اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَمَا أَظْلَلْنَ، وَرَبَّ الأَرَضِينَ السَّبْعِ وَمَا أَقَلْنَ، وَرَبَّ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَمَا أَضْلَلْنَ، وَرَبَّ الرِّيَاحِ وَمَا ذَرَيْنَ، أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ (أَوْ قَالَ: هَذِهِ الْمَدِينَةِ) وَخَيْرَ أَهْلِهَا، وَخَيْرَ مَا فِيهَا، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا، وَشَرِّ أَهْلِهَا، وَشَرِّ مَا فِيهَا.
O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and all that they cover, Lord of the seven earths and all that they hold, Lord of the devils and all that they mislead, Lord of the winds and all that they scatter. I ask You for the goodness of this village (or he said: this city) and the goodness of its people, and the goodness of whatever is in it. And I seek refuge in You from its evil, and the evil of its people, and the evil of whatever is in it.
Allahumma Rabba-s-samawati-s-sab'i wa ma azlalna, wa Rabba-l-ardiina-s-sab'i wa ma aqalna, wa Rabba-sh-shayatini wa ma adlalna, wa Rabba-r-riyahi wa ma dharrayna, as'aluka khayra hadhihi-l-qaryati (aw qala: hadhihi-l-madinati) 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 traveler embarking on a journey with a sincere intention to contribute positively to a new community. As you approach a new town, city, or even a specific neighborhood, upon seeing its structures from afar or upon entering its boundaries, this supplication is a powerful way to seek Allah's protection and blessings for yourself and for the place you are entering.
How to Read
Recite this dua with heartfelt sincerity as you arrive in a new environment. Recognize Allah's dominion over all creation – the heavens, the earth, the unseen forces, and the elements. With humility, ask Him for the blessings of the place and its inhabitants, and with conviction, seek His protection from any potential harm or negativity. If you are entering a village, you can say 'al-qaryah'; if it's a city, you can say 'al-madinah'.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua seeks the best of the new environment, encompassing its physical space, its people, and all that it contains. It’s not just about personal gain; it’s about invoking blessings for the community as a whole. By seeking refuge in Allah from the potential evils of the place, its people, and its contents, the traveler seeks to navigate the new surroundings with divine guidance and protection, ensuring their presence is a source of good and not ill.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mughaffal: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say when he entered a village or a town: 'Allahumma Rabba-s-samawati-s-sab'i wa ma azlalna, wa Rabba-l-ardiina-s-sab'i wa ma aqalna, wa Rabba-sh-shayatini wa ma adlalna, wa Rabba-r-riyahi wa ma dharrayna, as'aluka khayra hadhihi-l-qaryati (aw qala: hadhihi-l-madinati) wa khayra ahliha, wa khayra ma fiha, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha, wa sharri ahliha, wa sharri ma fiha. (Sunan Abi Dawud, Book 22, Hadith 4976).