The guidance of Islam helps believers protect themselves from harm through Allah during their travels which are essential to daily living. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) practiced Dua (supplication) during travels as a Sunnah which helps travelers obtain safety and blessings. The belief in Allah’s protection plays an essential role in ensuring protection because believers trust in His divine care during their travels.
The Importance of Travelling in Islam:
The practice of traveling within Islam serves multiple purposes because it enables people to explore new areas while acquiring knowledge and expanding their perspectives. People regard travel as a route toward personal development and spiritual progress. The uncertain nature of travel prompts Muslims to request Allah’s protection and support to safeguard their well-being and help them succeed during their journeys.
Dua for a Safe Journey:
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِي هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى، اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ
Transliteration: Allahumma inni as’aluka fi safarina hadha al-birra wa al-taqwa, wa minal ‘amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin ‘alayna safarana hadha wa atwi ‘anna bu’dahu. Allahumma anta as-sahibu fis-safari, wal-khalifatu fil-ahli. Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min wa’tha’i as-safari, wa kaabatil-manzari, wa su’il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahli.”
Translation: O Allah, I ask You in this journey of mine for righteousness and piety, and for deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey of ours easy for us and shorten its distance for us. O Allah, You are the Companion in travel and the Guardian over the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, the gloom of the sight, and the bad outcome of wealth and family.
Commonly Recited Travelling Dua:
One of the most well-known Duas for travel is:
Arabic: اللهُ أكبَرُ، اللهُ أكبَرُ، اللهُ أكبَرُ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى، اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالأَهْلِ
Transliteration:
“Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrineen wa inna ilaa rabbinaa la munqaliboon, Allahumma inna nas-aluka fee safarina hadhal birra wat-taqwa, wa minal ‘amali maa tardha. Allahumma hawwin ‘alaynaa safaranaa hadhaa, watwi ‘annaa bu’dahu. Allahumma antas saahibu fis-safari, wal khalifatu fil ahli. Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min wa’tha-is safari, wa kaabatil mandzari, wa soo-il munqalabi fil maali wal ahli”
Translation:
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. Glory be to Him who made this journey possible, and we could not have done it without His will. We are all destined to return to our Lord.
O Allah, guide and protect us on this journey, make it easy and keep our families safe. Upon our return, we seek refuge from any hardships, troubling sights, and harm to our property or loved ones.
This Dua is usually recited when embarking on any journey, whether it’s by foot, car, or plane, seeking Allah’s protection throughout the trip.
2. Dua Upon Boarding a Vehicle
Before starting a journey, Muslims are encouraged to recite:
Arabic: سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ
Transliteration: Subhan-alladhi sakh-khara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin. Wa inna ila Rabbina la-munqalibun.
Glory to Him who has made this journey possible for us, though we could not have controlled it. To our Lord, we will surely return. (Quran 43:13-14)
This Dua acknowledges Allah’s power over transportation and seeks His protection.
3. Dua Upon Arriving at Your Destination
Upon reaching the destination, it is recommended to recite:
Arabic: أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
Transliteration: A’udhu bi kalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq.I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of His creation. (Muslim)
Translation: I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.
This Dua ensures safety from unseen harms in the new place.
4. Dua Upon Entering Your Place of Stay
When entering a new accommodation, recite:
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هَذَا الْمَنْزِلِ وَخَيْرَ أَهْلِهِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ هَذَا الْمَنْزِلِ وَشَرِّ أَهْلِهِ
Transliteration: Allahumma inni as’aluka khayra hadhal-manzili wa khayra ahlihi, wa a’udhu bika min sharri hadhal-manzili wa sharri ahlihi.
Translation: O Allah, I ask You for the good of this place and its people, and I seek refuge in You from their evil.
This Dua seeks blessings and protection in the new environment.
5. Travel Duas Etiquettes
- Sincerity (Ikhlas): Make Dua with a pure heart.
