سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَىٰ اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ لَنَا بُعْدَهُ اللَّهُمَّ أَنتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ
Glory be to Him Who has subjected this (transport) to us, and we could never have accomplished it by ourselves. And indeed, we are to our Lord to return. O Allah, we ask You in this journey of ours for goodness and piety, and for such deeds as please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us, and make its distance short for us. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Successor in the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of the journey, and from a sorrowful sight, and from bad circumstances in wealth and family.
Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinina wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadha al-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-'amal ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha, w-atwi lana bu'dah. Allahumma Antas-Sahibu fis-safari wal-Khalifatu fil-ahl. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'is-safari, wa ka'abatil-mandhari, wa sui'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for when one begins a journey, whether by land, sea, or air. It is recited at the point of departure, as the journey commences. The context of travel can expose one to various challenges and temptations, and this supplication encapsulates seeking Allah's help for a safe and righteous journey, thereby protecting oneself from potential sins or shortcomings that might arise.
How to Read
This dua is ideally recited when one is seated in their mode of transport, or just before departing from their home. It is recommended to recite it with sincerity and conviction, reflecting on the meaning of each phrase. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this to his companions, highlighting its comprehensive nature for seeking Allah's protection and guidance during travel. It is also recommended to recite it aloud, especially when traveling with others, so they can also learn and benefit.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua offers manifold benefits. Firstly, it expresses gratitude to Allah for providing the means of travel ('sakhkhara lana'). Secondly, it seeks Allah's favor for righteous deeds ('al-birra wat-taqwa') during the journey, which can include abstaining from sins and engaging in acts of obedience. It asks for the journey to be made easy ('haawwin 'alayna') and the distance shortened ('atwi lana bu'dah'), reflecting our reliance on Allah for overcoming worldly obstacles. Crucially, it acknowledges Allah as our protector in our absence from home ('Antas-Sahibu fis-safari wal-Khalifatu fil-ahl'). Finally, it seeks refuge ('a'udhu bika') from specific difficulties like the hardships ('wa'tha') of travel, unpleasant sights ('ka'abatil-mandhari'), and adverse outcomes concerning one's family and possessions ('sui'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl'). By reciting this, one actively seeks Allah's protection against potential sins and difficulties that can arise during travel.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and his companions used to recite the following upon returning from a journey: سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَىٰ اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ لَنَا بُعْدَهُ اللَّهُمَّ أَنتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ (Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinina wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadha al-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-'amal ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha, w-atwi lana bu'dah. Allahumma Antas-Sahibu fis-safari wal-Khalifatu fil-ahl. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'is-safari, wa ka'abatil-mandhari, wa sui'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl.) Translation: Glory be to Him Who has subjected this (transport) to us, and we could never have accomplished it by ourselves. And indeed, we are to our Lord to return. O Allah, we ask You in this journey of ours for goodness and piety, and for such deeds as please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us, and make its distance short for us. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Successor in the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of the journey, and from a sorrowful sight, and from bad circumstances in wealth and family.