Muslims seek to follow the guidance of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in their daily lives. Among the recommended practices is saying a supplication when leaving home, as it expresses reliance upon Allah and a request for guidance and protection.

Several supplications are reported from the Prophet when leaving home. One of the most well-known begins with:

“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no power and no strength except through Allah.”

What Supplication Did the Prophet Say When Leaving Home?

Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said that when a person leaves his home and says:

“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, there is no power and no strength except through Allah,”

it is said to him:

“You have been guided, you have been sufficed, and you have been protected.”

The devils then move away from him, and one devil says to another that there is no way for him to overcome someone who has been guided, sufficed, and protected.

This supplication combines remembrance of Allah, reliance upon Him, and recognition that all power and ability ultimately belong to Him.

The Prophet’s Supplication for Protection When Leaving Home

Another reported supplication comes from Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would say when leaving his home:

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from going astray or causing others to go astray, from slipping or causing others to slip, from wronging or being wronged, and from acting ignorantly or being treated with ignorance.”

This is a comprehensive prayer seeking protection from mistakes, injustice, misguidance, and harmful behavior.

Meaning of Seeking Protection From Misguidance

The supplication asks Allah to protect the believer from becoming misguided and from becoming a cause of misguidance for others.

Meaning of Seeking Protection From Slipping

The believer asks Allah to protect him from making mistakes and falling into error, as well as from being led into wrongdoing by others.

Meaning of Seeking Protection From Injustice

The supplication includes protection from both committing injustice and suffering injustice at the hands of others.

Meaning of Seeking Protection From Ignorance

It also asks Allah to protect the believer from ignorant or inappropriate behavior and from being subjected to such behavior by others.

The Virtue of the Supplication When Leaving Home

The supplication contains several important spiritual meanings and virtues.

Guidance

The statement “I place my trust in Allah” reflects reliance upon Allah while taking the appropriate means.

The hadith states that the person who says this remembrance is told: “You have been guided.”

Sufficiency

The person is also told: “You have been sufficed,” reflecting Allah’s sufficiency and care for His servant.

Protection

The hadith further states: “You have been protected,” highlighting the virtue of seeking Allah’s protection before leaving home.

Protection From Satan

The narration states that the devils move away from the person who says this remembrance, demonstrating the importance of maintaining the prescribed daily remembrances.

Why Does the Supplication Begin With “In the Name of Allah”?

Beginning with “In the name of Allah” reflects the believer’s reliance upon Allah and recognition that success and protection come from Him.

The phrase “I place my trust in Allah” expresses reliance upon Allah, while “there is no power and no strength except through Allah” acknowledges that ability, strength, and success ultimately come from Him.

Can Both Supplications Be Said Together?

Both supplications are reported in the Prophetic tradition, and Muslims may maintain either or both of them.

There is no requirement to combine them every time one leaves home. The important point is to preserve the established remembrances and follow the Prophetic guidance.

The Short Supplication When Leaving Home

The main supplication can be memorized and recited as:

“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no power and no strength except through Allah.”

Another reported supplication is:

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from going astray or causing others to go astray, from slipping or causing others to slip, from wronging or being wronged, and from acting ignorantly or being treated with ignorance.”

Together, these supplications express reliance upon Allah and a request for guidance, protection, and safety in one’s dealings with others.

Conclusion

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught supplications for leaving home, including:

“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, there is no power and no strength except through Allah.”

The reported virtue of this remembrance is that the person is told: “You have been guided, you have been sufficed, and you have been protected,” while the devils move away from him.

The Prophet also taught a comprehensive supplication seeking protection from misguidance, mistakes, injustice, and harmful behavior.

What should Muslims say when leaving home?
“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no power and no strength except through Allah.”

What is said to someone who recites the leaving-home supplication?
The hadith states: “You have been guided, you have been sufficed, and you have been protected.”

What supplication asks for protection when leaving home?
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from going astray or causing others to go astray…”

What is the virtue of the leaving-home remembrance?
It expresses reliance upon Allah and includes seeking guidance, sufficiency, and protection. The hadith also mentions that devils move away from the person who says it.

When should the leaving-home supplication be said?
It should be said when leaving the home, following the Prophetic practice.