بِسْمِ اللهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا جُبِلَتْ عَلَيْهِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ مَا جُبِلَتْ عَلَيْهِ.
In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah. There is no might nor power except with Allah. O Allah, I ask You for the good of this [pet] and the good of what it was created with, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of this [pet] and the evil of what it was created with.
Bismillahi, tawakkaltu 'alallahi, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah. Allahumma inni as'aluka khayraha wa khayra ma jubilat 'alayhi, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ma jubilat 'alayhi.
When to Read
This dua is recited when bringing a new pet home. It's a beautiful way to begin this new relationship with Allah's name, acknowledging His power and seeking His protection and blessings for the new animal and for ourselves in caring for it. Imagine the moment you open the door for your new furry (or scaly, or feathered!) family member. This is the perfect time to pause, say this dua, and set a positive, blessed intention for your time together.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a clear intention. Place your hand gently on the pet if possible, or at least face its direction. Start by saying 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah), acknowledging that everything begins with His name. Then, declare your reliance on Him ('Tawakkaltu 'alallah'). The phrase 'Wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah' emphasizes that all power and strength come solely from Allah, a humbling reminder as we take on responsibility. Finally, ask Allah for the best of the pet and seek His protection from any potential harm.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is comprehensive. It invokes Allah's blessings and protection over the new pet, ensuring that its introduction into your home is met with divine care. It also seeks protection for you from any potential mischief or issues the pet might bring, a practical plea for harmony. By starting with this supplication, you are essentially entrusting the well-being of both the pet and your household to Allah, seeking His guidance in raising and caring for this creature. This practice fosters gratitude and mindfulness in our responsibilities.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught this dua for various new beginnings, including riding an animal. The full hadith in Sunan Abi Dawud reads: 'When the Prophet (ﷺ) wanted to ride his mount, he would say: 'Allahu Akbar.' When he mounted and settled on his back, he would say: 'Praise be to Allah. Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have done it by our own efforts.' Then he would say: 'Our Lord, praise be to You.' And three times he would say: 'Allahu Akbar.' Then he would say: 'Glory be to You, I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for none forgive sins except You.' And he would say: 'O Allah, I ask You for good in this journey and the good of what is in it, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of this journey and the evil of what is in it.' And when he returned, he would say these words and repeat them, and say: 'We return in repentance, we repent, we worship, and to our Lord we will return.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 2552). The version used here is adapted for welcoming a pet, focusing on its nature. A similar dua for new endeavors is also found in Sahih Muslim 6306: 'When he (ﷺ) would take hold of the reins of his camel for departure on a journey, he would recite: *Bismillahi, tawakkaltu 'alallahi. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min an adilla aw udalla, aw azilla aw uzalla, aw azlim aw uzlama, aw ajhala aw yujhala 'alayya* (In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah. O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from going astray or being led astray, from slipping or being caused to slip, from wronging or being wronged, from acting foolishly or being acted upon foolishly). This form is more general, and the adaptation for the pet focuses on its inherent nature ('ma jubilat 'alayhi').