اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ، وَالْحَوْرِ بَعْدَ الْكَوْرِ، وَدُعَاءِ الْمَظْلُومِ، وَسُوءِ الْمَنْظَرِ فِي الأَهْلِ وَالْمَالِ وَالْوَلَدِ.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, the sorrow of returning, [the lapse from] steadfastness after recovery, the supplication of the oppressed, and the evil sight regarding family, property, and children.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'is-safari, wa ka'abatil-munqalabi, wal-hawri ba'dal-kawri, wa du'a'il-madhloomi, wa su'il-mandhari fil-ahli wal-mali wal-walad.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for when you are about to embark on a journey, especially a long road trip. It's recited just before you set off, as you are leaving your home and entering the phase of travel. It's a comprehensive supplication asking Allah for protection against various potential difficulties associated with travel and returning home.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction. It's best recited once, as you are physically leaving your home or stepping into your vehicle. Picture yourself asking Allah for His protection and ease. The words convey seeking refuge, so imagine yourself actively doing so. Ensure you pronounce the Arabic clearly, even if you're learning.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful dua encompasses seeking refuge from several key anxieties related to travel: * **Hardships of travel (وعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ):** This covers physical exhaustion, difficult terrain, bad weather, and any other physical struggles one might face. * **Sorrow of returning (كَآبَةِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ):** This refers to the potential sadness or regret upon returning, perhaps due to losses incurred or the return to a challenging reality after a pleasant journey. * **[Lapse from] steadfastness after recovery (الْحَوْرِ بَعْدَ الْكَوْرِ):** This part is a bit nuanced, often interpreted as seeking refuge from reverting to a state of ignorance or error after being guided, or falling back into hardship after a period of ease. * **Supplication of the oppressed (دُعَاءِ الْمَظْلُومِ):** A potent reminder of the power of the dua of those who have been wronged. By seeking refuge, we ask Allah to protect us from becoming oppressors and also from facing such situations ourselves. * **Evil sight regarding family, property, and children (سُوءِ الْمَنْظَرِ فِي الأَهْلِ وَالْمَالِ وَالْوَلَدِ):** This is a comprehensive plea for protection for what we hold dear – our loved ones, our wealth, and our children. It's about seeking protection from any harm or negative outcomes concerning them, whether it's physical harm, loss, or spiritual decline.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mounted his camel for the journey, he would glorify Allah three times, and then say: 'Glory be to Allah. I have submitted myself to Allah. Glory be to Allah. There is no power except with Allah. Glory be to Allah. All praise is due to Allah.' Then he would say: 'O Allah, seeking the goodness of this journey and the goodness of what is in it, and seeking refuge in You from the hardship of this journey and the evil of what is in it.' Then he would say: 'O Allah, I have submitted myself to Allah, and I have entrusted my affair to Allah. There is no power except with Allah.' He said: 'What does a person say when he is on his mount?' He said: 'Then he should say the supplication mentioned above.' And Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught us to say: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardship of travel, the sorrow of returning, the lapse from steadfastness after recovery, the supplication of the oppressed, and the evil sight regarding family, property, and children.'