Islam is a complete deen, and it teaches its followers the preferred action for all situations of life. From the etiquette of greeting one another to eating meals, Islam has recommendations for every action. The same is true for the way one may enter a new city, town, or village. Our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) showed with action the etiquettes Muslims must follow, and it is mentioned in hadith that he recited the dua given below upon entering a town or village (Hisn al-Muslim 208). It is a beautiful dua asking for Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to protect them from the dangers and evils of the new location and to enable them to seek the benefits and good things from the new location.
Travel Duas
Allaahumma Rabbas-samaawaatis-sab'i wa maa 'adhlalna, wa Rabbal-'aradheenas-sab'i wa maa 'aqlalna, wa Rabbash-shayaateeni wa maa 'adhlalna, wa Rabbar-riyaahi wa maa tharayna. 'As'aluka khayra haathihil-qaryati wa khayra 'ahlihaa, wa khayra maafeehaa, wa 'a'oothu bika min sharrihaa, wa sharri 'ahlihaa, wa shard maa feehaa.
O Allah, Lord of the Seven heavens and all they overshadow, Lord of the Seven worlds and all they uphold, Lord of the devils and all they lead astray, Lord of the winds and all they scatter. I ask You for the goodness of this town and for the goodness of its people, and for the goodness it contains. I seek refuge in You from its evil, from the evil of its people and from the evil it contains.
The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) recited this dua upon entering a town or village after traveling to the destination. He would recite the dua once he had entered the boundaries of the town or village. Following the Prophet’s (ﷺ) practice, we should say Bismillah before reciting this dua. There is no requirement for Wudu; however, it is best to be in Wudu at all times.
The beautiful dua recited upon entering a town or village begins with reaffirming that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between. It then asks Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to bless us with the goodness of the town or village and its people and to shield us from the evil of the place and its people. Hence, reciting this dua asks Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to give ‘barakah’ in all that we do in the new location while protecting us from the evil that may harm. This does not mean that Allah will send down someone physically to protect you from evil, but rather, Allah will keep you from making decisions that can harm you in any way and help you make decisions that are beneficial for you.
No, it is not important to perform Wudu before reciting this dua.
Reciting dua upon entering a town or village protects the traveler from all the evils and misfortunes of the place and the people.