Make sure to recite the various supplications recommended for travel during your trip
Main Du’a for Travelling
Once you have boarded your means of transportation—whether it be a car, bus, or plane—recite the following du’a.
It was narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنه) that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mounted his camel and prepared to depart on a journey, he would say:
اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ❁ اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ❁ اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ❁ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ ❁ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ ❁ اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى ❁ وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى ❁ اَللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا ❁ وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ ❁ اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ ❁ اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوْءِ الْمُنْقَلِبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ ❁
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar. Subḥāna lladhī sakhkhara lanā hadhā wa mā kunnā lahu muqrinīn, wa innā ila rabbinā la munqalibūn. Allāhumma innā nas’aluka fī safarinā hadha l-birra wa t-taqwā, wa mina l-ʿamali mā tarḍa. Allāhumma hawwin ʿalaynā safaranā hādhā, wa-ṭwi ʿannā buʿdah. Allāhumma anta ṣ-ṣāḥibu fi s-safari wa l-khalīfatu fi l-ahl. Allāhumma innī aʿūdhu bikā min waʿthā’i s-safari wa ka’ābati l-manẓari wa sū’i l-munqalibi fi l-māli wa l-ahl.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
Glory be to Him Who has subjugated this to us, for we could not have accomplished it, and truly to our Lord we are returning. O Allah, we ask You for piety and fear of Allah and deeds with which You will be pleased on this journey of ours. O Allah make this journey easy for us and fold up for us its distance. O Allah You are the Companion on the journey and the Deputy among the family. O Allah I seek Your protection from discomfort on the journey and from a gloomy outlook, and from any evil befalling my wealth or family.1
Second Du’a for Travelling
Abdullah ibn Sarjis (رضي الله عنه) reported that whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) embarked on a journey, he would say:
اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ ❁ وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ ❁ اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمُنْقَلِبِ ❁ وَ مِنْ الْحَوْرِ بَعْدَ الْكَوْنِ ❁ وَ مِنْ دَعْوَةَ الْمَظْلومَ ❁ وَ مِنْ سُوْءِ الْمَنْظَرِ فِي الْأَهْلِا وَ الْمَالِ
Allāhumma anta s-sāhibu fi s-safar, wa l-khalīfatu fi l-ahl. Allāhumma innī aʿūdhu bika min waʿthā’i s-safar, wa ka’ābati-l-munqalab, wa mina l-hawri baʿda l-kawn, wa min daʿwati l-mazlūma, wa min sū’i l-manẓari fi l-ahli wa l-māl.
O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Deputy among the family. O Allah I seek Your protection from difficulties on the journey, sadness on returning, infidelity after faith, beseeching You as an oppressed person, and from evil befalling my wealth or family.2
Third Du’a for Travelling
Husayn ibn Ali (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recommended reciting the following Quranic verse when boarding a vehicle:
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ مَجْرَاهَا وَمُرْسَاهَا، إِنَّ رَبِّي لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Bismi Llāhi majrāhā wa mursāhā, inna rabbī la-ghafūrur-raḥīm.
In the name of Allah be its movement and rest. Truly my Lord is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.3
When Going Uphill or Downhill
When traveling uphill or downhill, two supplications are recommended.
Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ, upon returning from Hajj, ‘Umrah, or battle—and when ascending any height—would proclaim Allāhu Akbar three times, then say:
لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ❁ لَهُ المُلْكُ ولَهُ الْحَمْدُ ❁ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ❁ آئِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ ساجِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُون ❁ صَدَقَ اللّٰهُ وَعْدهُ ❁ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ ❁ وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وحْدَهُ
Lā ilāha illa Llāhu wahdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu l-mulk, wa lahu l-ḥamd, wa Huwa ʿalā kulli shay’in qadīr. Ā’ibūnā tā’ibūna, ʿābidūna sājidūna li-rabbinā ḥāmidūn. Ṣadaqa Llāhu waʿdah, wa naṣara ʿabdah, wa hazama l-aḥzāba waḥdah.
