Arabic Text
عن أم المؤمنين أم سلمة، واسمها هند بنت أبي أمية حذيفة المخزومية رضي الله عنها، أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا خرج من بيته قال:
«بِسْمِ الله، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى الله، اللهم إنِّي أعوذُ بِكَ أنْ أضِلَّ أوْ أُضَلَّ، أوْ أزِلَّ أوْ أُزَلَّ، أوْ أظْلِمَ أوْ أُظْلَمَ، أوْ أجْهَلَ أوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَيَّ».
حديث صحيح رواه أبو داود، والترمذي وغيرهما بأسانيد صحيحة.
1. Connection to the Chapter
This hadith belongs under اليقين والتوكل because it teaches the believer how to leave the safety of private space without leaving the protection of Allah. The home is a place of shelter, but the believer does not step into the world naked; he steps out wrapped in remembrance, trust, and refuge. That is the practical form of tawakkul: before action begins, the heart is already leaning on Allah.
It also fits this chapter because it shows that certainty is not only for great crises. It begins with ordinary exits, daily routines, and small transitions. The Prophet ﷺ teaches that even leaving the house is a moment that deserves divine dependence.
2. Key Words Meaning
بسم الله — in the name of Allah; beginning the outward journey with divine blessing.
توكلت على الله — I place my trust in Allah; I rely on Him for guidance and protection.
أعوذ بك — I seek refuge in You; I turn to Allah for shelter.
أن أضل أو أضل — from going astray or being led astray; from losing guidance or causing others to lose it.
أن أزل أو أزل — from slipping or being made to slip; from moral or practical missteps.
أن أظلم أو أظلم — from ظلم, whether by committing injustice or suffering it.
أن أجهل أو يجهل علي — from acting ignorantly or being treated with ignorance; from losing composure or being dragged into the foolishness of others.
3. Hadith Lessons
The first lesson is that the believer should not leave his home with a soul that thinks itself self-sufficient. The Prophet ﷺ begins with the name of Allah and the admission of dependence. That is how a Muslim enters the public world: not with arrogance, but with trust.
The second lesson is that the dangers outside are not only physical. The du‘a protects from deviation, error, injustice, and ignorance. This means the believer is not merely asking for safety of the body, but safety of the heart, the tongue, and the conduct.
The third lesson is that tawakkul is joined to moral alertness. The one who depends on Allah must also fear slipping into ظلم or being pulled into الجهل. Reliance on Allah is not passive innocence; it is disciplined awareness.
The fourth lesson is that the believer is not only concerned with avoiding sin, but also with avoiding becoming the cause of harm to others. The du‘a asks not only not to stray, but not to mislead; not only not to ظلم, but not to ظلم. This is a mature and ethical form of religion.
4. Special Reflections
This hadith speaks very strongly to modern life because leaving home today often means entering a world of confusion, speed, emotional pressure, and moral exposure. A person can leave the house physically clean but mentally scattered. The Prophet ﷺ teaches him to leave with a shield around the heart.
The four pairs in the supplication are also profound. They show that a believer should fear both active sin and passive harm: not only doing wrong, but being dragged into wrong; not only oppressing, but being oppressed; not only committing foolishness, but being caught in other people’s foolishness. The du‘a trains the soul to seek a life of integrity on every side.
There is also a quiet beauty in beginning the day this way. Before the first conversation, the first transaction, the first argument, the first decision, the servant has already asked Allah to govern his steps. That is how certainty becomes daily character rather than abstract belief.
5. Three Questions to Close With
- When I leave home, do I go out with Allah’s name on my tongue and Allah’s trust in my heart?
- Which danger do I fear more: physical harm, or moral slipping and ignorance?
- Do I ask Allah only to protect me, or also to protect me from becoming a source of harm to others?