best in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen!
