What dua do I say when leaving the house?
Yes, say "Bismillah, tawakkaltu 'ala Allah, la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah." It means "In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah; there is no might and no power but in Allah." The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever says it when going out is guided, defended and protected. It takes about five seconds at the front door.
The dua and its promise
Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: when a man goes out of his house and says "In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah; there is no might and no power but in Allah," it is said to him: "You are guided, defended and protected." The devils go far from him (Sunan Abi Dawud 5095).
The dua has three parts, and each one is worth understanding:
- Bismillah: you start your outing in Allah's name.
- Tawakkaltu 'ala Allah: you hand over whatever happens today, the commute, the meeting, the exam, to Allah.
- La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah: you admit you have no strength of your own except through Him.
A second dua for going out
Umm Salamah reported that the Prophet ﷺ never left her house without raising his eyes to the sky and saying: "O Allah! I seek refuge in Thee lest I stray or be led astray, or slip or made to slip, or cause injustice, or suffer injustice, or do wrong, or have wrong done to me" (Sunan Abi Dawud 5094).
It's a beautiful dua for anyone heading into a stressful day at work or school. It's a little longer, so read the Arabic from a dua app or "Fortress of the Muslim" (Hisn al-Muslim) until you know it. Saying the meaning in English while you learn is fine too. See What dua can I say when I feel anxious?
And when you come back home
Mentioning Allah's name when entering the house matters too. The Prophet ﷺ said that when a person mentions Allah's name on entering his house and while eating, Satan says there's no place to spend the night and no evening meal for him there (Sahih Muslim 2018). So say "Bismillah" as you walk in, and greet whoever is home with "As-salamu alaykum." See What dua do I say before eating?
If you forget
Forgetting isn't a sin. Say it once you remember, on the stairs, in the car or at the bus stop. Over time it becomes as automatic as checking for your keys. See What do I say if I forget to say bismillah before eating?
- Leaving: "Bismillah, tawakkaltu 'ala Allah, la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah."
- Whoever says it is guided, defended and protected.
- A second dua asks for protection from going astray or doing wrong.
- Say "Bismillah" when you come back in.
People also ask
What dua do I say when I move into a new home?
It depends: there's no single new home dua, but sunnah words fit. Say A'udhu bi kalimatillahit-tammati, Bismillah, and recite al-Baqarah.
Read the full answer →What does "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" mean?
Yes, it means "There is no might and no power except with Allah." The Prophet called it a treasure of Paradise; say it when overwhelmed.
Read the full answer →What do I say if I forget to say bismillah before eating?
Yes, say "Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirihi" as soon as you remember. Forgetting isn't a sin, and you can still finish your meal.
Read the full answer →What dua do I say before eating?
Yes, just say "Bismillah" before eating or drinking, and "Alhamdulillah" when you finish. The longer Bismillah is fine too.
Read the full answer →What should I say when I wake up?
Yes, say "Alhamdulillahil-ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilaihin-nushur." Then make wudu and pray to start the day well.
Read the full answer →