When setting off on a journey, whether it’s by plane, car, or even walking, Muslims are encouraged to seek Allah’s protection through dua for travelling. This act is not only a sign of reliance on Allah but also a way to invite His mercy and ensure a safe journey. Reciting the dua before traveling can feel like a spiritual shield, safeguarding against potential harm, accidents, or any unforeseen challenges. Personally, I’ve experienced how this simple act brings peace of mind, knowing that the ultimate protector, Allah, is watching over me.
Making dua sincerely and with firm belief in its power strengthens our connection with Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself emphasized the importance of such supplications, reminding his companions to always seek divine protection before embarking on a trip. This habit not only ensures safety but also fosters a sense of inner peace. For me, while preparing for journey (packing) reciting the prayer before a journey feels like carrying a spiritual safety net that keeps me grounded in faith and prepared for any challenges ahead.
Travelling also strengthens our belief in our Creator as Allah mentions in the Quran:
قُلْ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ بَدَأَ ٱلْخَلْقَ ۚ ثُمَّ ٱللَّهُ يُنشِئُ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Say (O Muhammad): ‘Travel throughout the land and see how He originated the creation, then Allah will bring it into being one more time. Surely Allah is Most Capable of everything.’
(Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:20)
For these reasons, travelling can also be an act of devotion to our Creator. Furthermore, other than continuing to observe our religious obligations such as prayers while travelling, as Muslims, we are also asked to portray exemplary etiquette (adab) when visiting other countries.
In this article, I list some prayers and Duas which we may be observed at different phases of our travel, based on the recommendations of our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and our past scholars, insyaAllah
Ibn Umar reported: When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would mount his camel for travel, he would exalt Allah ﷻ three times and say the following du’a:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفْرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى ، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى ، اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَّنَّا بُعْدَهُ ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوءِ المُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالأَهْلِ
Dua Before Starting the Journey (Hadith-based)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised travelers to recite this dua for protection before setting out of home
“اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ فِتْنَةً فِي طَرِيقِهِ”
“O Allah, I seek refuge with You from being a trial during my journey.”
This dua for safe journey helps protect the traveler from difficulties, distractions, or tests that may come their way.
Dua from the Quran for Safe Travel
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
Translation :
O Allah, make easy for us our journey and shorten its distance. O Allah, You are the companion on the journey and the guardian of the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the difficulties of travel, unpleasant sights, and changes in fortune in wealth and family.
Here is a beautiful dua from the Quran that is commonly recited by travelers is:
“رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ”
“O our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the fire.”
This dua for safe travels does not only seek Allah’s protection during the journey but also asks for blessings in this world and the Hereafter
Dua for travelling by Airplane
For those traveling by airplane, the following dua for traveling by plane is especially recommended. Recall this dua before you board to ask Allah for protection and peace:
“بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ”
“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah; there is no power and no strength except with Allah.”
This dua for airplane travel asks Allah for a safe and smooth journey through the air, acknowledging His control over all things.
Whether you’re travelling by air, land or even sea, the following du’a can be recited when mounting the mode of transport you will be using:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ
Translation:
Glory unto Him Who created this transportation, for us, though we were unable to create it on our own. And unto our Lord we shall return.
[Qur’an | Surah Az-Zukhruf | 43:13-14)
Dua for Airplane Journey and Flight Safety
While traveling by airplane, reciting a dua for airplane travel can bring peace of mind. This dua is a reminder that your safety is ultimately in the hands of Allah:
“اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَوْدِعُكَ فِي رَحِلَتِنَا هَذِهِ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ حَافِظٍ”
“O Allah, we entrust our journey to You, and You are the best protector.”
This dua for traveling by plane Allah’s protection throughout the entire flight.
Traveling by air can be a source of anxiety for many peoplw. Here’s a powerful dua for flight that can be recited before boarding to calm your fears and ask for Allah’s protection:
“اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ السَّائِرِينَ إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ وَمِنَ الْمُسَافِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِكَ”
“O Allah, make me one of those who travel in Your mercy and on Your path.”
This dua for safe flight asks Allah to make the journey a means of earning His mercy and blessings.
Dua Before Traveling by Car
Before beginning your journey, it’s important to recite a dua before traveling to ask Allah for safety, ease, and success. One of the recommended duas for traveling is:
“اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الَّذِينَ يَسْرُونَ لِلْخَيْرِ وَيُسْهِلُونَ فِي السَّفَرِ”
“O Allah, make us among those who ease the way for good deeds and make our journey easy.”
This dua for travel seeks ease in the journey and asks Allah to make the path smooth, free from hardship.
Dua for Protection During Your Journey
When traveling, it’s important to remain in a state of constant supplication. This dua for safety travel can be recited during travel to ensure that Allah protects us from harm:
“اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ فِتْنَةٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ”
“O Allah, protect me from all evil and trials during my journey.”
Reciting this dua for safe travels helps shield us from harm and ensures Allah’s mercy throughout our trip.
How to Recite Dua for Traveling
While reciting dua for safe travel, here are some tips to ensure that our prayers are effective:
- Intention: Make a sincere intention for the journey and ask Allah to make the trip safe and blessed.
- Faith: Recite the dua with complete faith, trusting that Allah will answer your prayers.
- Repeat Regularly: Reciting dua for travel multiple times, before and during the journey, invites continuous protection and blessings.
Trust in Allah’s Protection During Your Journey
Traveling is always unpredictable, but through the power of dua for safe journey, we place our full trust in Allah. BY reciting dua for airplane travel, dua for journey, and other recommended prayers, we ask Allah to guide us, protect us, and keep us safe during our travels. Whether we are traveling by plane, car, or any other means, remember that dua for safe flight and dua for traveling are tools that ensure Allah’s blessings are with you every step of the way.
Du’a after travelling
The Prophet ﷺ recited this du’a when returning from travels:
آيِبُونَ، تَائِبُونَ، عَابِدُونَ، لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
Translation: Returning, repenting, worshipping, and praising our Lord.
Recite this when entering the house:
بِسْـمِ اللّهِ وَلَجْنـَا، وَبِسْـمِ اللّهِ خَـرَجْنـَا، وَعَلَـى رَبِّنـَا تَوَكّلْـنَا
Translation: In the name of Allah we enter, in the name of Allah we leave, and upon our Lord, we rely.
[Hadith | Abu Dawud]
FAQ's
How Powerful is Tahajjud Dua, and Are Tahajjud Duas Always Accepted?
Tahajjud dua is very powerful, it is made during the last third of the night when Allah asks who wants His help or forgiveness. Its acceptance totally depends on Allah’s wisdom, the act of sincere supplication at tahajjud time is always rewarding and spiritually transformative.
Which Surah Protects You, and What is a Simple Yet Powerful Dua?
Most powerful dua against bad wishers:
alhamdu lillahii ‘ala kulli ne’matin wa astaghfirullaha min kulli zambin,wa asaluhu min kulli khairin,wa a’udhu billahi min kulli sharrin.
Is ayatul kursi also for protection?
It acts as a daily shield against both worldly harm and unseen dangers, such as devils, magic, and the evil eye.
