Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says: When you appear before a fearsome king and you fear that he will be harsh with you, then say this three times: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is more honorable than all His creation, I seek refuge with Allah, besides whom there is no deity, who restrains the seven heavens from falling upon the earth except by His permission, from the evil of Your such-and-such servant, and from the evil of his armies and followers and supporters, whether they are from among the jinn or mankind. O Allah! Be my helper against their evil, exalted is Your praise, honored is Your protection, blessed is Your name, and there is no deity except You.