Dua for Travel : Seeking Allah’s Protection and Guidance on the Journey

The Importance of Making Dua Before and During Travel

Travel is always associated with risks such as insecurity and the possibility of delays or other difficulties. Islam always says that dua (supplication) is half the work—we ask Allah to protect and guide us during our journey. It is a sign that no matter where we are, Allah accompanies us and helps us stay on the right track.

In the Quran, Allah (SWT) encourages us to seek His help in times of need and to remember Him at all times, especially during travel:

Ayat from the Quran

هُوَ الَّذِي يُسَيِّرُكُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا كُنتُمْ فِي الْفُلْكِ وَجَرَيْنَ بِهِم بِرِيحٍ طَيِّبَةٍ وَفَرِحُوا بِهَا جَاءَتْهَا رِيحٌ عَاصِفٌ وَجَاءَهُمُ الْمَوْجُ مِن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ أُحِيطَ بِهِمْ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ لَئِنْ أَنجَيْتَنَا مِنْ هَٰذِهِ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

Translation:

It is He who enables you to travel on the land and sea until when the ships sail with them when a fair wind has risen and rejoicing therein are seaside they are struck by a storm wind, and there comes upon them the waves coming from every direction and think that they are enclosed, then they turn to Allah sincerely, ‘If You would save us from this we will indeed be among the thankful.’
(Surah Yunus, 10:22)

This verse further illustrates all the aspects of cities of safety and submission to Allah when in need while travelling, including areas of danger. It reminds us of Allah’s power and to ask for his assistance whenever we travel, whether before something good happens to us or when facing a calamity.

The Dua for a Traveller in Arabic and English

Several supplications are usually prayed as travellers embark on a trip. The most well-known Dua for a Traveller is the one the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to recite when setting out on a journey:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَىٰ، 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, grant us al-Ri’a and al-Taqwa and make our deeds in this journey auspicious in Your sight. Oh Allah, make the journey easy for us and shorten the distance for us. O Allah, you are the travelling companion and the protector of the household. O Allah, I am sparing from You the hardship of the journey, the evil of the omen, and from home, which has been ruined in our absence.

This comprehensive dua seeks Allah’s blessings in multiple aspects of the journey:

• Righteousness and Piety: Supplicating to Allah to lead us in the path of righteousness the entire journey.
• Ease of Travel: Humble-mindedness and begging the journey to be made easy and comfortable.
• Protection of Loved Ones: This is the way of leaving one’s family and property in the care of Allah.
• Refuge from Hardships: Travel is full of challenges and sometimes trouble at unforeseen moments.

Additional Dua When Mounting the Means of Transport

Before beginning the journey, whether by car, plane, or any other means of transportation, it is also recommended to recite the following dua:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ

Translation:

Glory is to Him who has subjected this to us – and we could never have it by our efforts.” But actually, we will definitely return to our Lord’.’
(Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:13-14)

This dua is a prompt to Allah to make our journeys easy. It is also a pointer to the fact that, eventually, we are all returning to Allah.

Advantages of Reciting Dua for Travel at The Time Of Journey

• Protection from Harm: On our travels, frustrating situations like accidents, delays, or tiredness always occur. Whenever we read Dua for a traveller, we seek Allah’s protection from all the odds and grace for a safe journey.
• Peace of Mind: People often get stressed, especially during long journeys. Through dua, people can seek comfort and relaxation because we leave our fate in the hands of Allah.
• Barakah (Blessings) in the Journey: When making dua, one invites Allah’s blessings into any journey they are undertaking. This can reflect itself in comfort and pleasant events during the specified trip.
• Remembrance of Allah (SWT): Like any other activity, travel should also be among the activities people remember Allah. Performing dua makes us always related to Allah; wherever we are, we call Him to provide us mercy and obey His commands.
• Strengthening Faith: Continuously chanting dua in passages makes trusting Allah, the Almighty, and our Divinely Appointed Guardian easier. He will keep pointing out that wherever we are and whatever we are doing, His will is the determinant, and we are dependent on Him for protection and achievement.

Conclusion

The Dua for a Traveller is potentially a short and magnificent Dua that reminds us that we have left our homes and remained spiritually tied to them whether we are travelling far or near. The message pinpoints that even everything around us is a mystery just waiting to happen; the only SWT) is mercy, protection, and favours. Both are the only constant big and small journeys and when this dua is repeated, it means that everything we experience is guided by and protected by Allah.

We would like to remind every Muslim to read these supplications at least once during their trips to Kanzolquran. Our website, Kanzolquran.org, provides more information on the role of dua, the teachings of the Quran, and how they can be used in our lives.

I pray that none of our travel turns out otherwise and that our journey becomes a means of progress and a bounty from Allah (SWT). Safe travels!