بِسْمِ اللهِ، وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ نُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْئًا نَعْلَمُهُ، وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا نَعْلَمُهُ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ نَضِلَّ أَوْ نُضَلَّ، أَوْ نَزِلَّ أَوْ نُزَلَّ، أَوْ نَظْلِمَ أَوْ نُظْلَمَ، أَوْ نَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَيْنَا.
In the name of Allah, and I rely on Allah. O Allah, we seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly, and we seek Your forgiveness for what we know not. O Allah, we seek refuge in You from going astray or being led astray, from slipping or causing others to slip, from wronging others or being wronged, and from acting foolishly or having others act foolishly towards us.
Bismillahi, wa tawakkaltu 'alallahi. Allahumma inna na'udhu bika min an nushrika bika shay'an na'lamuh, wa nastaghfiruka limaa laa na'lamuh. Allahumma inna na'udhu bika an nadilla aw nudalla, aw nazilla aw nuzalla, aw nazhlima aw nudhlama, aw najhala aw yujhala 'alayna.
When to Read
This powerful dua is recited by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ before embarking on any significant undertaking, including the commencement of consultations, meetings, or councils. It's an excellent way to begin any gathering where important decisions are to be made or discussions are to take place, seeking Allah's protection and guidance.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a clear intention before the start of your council or consultation. Understand each phrase: acknowledging Allah's name and relying on Him, seeking refuge from Shirk (associating partners with Allah), asking forgiveness for our shortcomings, and seeking protection from going astray, causing others to go astray, making mistakes, or being wronged. It's a comprehensive request for divine safeguarding in matters of importance.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua before a council or consultation invites Allah's blessings and protection upon the proceedings. It sets a righteous tone, ensuring that the gathering is conducted with awareness of Allah, seeking to avoid all forms of error, wrongdoing, and misguidance. By seeking refuge in Allah from Shirk and asking for forgiveness, we purify our intentions and actions. This dua is a shield against negative outcomes, ensuring that the discussion leads to good and is free from harm, injustice, or ignorance, by the permission of Allah.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say when he went out for Salat al-Istikhara (the prayer of seeking guidance): 'Allahumma inni as-aluka khayraka wa barakatahu wa hudaaka, wa a'udhu bika min sharrihi wa sharri ma huwa lahu.' (O Allah, I ask You for its goodness, its blessings, its guidance, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what it entails.) The scholars have also mentioned similar supplications for the start of gatherings and important matters. One such comprehensive dua is what is mentioned in Sunan Abi Dawud, where the Prophet ﷺ would say before he slept or when he began anything: 'Bismillahi, wa tawakkaltu 'alallahi. Allahumma inna na'udhu bika min an nushrika bika shay'an na'lamuh, wa nastaghfiruka limaa laa na'lamuh. Allahumma inna na'udhu bika an nadilla aw nudalla, aw nazilla aw nuzalla, aw nazhlima aw nudhlama, aw najhala aw yujhala 'alayna.' This formulation specifically covers seeking protection in various aspects relevant to any undertaking, including consultations.