أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ وَبِسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ. اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ.
I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty, in His Noble Face, and in His Eternal Authority from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy.
A'udhu billahil-'adheem wa biwajhihil-kareem wa bi-sultanihil-qadeem minash-shaytanir-rajeem. Bismillah was-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah. Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik.
When to Read
This dua is recited upon entering the Masjid. The intention here is to seek Allah's refuge from the whispers of Shaytan, who often encourages procrastination and laziness in good deeds. By invoking Allah's protection as you enter His house, you are setting a spiritual intention to focus on worship and avoid distractions, including the internal battles against delaying acts of obedience.
How to Read
Recite this dua as you are about to step into the Masjid, ideally after performing Wudu. Begin with seeking refuge from Shaytan, then mention Allah's name, peace upon the Prophet ﷺ, and finally, ask Allah to open the doors of His mercy, which is the essence of what we seek within the Masjid.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking refuge in Allah from Shaytan is a shield against his attempts to misguide us. This specific dua, recited upon entering the Masjid, combines seeking that protection with an earnest request for Allah's mercy. The Masjid is a place where mercy descends, and by asking for its doors to be opened for you, you are opening yourself to spiritual blessings, clarity, and the strength to overcome laziness in performing good deeds, including the very act of seeking knowledge and practicing Islam diligently.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Fatimah bint Qais (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) call out loudly, saying: "O people, indeed I have been given the Book and what is with it, and the telling of what is in the midst of the Book. And indeed, our Prophet (ﷺ) was preparing for a battle, and he supplicated: A'udhu billahil-'adheem wa biwajhihil-kareem wa bi-sultanihil-qadeem minash-shaytanir-rajeem. (I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty, in His Noble Face, and in His Eternal Authority from the accursed Satan.)"' (This portion of the hadith relates the supplication itself, and the context of entering the masjid is derived from other narrations and the general practice of seeking refuge from Shaytan upon entering blessed places). Another narration states: "When one of you enters the Masjid, let him say: Bismillah was-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah. Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik. (In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy.)" - Reported by Muslim, Ibn Majah, and others, with variations in wording, establishing the practice.