There is no god but Allah, the One Who has no partner. His is the kingdom and His is the praise, and He has power over all things. Returning, repenting, worshipping, prostrating before our Lord, praising. Allah has fulfilled His promise, and given victory to His servant, and routed the confederates by Himself.4
Anas ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه) reported that whenever the Prophet ﷺ would climb to an elevated area, he would say:
اللّٰهُمَّ لَكَ الشَّرَفُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَرَفٍ ❁ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ
Allāhumma laka sh-sharafu ʿalā kulli sharafin, wa laka l-ḥamdu ʿalā kulli ḥāl.
O Allah, to You belongs exaltation over every high place and to You belongs praise in every situation.5
Disembarking from Transport
After you have disembarked from your means of transport, recite this du’a:
رَبِّ أَنْزِلْنِي مُنْزَلًا مُبَارَكًا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْمُنْزِلِينَ ❁
Rabbi anzilnī munzalān mubārakān wa anta khayru l-munzilīn.
O Allah, let me disembark with a blessed disembarking, and You are the best of those who cause to disembark.6
Approaching a Town
When nearing a town or city during your travels, recite the following supplication. It was narrated by Suhayb (رضي الله عنه) that whenever the Prophet ﷺ would approach any settlement he intended to enter, he would say:
اَللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَمَا أَظْلَلْنَ ❁ وَالْأَرَضِينَ السَّبْعِ وَمَا أَقْلَلْنَ ❁ وَرَبَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ وَمَا أَضْلَلْنَ ❁ وَرَبَّ الرِّيَاحِ وَمَا ذَرَيْنَ ❁ أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ وَخَيْرَ أَهْلِهَا ❁ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ أَهْلِهَا وَشَرِّ مَا فِيهَا
Allāhumma Rabba s-samāwāti s-sabʿi wa mā aẓlalna, wa l-ardīna s-sabʿi wa mā aqlalna, wa rabba sh-shayāṭīni wa mā aḍlalna, wa Rabba r-riyāḥi wa mā dharayn. As’aluka khayra hādhihi l-qaryati wa khayra ahlihā, wa naʿūdhu bika min sharrihā wa sharri ahlihā wa sharri mā fīhā.
O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and what they cover, Lord of the seven earths and what they carry, Lord of the Shayatin and all those they lead astray, Lord of the winds and what they scatter. I ask You (to grant me) the good of this town, the good of its people and the good of whatever is in it. And I seek protection in You from the evil of this town, the evil of its people and the evil of whatever is in it.7
Aisha (رضي الله عنها) reported that when Allah’s Messenger ﷺ would gaze upon a land he intended to enter, he would recite:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ هَذِهِ وَخَيْرِ مَا جَمِعْتَ فِيهَا ❁ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ مَا جَمِعْتَ فِيهَا ❁ اَللَّهُمَّ ارْزِقْنَا حَيَاهَا ❁ وَأَعِذْنَا مِنْ وَبَاهَا ❁ وَحَبِّبْنَا إِلَى أَهْلِهَا ❁ وَحَبِّبْ صَالِحِي أَهْلِهَا إِلَيْنَا ❁
Allāhumma innī as’aluka min khayri hādhihi wa khayri mā jamiʿta fīhā, wa aʿūdhu bikā min sharrihā wa sharri mā jamiʿtu fīhā. Allāhumma-rzuqnā ḥayāhā, wa aʿidhnā min wabāhā, wa ḥabbibnā ilā ahlihā, wa ḥabbib ṣāliḥī ahlihā ilaynā.
O Allah, I ask You for the good in this and the good You have gathered in it, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil You have gathered in it Allah, give us our provision from it, protect us from its diseases, and endear us to its inhabitants, and endear us to the righteous amongst them.8
Stopping for the Night
When making an overnight stop during your travels, recite this protective supplication. Khawlah bint Hakim (رضي الله عنها) narrated that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “Whoever alights at any place and recites these words will remain under divine protection until departing from that place.
