اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ أَهْلِهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا فِيهَا وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ أَهْلِهَا وَشَرِّ مَا فِيهَا
O Allah, I ask You for its good, the good of its people, and the good of whatever it contains, and I seek refuge in You from its evil, the evil of its people, and the evil of whatever it contains.
Allahumma inni as'aluka khayraha wa khayra ahliha wa khayra ma fiha, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ahliha wa sharri ma fiha
When to Read
This dua is beautifully suited for the moment you arrive in a new place, whether it's a city, a town, or even a neighborhood you're unfamiliar with. As you step off the plane, train, or even enter a new district, take a quiet moment to recite this. It's particularly relevant when your intention is to engage with the local culture, understand its people, and navigate its environment with respect and a good heart.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart. It's best recited after your Fard prayers or at a quiet moment upon arrival. Keep your intention pure: to learn, to understand, and to represent the best of your own character and faith while abroad. Think about the specific place you are entering and ask Allah to protect you from its unseen harms and bless you with its benefits and the positive qualities of its inhabitants.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua ensures that you seek Allah's protection from the potential negative aspects of a new environment, be it physical, social, or spiritual. It also allows you to actively seek the good – the knowledge, the positive interactions, the beauty – that the place and its people have to offer. By asking for the good of its people, you are setting a tone of goodwill and open-mindedness, crucial for respectfully absorbing local culture. This practice is a way of acknowledging Allah's dominion over all places and seeking His divine guidance and blessings in your journey.
Source & Authentication
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) taught us a comprehensive manner of supplication. When we went out to travel, he taught us to say: Allahumma inni as'aluka fi safari hadha al-birra wat-taqwa, wa min al-'amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha watwi 'anna bu'dahu. Allahumma Anta al-Sahibu fi al-safar wal-khalifatu fi al-ahl. Allahumma inni as'aluka fi safari hadha al-birra wat-taqwa, wa min al-'amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha watwi 'anna bu'dahu. Allahumma Anta al-Sahibu fi al-safar wal-khalifatu fi al-ahl. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tsa' al-safari wa kabati al-manzari wa su'i al-munqalabi fi al-mali wal-ahl. (O Allah, I ask You for righteousness and piety in this journey of ours, and for deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance for us. O Allah, You are the Companion during the journey and the Successor in the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardship of the journey, the distressful sight, and evil in the wealth and the family upon returning.) Another version of the supplication, related to entering a new town or village, is: Allahumma inni as'aluka khayraha wa khayra ahliha wa khayra ma fiha, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ahliha wa sharri ma fiha. (O Allah, I ask You for its good, the good of its people, and the good of whatever it contains, and I seek refuge in You from its evil, the evil of its people, and the evil of whatever it contains.)