سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ هَذِهِ السَّفَرِ وَخَيْرِ مَا فِيهِ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ مَا فِيهَا اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ وَفُجَاءَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِكَ
Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have accomplished it by ourselves. And indeed, to our Lord we will return. O Allah, we ask You for the goodness of this journey and the goodness of what is in it, and we seek refuge in You from the evil of this journey and the evil of what is in it. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the failing of Your blessings, and the suddenness of Your punishment, and the evil of what You have decreed, and all of Your displeasure.
Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinina, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas'aluka min khairi hadhihis-safari wa khairi ma fihi, wa na'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ma fihi. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zawali ni'matika wa tahawwuli 'afiyatika wa fuja'ati niqmatika wa jami'i sakhathik.
When to Read
This comprehensive supplication is recited when embarking on a journey, but its principles apply powerfully to facing overwhelming natural events like thunderstorms. When a storm gathers, especially one accompanied by thunder and lightning, recalling Allah's dominion over all creation and seeking refuge in His might becomes paramount. Recite this dua as the storm approaches or intensifies, focusing your heart on Allah's power and your dependence on His protection.
How to Read
This is a comprehensive dua that starts with glorifying Allah for His blessings and then moves to seeking good and refuge from evil for a journey. When facing a storm, focus on the second and third parts: seeking refuge from the 'evil of this journey and the evil of what is in it' (metaphorically, the storm's intensity and potential harm) and the specific plea 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the failing of Your blessings, and the suddenness of Your punishment, and the evil of what You have decreed, and all of Your displeasure.' Understand the meaning of each phrase and let your heart be present as you utter them. The first part, about the journey, can be recited as a reminder of Allah's dominion over all affairs.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses seeking the good of a situation while also seeking protection from its potential harm. By reciting it during a storm, you are acknowledging Allah's absolute power over the elements and actively seeking His shelter from any danger or wrath associated with it. It reminds us that even the most fearsome natural events are under Allah's control and that true safety lies only with Him. The latter part of the dua is a powerful shield against the loss of blessings, sudden afflictions, and divine displeasure, all of which can be associated with severe natural disturbances.
Source & Authentication
Yahya related to me from Malik, from Nafi', from Salim Abu an-Nadr, the freed slave of Umar ibn Ubaydullah, that he said, "Umar ibn al-Khattab set off with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a journey, and when they went up the hills and descended into the valleys, they proclaimed, 'Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!' (Allah is the Greatest! Allah is the Greatest!). Then Abdullah ibn Rawaahah proclaimed, 'O Allah! I ask You in this descent for martyrdom and that I die in Your Messenger's land.' Then Abdullah ibn Rawaahah said, 'Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have accomplished it by ourselves. O Allah! I ask You for the goodness of this journey and the goodness 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. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from fatigue, and from evil happenings, and from bad luck, and from evil in what is to come, and from a bad [outcome]; and I seek refuge in You from the failing of Your blessings, and the suddenness of Your punishment, and the evil of what You have decreed, and all of Your displeasure.' Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'Indeed, we proclaim these words.' (The narrator said, 'When they went up the hills and descended into the valleys, they proclaimed, 'Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!' and then they said the rest of the supplication.')