Have you ever stepped out of your house feeling uneasy, as if you needed Allah’s protection and blessings? Yes, it happens. In our world full of uncertainties — full of unseen dangers, loss, harms, trials, misery, and temptations. As believers, we need to rely on Allah’s guidance, His protection and seek His blessings before leaving our house by reciting the recommended dua when leaving home.
Islam teaches us to never walk out of our homes without seeking Allah’s refuge. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) provided us with a powerful shield — Dua when leaving home — to ensure that we remain under Allah’s care and protection throughout our journey. These recommended dua from the Sunnah when leaving home serve as a divine safeguard, used for seeking Allah’s help against harm, loss, and the trials of Shaytan.
We are really blessed as Muslims only that we really don’t give time to learn about our deen. Our Prophet (ﷺ) has taught us a lot of things that are even more than enough to live a happy and peaceful life. Reciting this dua when leaving home is an essential practice (sunnah) of our prophet. Aside following this sunnah, it helps us to start our day with the remembrance of Allah, seeking His blessings and protection before leaving home.
In this article, you are going to learn the highly recommended dua when leaving home that every Muslim should recite when stepping out of their home to be under the care of the Almighty Allah and His guidance. The recommended dua when leaving home goes as follows:
First Dua When Leaving Home: Relying on Allah’s Protection
One of the most powerful and recommended dua from the Sunnah when leaving home is this one that instills complete trust in Allah’s divine protection
Arabic Text of Dua When Leaving Home:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
Transliteration of Dua When Leaving Home:
Bismillahi, tawakkaltu ‘alallahi, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
Meaning:
“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no power nor strength except with Allah.”
Sunan Abi Dawud, 5095
The Power and Benefits of This Dua
Reciting this Dua when leaving home ensures that you step out with the protection of Allah, declaring your total reliance on Him and acknowledging that all power belongs to Him alone. This means that you believe that He is sufficient for you and that you entrust your affairs to His care. Key benefits of this dua include:
1. Protection from Shaytan, Evil, and Harm
When you say this dua when leaving home, you are placing your entire journey under Allah’s care. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever says: ‘Bismillahi, tawakkaltu ‘alallahi, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah’ when leaving his home, it will be said to him: ‘You are guided, defended and protected.” The devils will go far from him and another devil will say: How can you deal with a man who has been guided, defended and protected?”
(Abu Dawood 5095)
Imagine walking out of your home every day with this divine assurance: guidance, protection, and defense against all harm. No matter what challenges you face, you remain under Allah’s safeguarding. Don’t forget to miss this dua when leaving home.
2. Strengthens Your Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)
Tawakkul is a core part of true faith. It means completely relying on Allah while taking the necessary means. This dua reinforces that our strength, success, and safety do not come from our efforts alone, but from Allah’s will. As Allah says in the Quran:
“…And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.” (Surah At-Talaq 65:3)
Reciting this dua when leaving home also builds an unshakable faith in you that no matter what awaits outside, Allah’s protection is greater than any challenge.
3. Shields You from Anxiety and Fear
Many people step out of their homes with worries about their safety, work, or personal challenges. This dua reminds the heart that Allah is in control, reducing stress and bringing a sense of peace and confidence in you. Therefore.
Second Powerful Dua When Leaving Home
This is the second powerful dua from the Sunnah when leaving home that is recommended we should recite always. It is a dua for seeking Allah’s protection from misguidance, oppression, and ignorance.
Arabic Text of Dua When Leaving Home:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِلَّ أَوْ أُضَلَّ، أَوْ أَزِلَّ أَوْ أُزَلَّ، أَوْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ، أَوْ أَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَيَّ
Transliteration of Dua When Leaving Home:
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika an adilla aw udalla, aw azilla aw uzalla, aw azlima aw uzlama, aw ajhala aw yujhala ‘alayya.
Meaning of the dua:
“O Allah, I seek refuge with You from leading others astray or being led astray, from slipping or causing others to slip, from wronging others or being wronged, and from acting ignorantly or being treated ignorantly.”
(Riyad as-Salihin, 82)
Why is this Dua so important to say before leaving home?
When we step outside, we expose ourselves to various influences —both good and bad. This dua which our Prophet (ﷺ) taught us is a powerful shield against all forms of harm we may encounter outside. “We are looking for what to eat, may we not encounter what will eat us” This is a Yoruba proverb and this dua is the perfect one that fits in. The benefits of saying this dua when leaving home include:
1. Protection from Misguidance
In a world full of distractions, different ideologies from different people, and temptations, there is always a risk of being led astray or unintentionally influencing others toward falsehood. By reciting this dua when leaving home, you are asking Allah to keep you firm on the truth and to protect you from misleading anyone.
2. Safety from Slipping into Sin or Danger
The words “aw azilla aw uzalla” in the dua specifically is for asking Allah to prevent you from falling into sin, harm, or mistakes—whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. Physical slips may include accidents, unforeseen dangers, or harm that could happen outside while spiritual slips can be engaging in activities that weaken faith, such as gossip, dishonesty, or neglecting obligations.
By saying this dua, you entrust your affairs to Allah’s guidance.
3. Protection from Oppression and Injustice
Many people suffer from being wronged in business, relationships, or daily interactions. The words “aw azlima aw uzlama” in this supplication is for asking Allah to protect you from being unjust to others or becoming a victim of injustice. The Prophet (ﷺ) warned us about the danger of oppression to know how severe its punishment is.
“Beware of oppression, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Judgment.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 2447)
By reciting this dua, you ask Allah to shield you from harming others unjustly and from being harmed by someone else’s wrongdoing.
4. Protection from Ignorance and Foolishness
The phrase “aw ajhala aw yujhala ‘alayya” is for seeking Allah’s refuge from acting ignorantly or dealing with ignorant behavior from others. This includes losing patience, engaging in arguments, or making decisions without wisdom. It also protects you from encountering people who act foolishly or treat you disrespectfully. This goes along with the description of the good servant of Allah in suratul Furqan:
“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.”
(Surah Al-Furqan 25:63)
By making this dua, you ask Allah to help you remain calm, wise, and composed, even when dealing with difficult people.
How to Implement These Dua in Your Daily Life
- Make it a habit to pause at your doorstep or gate and say these duas before stepping out.
- Teach your family, and encourage your spouse and children to memorize it.
- Don’t just recite it. Reflect on Its Meaning and message and trust that Allah will guide your steps and affairs.
- Combine it with other recommended sunnah like saying your daily morning adkhar after solatul Fajr
As we navigate through our daily lives, the dua when leaving home serves as a reminder that we are under the care of the Almighty, providing us with a sense of security and peace.
Let us make these duas a daily routine before leaving home. Let us strive to revive this Sunnah, teach our families and remind ourselves of their importance. Let us make these recommended dua from the Sunnah when leaving home a part of our daily lives, don’t just utter the words only but have a reflection of total and sincere reliance on Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). In Allah’s protection, we can find true peace and success in our endeavors.
We ask Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to accept our supplications, guide us on the straight path, protect us from all harm, and bless us with His infinite mercy. Aameen.