- Concentration (Khushu’): Focus on the meaning of the words.
- Timing: The best times for Dua are during travel, after prayers, and at night.
- Facing the Qiblah (if possible).
6. Dua When Entering a New Town, City, or Village
The Prophet (ﷺ) taught:
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَمَا أَظْلَلْنَ، وَرَبَّ الأَرَضِينَ السَّبْعِ وَمَا أَقْلَلْنَ، وَرَبَّ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَمَا أَضْلَلْنَ، وَرَبَّ الرِّيَاحِ وَمَا ذَرَيْنَ، أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ وَخَيْرَ أَهْلِهَا، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ أَهْلِهَا
Translation: O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and all they contain, Lord of the seven earths and all they carry, Lord of the devils and all they lead astray, Lord of the winds and all they scatter, I ask You for the good of this town and its people, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of its people.
7. Importance of Dua in Islam
Dua in Islam is essential as it seeks Allah’s protection, and blessings during travel, reminding Muslims of His constant presence.
- Safety: The primary goal behind the traveling Dua is to ask Allah for safety from accidents, harm, and any unforeseeable problems that you may have faced in your travel.
- Guidance: It prays to Allah for guidance in making the journey smooth peaceful and fulfilling and helping the travelers remain patient and focused on their destination.
- Blessings: Many Muslims make Dua (supplications) to seek Allah’s blessings before and during traveling, for a safe return, and peace of mind, and to perform any duties or obligations during travel.
- Reminder about Allah: Another reason to recite a Dua before starting any journey is that it is a reminder that Allah (SWT) is always there and has His hands in all matters, including traveling.
8. Mentions in the Quran
There are many verses in the Quran referencing travel and seeking Allah’s protection. A relevant verse about travel protection is:
“And when you travel throughout the earth, there is no blame upon you if you shorten the prayer.” (Quran, Surah An-Nisa, 4:101)
It is clearly stated here that such travel can be difficult and that Allah provides certain comforts such as shorter prayers in order to ease the trip. Additionally, there are verses that stress asking for the help of Allah ”Subhanahu Wa Taala” in any task.
9. Mentions in Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) encouraged us to make Dua during travel. A well-known hadith on the matter goes:
When a slave of Allah travels, the Angels say to him: ‘May Allah make your journey easy, and may He bring you back safely. (Sahih Muslim)
It is for this reason that our beloved prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) encourages us to seek the help of Allah through Dua when traveling; because angels were present on every journey, and wherever Allah’s intentions are, the angels’ intents are there as well.
10. Prophet (ﷺ) Says About Dua for Travel
- “Three supplications are answered: the supplication of the traveler, the supplication of the oppressed, and the supplication of a parent for their child.”(Ibn Majah)
11. How Dua Safeguards Against Unknown Dangers
There are hazards that are inherent in traveling—be it accidents, health-related problems, or unpredictable natural disasters. Instead, Dua serves as our protective barrier, seeking Allah’s refuge from these threats. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) informed us that Dua itself repels a calamity as long as one does not become impatient or ask for the calamity to be an end, or break their Dua outgoing.
12. Dua After Travelling
Finally at the end of the journey thank Allah and pray Dua to protect you during your travel. One of the Dua which is commonly recited after traveling is:
Upon returning, recite:
Arabic: آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
Transliteration: A’ibuna, ta’ibuna, ‘abiduna, li-Rabbina hamidun.
“We return repentant, worshipping, and praising our Lord.” (Bukhari)
13. How Allah Protects You When You Say Dua
However, when a traveler prays to God, He offers to protect them in return. It is the angels of Allah who surround them, and the mercy of Allah surrounds them. So Allah means that whatever fate could inflict upon the traveler had accorded as a test, it flies away by the canyon of His mercy.
According to Islamic belief, Allah agrees to your sincere Duas and sends angels for protection from evil, alleviates difficulties, and prevents harm.