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
Aʿūdhu bi-kalimāti Llāhi t-tāmmāti min sharri mā khalaq.
O Allah, I ask You for the good in this and the good You have gathered in it, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil You have gathered in it Allah, give us our provision from it, protect us from its diseases, and endear us to its inhabitants, and endear us to the righteous amongst them.8
Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه) reported that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ journeyed and evening drew near, he would recite
يَا أَرْضُ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكِ اللهُ ❁ أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شَرِّكِ وَشَرِّ مَا فِيكِ ❁ وَشَرِّ مَا خُلِقَ فِيكِ ❁ وَشَرِّ مَا يَدُبَّ عَلَيْكِ ❁ أَعُوذُ باللهِ مِنْ أَسَدٍ وَأَسْوَدَ ❁ وَمِنَ الْحَيَّةِ وَالْعَقْرَبِ ❁ وَمِنْ سَاكِنِ الْبَلَدِ وَمِنْ والِدٍ وَمَا وَلَدَ
Yā arḍu rabbī wa Rabbuki Llāh. A‘ūdhu bi Llāhi min sharriki wa sharri mā fīk, wa sharri mā khuliqa fīk, wa sharri mā yadubba ʿalayk. Aʿūdhu bi Llāhi min asadin wa aswad, wa min al-ḥayyati wa l-ʿaqrab, wa min sākini l-balad, wa min wālidin wa mā walad.
O Earth, my Lord and yours is Allah. I seek protection in Allah from your evil and the evil that is in you, and the evil that has been created in you, and the evil of that which crawls on you. I seek protection in Allah from lions, black things, snakes, scorpions, and the inhabitants of the land, parents and offspring alike.10
Returning Home
Upon returning home after your journey, recite the following.
آئِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّناَ حَامِدُونَ
Ȧ’ibūna tā’ibūna ‘ābidūn, li-rabbinā ḥamidūn.
Returning, repenting, worshipping, praising our Lord.11
Anas ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه) beautifully recounts:
“Abū Talḥah and I accompanied the Prophet ﷺ on his return journey, with Ṣafiyyah (رضي الله عنها) riding behind him. As Medina’s lights became visible, the Beloved ﷺ began repeating this sacred remembrance until we entered the city:
Ibn ‘Abbās (رضي الله عنه) further narrates the Prophet’s ﷺ blessed custom:
“Upon completing any journey and reuniting with his family, Allah’s Messenger ﷺ would recite…
تَوْباً تَوْباً ❁ لِرَبِّنَا أَوْباً ❁ لاَ يُغَادِرُ حَوْباً
Tawban tawbā, li-rabbinā awbā, lā yughādiru ḥawbā.
Turning turning, to our Lord returning, not leaving behind any sin [unforgiven].12
References
↑1 | Muslim (1342) and Abu Dawud 2599). |
↑2 | At-Tirmidhi (3425), an-Nass’i (8/272), and Ibn Majah (3888). |
↑3 | Qur’ān 11:41, in the book of Ibn as-Sunni. |
↑4 | Al-Bukhari (6385), Muslim (1344), al-Muwatta (1/421), Abu Dawud (2770), at-Tirmidhi (950), and an NaSa’i (540). |
↑5 | Ibn as-Sunnī (523). |
↑6 | Qur’ān 23:29 |
↑7 | An-Nasai (544), Ibn as-Sunni (525), and al-Futuhat (5/154). Ibn Hajar classifies this hadith as hasan. |
↑8 | Ibn as-Sunni |
↑9 | Muslim (2708), Malik (2/978), and at-Tirmidhī (3433). |
↑10 | Abu Dawud (2603), an-NaSa’i (563) in ‘Amal al-yawm wa al-laylah, and al-Futuhat (5/146)- Ibn Hajar grades this hadith as sahih. |
↑11 | Muslim (1345). |
↑12 | Ibn as-Sunni (536). Ibn Hajar grades it as sahih. |
