Dua for entering the mosque and leaving it
The dua for entering the mosque asks Allah to open the gates of His mercy, and the dua for leaving asks for His bounty. Here are both in full, with Arabic and meaning, along with the du‘as for leaving and entering the home on the way.
Last updated: 4 October 2026
Leaving home for the mosque
On leaving the house
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلَاَ حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ
Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no power and no strength except with Allah.”
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud and Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi (graded sahih). Arabic text: Hisn al-MuslimDua for entering the mosque
Step in with the right foot
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ العَظِيمِ، وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ، وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ، مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ، بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
“I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty, in His noble Face and His eternal authority, from the accursed Shaytan. In the name of Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy. (Enter with the right foot.)”
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud and Sahih Muslim (the last sentence). Arabic text: Hisn al-MuslimThe shortest form, from Sahih Muslim, is the last sentence alone: “Allahummaf-tah li abwaba rahmatik”. Then pray two rak‘ahs before sitting down.
Dua for leaving the mosque
Step out with the left foot
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَالصّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِك، اللَّهُمَّ اعْصِمْنِي مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
Bismillah, was-salatu was-salamu ‘ala rasulillah, Allahumma inni as’aluka min fadlik, Allahumma‘simni minash-shaytanir-rajim.
“In the name of Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask You of Your bounty. O Allah, protect me from the accursed Shaytan. (Leave with the left foot.)”
Source: Sahih Muslim; Sunan Ibn Majah (the last sentence). Arabic text: Hisn al-MuslimBack home
On entering the house
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَلَجْنَا، وَبِسْمِ اللَّهِ خَرَجْنَا، وَعَلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَا
Bismillahi walajna, wa bismillahi kharajna, wa ‘alallahi rabbina tawakkalna.
“In the name of Allah we enter, in the name of Allah we leave, and upon Allah our Lord we rely. (Then greet your family with salam.)”
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud. Arabic text: Hisn al-MuslimEtiquette of the mosque
- Come with wudu and clean clothes; avoid strong smells such as raw onion or garlic (Sahih Muslim 564).
- Pray two rak‘ahs on arrival (tahiyyat al-masjid).
- Do not step over people’s necks or push to the front.
- Keep phones on silent, and keep children close and calm.
For the prayer itself, see how to pray salah and common mistakes in salah; for wudu, how to perform wudu. All daily du‘as are in our dua collection.
Frequently asked questions
Which foot do I enter the mosque with?
The right foot when entering and the left foot when leaving, following the practice reported from Anas ibn Malik and honouring the right in good things.
What is the shortest dua for entering the masjid?
“Allahummaf-tah li abwaba rahmatik” (O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy), from Sahih Muslim (713). On leaving: “Allahumma inni as’aluka min fadlik” (O Allah, I ask You of Your bounty).
Should I pray when I enter the mosque?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ said: “When one of you enters the mosque, let him pray two rak‘ahs before sitting” (Sahih al-Bukhari 444). This is called tahiyyat al-masjid.
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