Assalaamu alaikum, brothers and sisters in Islam. We all know that traveling can be exciting when going to new places, having new experiences, and that wonderful thrill of adventure. We should know that it can also come with uncertainties like fatigue and unexpected challenges. The good part is that our Prophet ﷺ taught us the dua while travelling. The dua for a traveler serves as a protection from physical and unseen harm.
We live in a time where we travel by plane, car, boat, or train, which makes our travel easier than ever. But all these means also have their risk. From accidents to unseen dangers, to sudden changes in plans. Every journey holds its share of the unknown. Delayed flights, flat tires, missed turns, and strange lands. You’re stepping out into the world, away from your familiar routines and comforts. You need Allah’s protection.
And as Muslims, when we are travelling, we don’t just pack our bags with clothes and gadgets only, we go along with our trust in Allah, and we arm ourselves with the powerful dua for a traveler as taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. These specific duas while travelling, serve as protection, ease, and blessings during our journeys.
Whether you’re boarding a plane to another country, setting off on a road trip in your car, or embarking on a pilgrimage, it is recommended to say the authentic dua while travelling. It will act as your spiritual shield. They are also said to invoke Allah’s safety, barakah (blessings), guidance, and ensure your journey remains under Allah’s protection. So, what are the authentic duas while travelling or the best dua for a traveler?
The main authentic dua while travelling
This is the main authentic dua while travelling, as taught by our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ whenever he would set out on a journey. It is reported in Sahih Muslim and other authentic collections of hadith. Let’s learn the full version of this powerful dua for a traveler in both transliteration and English, followed by its detailed meaning and benefits.
The authentic dua while travelling in Arabic
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ. سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ. 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 الْأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ.
The authentic dua while travelling in transliteration
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar. Subḥāna alladhī sakhkhara lanā hādhā wa mā kunnā lahu muqrinīn. Wa innā ilā Rabbinā lamunqalibūn. Allāhumma innā nas’aluka fī safarinā hādhā al-birra wa at-taqwā, wa mina al-‘amali mā tardā. Allāhumma hawwin ‘alainā safaranā hādhā, waṭwi ‘annā bu‘dah. Allāhumma anta aṣ-ṣāḥibu fī as-safar, wal-khalīfatu fī al-ahl. Allāhumma innī a‘ūdhu bika min wa‘thā’i as-safar, wa ka’ābati al-manzar, wa sū’i al-munqalabi fī al-māli wal-ahl.
The authentic dua while travelling in English
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. Glory be to the One Who has subjected this (vehicle) to us, though we could never have accomplished it by ourselves. And indeed, to our Lord we will surely return.
O Allah, we ask You in this journey for righteousness and piety, and for deeds that are pleasing to You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance. O Allah, You are the Companion in the journey and the Guardian over the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, from having a sorrowful scene, and from returning with harm to our wealth and family.
This comprehensive dua for a traveler is deeply rooted in the Sunnah. This is the authentic dua while traveling that our Prophet used to recite whenever he set out on a journey as narrated by Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them) that whenever Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) mounted his camel while setting out on a journey, he glorified Allah (uttered Allah-o-Akbar) thrice, and then said the above dua. (Sahih Muslim 1342)
Commentary on this authentic dua for a traveler.
Saying this dua while travelling is simply doing or asking for the following..
- Glorifying Allah’s might: You’re glorifying Allah for making the means of travel (cars, buses, planes) subservient to you.
- Righteousness and piety: You are asking for consciousness of Allah in every action throughout the journey, and to be able to do everything that pleases Allah in the journey.
- Establishing your reliance (tawakkul) on Allah: You affirm that Allah is your companion on the journey, and the guardian of your family while you’re away.
- Asking for Allah’s protection and blessings: You seek refuge from the hardships of travel, bad sights, and misfortunes, and ask Allah to put blessings in your endeavors through the journey
Other dua for a traveler
Let’s learn the other authentic dua while travelling that should be recited too.
1. Dua when leaving home
This is also a recommended dua for a traveler to say before stepping out of his or her home.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘ala Allah, la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah
“In Allah’s name, I trust in Allah; there is no power nor strength except with Allah.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud 5095)
2. Dua when boarding any vehicle, entering a plane, or any means of transport
This is another good dua while travelling. Although this dua is incorporated in the main authentic dua while travelling that we have cited above before, but it is recommended to always say this when you are entering any means of transport, like a plane, a boat, a car, and others. Our Prophet ﷺ used to recite upon mounting (whether a camel, car, or plane), the following dua.
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ
Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun
“Glory to Him who gave us control over this, though we could never have mastered it alone. To our Lord we will return.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud 2602)
Before saying this dua when entering any means of transport, it is recommended to say “Bismillah” first, and after you have sat on or in the transport, you will say “Alhamdulillah”. Then you will now say the above dua. This can be found in the Sunan of Abi Dawud 2602.
3. Dua upon entering or reaching a new place
Among the most important dua for a traveler is this dua. It is recommended for a traveler to say this dua after reaching, stopping or entering a new place. This will safeguard him or her from any physical and spiritual harm in that area.
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
A’udhu bi kalimatil-lahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq
I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of that which He has created
The above dua for a traveler when reaching a place was narrated from Khaula bint Hakim Sulamiyya who said that: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying: When anyone lands at a place, and then says:” I seek refuge in the Perfect Word of Allah from the evil of what He has created,” nothing would harm him until he marches from that stopping place. (Sunan Ibn Majah, 3547)
Benefits of this dua while travelling
- Protects you from jinn in unfamiliar or any new places you reach
- Neutralizes black magic
- Protection from physical harm, like snakes, thieves, or toxic people
It is highly recommended to say these duas while travelling so as to be under Allah’s protection from any forms of spiritual and physical harm, and also invites Allah’s blessing in your endeavors through the journey. We ask Allah to keep safeguarding us in all our journeys, whether far or close, and put barakah in all our endeavours too. Aameen
