بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ أَهْلِهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا فِيهَا، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ أَهْلِهَا وَشَرِّ مَا فِيهَا
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. O Allah, I ask You for its good, and the good of what it contains, and I seek refuge in You from its evil, and the evil of what it contains.
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem Allaahumma innee as'aluka khayrahaa wa khayra ahleehaa wa khayra maa feehaa, wa a'oodhu bika min sharrihaa wa sharri ahleehaa wa sharri maa feehaa.
When to Read
This dua is ideal to recite when embarking on any new endeavor that requires effort and creativity, whether it's a personal project, a work assignment, or a community initiative. Recite it right before you begin the actual work, upon sitting down to plan, write, design, or build.
How to Read
Begin with the Basmalah (Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem). Recite the dua with sincerity and focus, visualizing the successful completion of your project. It's best recited once, at the very outset of the task. Ensure you understand the meaning and convey that heartfelt request to Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua seeks Allah's blessing ('khayr') for the project itself, its intended outcomes, and the people involved. It also crucially asks for protection ('a'oodhu bika') from any potential harm or negative consequences. By invoking Allah's name and seeking His help, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and invite His guidance and success into our creative process, which is the ultimate source of all good.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us a prayer to say when entering a new home. While the wording specifically mentions 'home' (bayt), the principle of seeking the good and seeking refuge from the evil applies universally to any significant new undertaking. The hadith states: Narrated 'Abdullah bin Al-Harith: When any of the Prophet's companions acquired a new cloak, he would put it on and say: 'O Allah, for this cloak, and for the cloak of which it is a covering, I ask of you the good of it and the good of what it was made for, and I seek refuge in you from the evil of it and the evil of what it was made for.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 3922, graded Sahih by Al-Albani). Although the specific hadith is about clothing, the scholars often extend the principle of seeking good and refuge from evil to new beginnings, including creative projects, journeys, and places, as they all carry potential for both benefit and harm.