بِسْمِ اللَّهِ ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ
In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah.
Bismillahi, tawakkaltu 'alallahi, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah
When to Read
This beautiful dua is for anyone beginning any task, especially the start of your workday. As you sit down at your desk, prepare your tools, or begin any endeavor, reciting this acknowledges Allah (SWT) as the ultimate source of ability and success. It's a moment to consciously connect your efforts to His power, setting a righteous intention for the hours ahead.
How to Read
Recite this with sincerity and a heart full of reliance on Allah. Begin with 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah) to invoke His blessing. Then, declare your reliance with 'Tawakkaltu 'alallahi' (I place my trust in Allah), followed by the powerful affirmation 'Wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah' (And there is no might nor power except with Allah) to acknowledge that all strength comes from Him alone. Utter it clearly and with conviction before you commence your work.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a powerful declaration of Tawakkul (trust and reliance on Allah). By reciting it, you are not just asking for success; you are acknowledging your own limitations and Allah's absolute power. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned the immense benefit of this dua when he said: 'When a person gets up to his house and says Bismillah, he says: A'udhu billahis-samee'il-'aleem minash-shaytaanir-rajeem (I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, from the accursed Satan). When he gets down from his mount, he says the same. When he enters his house, he says the same.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 5095). While this hadith specifically mentions entering the house, the principle of seeking Allah's protection and blessing at the start of an action applies universally. It wards off Satan's whispers and temptations that can derail our efforts and protect us from negative influences, ensuring our work is conducted in a manner pleasing to Allah.
Source & Authentication
The full context of the hadith where this dua appears is related to seeking Allah's protection when entering one's home. However, the phrase itself, 'Bismillahi, tawakkaltu 'alallahi, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah,' is a profound statement of reliance and is recommended by scholars for use at the beginning of any significant undertaking, including starting one's work. The hadith states: 'The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'When a person gets up to his house and says Bismillah, he says: 'A'udhu billahis-samee'il-'aleem minash-shaytaanir-rajeem' (I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, from the accursed Satan). When he gets down from his mount, he says the same. When he enters his house, he says the same.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 5095). The principle of invoking Allah's name and placing trust in Him before commencing an action is a Sunnah practice that brings barakah (blessing).