14. Special Duas for Umrah Traveling
Umrah is the second holiest pilgrimage in Islam, and the journey is a great spiritual journey. To make their experience smooth, UK Muslims just need to book the Best Umrah package. Travelers who perform Umrah recite Quranic verses and special duas to Allah for the purpose of acceptance, success, and blessings.
During the journey, duas (supplications) are extremely important and there are several types that aid travelers and they pray to Allah for protection and guidance. It is one of the funniest duas that you can read regarding Umrah travel among these:
Arabic: اللهم إني أسالك حجَّةً مَقبولة، وسَعْيًا مَشكورًا، ودعاءً مُستجابًا
Transliteration: Allahumma inni as’aluka hijratan maqbula, wa sa’yaman mashkura, wa du’aa’an mustajaba.
Translation: “O Allah, I ask You for an accepted pilgrimage, a rewarded striving, and a supplication that is answered.”
Arabic: لَبَّيْكَ اللّهُمَّ لَبَّيْك
- “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk (Umrah)”(Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah).
Arabic:رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
- “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.”(Our Lord, grant us good in this world and the Hereafter.)
15. Best Sunnah Practices for Dua
- Raise hands.
- Praise Allah first.
- Send blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ).
- Be persistent.
16. Sunnah Practices During Travel
The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) taught us many Sunnah practices to make our Duas more effective during travel. These include:
- Praying at the beginning and end of the journey.
- Reciting Quranic verses for protection, such as Ayat-ul-Kursi.
- Seeking forgiveness and repenting for any past mistakes.
17. Wisdom Behind the Dua for Traveling
Maintaining Certain Sunnah Practices During Travel: These involve praying obligatory prayers on time, treating fellow travelers well, and reciting specific Duas to seek Allah’s protection from all that can cause harm.
18. Dua by the Traveler for the Resident
And as a traveler prays for themselves to be kept safe, they pray for the ones left behind, too. One popular Dua that a traveler can make for those who are remaining is:
A traveler should pray for those left behind:
Arabic: اللهم إني أسالك أن تهدي لي أهلي وأصحابي
Transliteration: Allahumma inni as’aluka an tuhdhi li ahli wa ashabihi.
Translation: O Allah, protect my family in my absence.”
19. Dua by the Residents for the Traveler
Those who remain at home can also make Dua for the safety of the traveler:
Arabic: اللهم أجره من الخطر وسلمه في سفره
Transliteration: Allahumma ajirhu min al-khatar wa sallimhu fi safar.
Translation: “O Allah, protect him from danger and grant him safety in his travel.”
20. Dua When Riding in a Vehicle or on an Animal
When traveling by vehicle or animal, the following Dua is recommended:
Recite Bismillah and the Dua for boarding.
And
Arabic: سبحان الذي سخر لنا هذا وما كنا له مقرنين
Transliteration: Subhanalladhi sakhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrineen.
Translation: Glory be to the One who has subjected this to us, and we could not have done it by ourselves.
21. Dua When Ascending & Descending While Traveling
When traveling uphill, the following Dua is recited:
Arabic: سبحان الله العلي العظيم
Transliteration: Subhana Allahi al-‘Aliyyi al-Azim.
Translation: “Glory be to Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.”
When descending, a recommended Dua is:
Arabic: سبحان الله العظيم الكبير
Transliteration: Subhana Allah al-Azim al-Kabir.
Translation: “Glory be to Allah, the Greatest, the Most Majestic.”
Short Dua Ascending & Descending
- When ascending: “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).
- When descending: “Subhan Allah” (Glory to Allah).
Conclusion
Duas for travelling Learn Duas for travelling (travel Duas). Observing these etiquettes, a Muslim secures a safe and spiritually revitalizing journey.
This simple yet powerful act reminds us to ask for Allah’s guidance and protection in our travels, regardless of the length. Through Sunnah practices and prescribed Duas, travelers are able to keep their mind at ease and invoke Allah’s blessing during their journey.
