سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have accomplished it by ourselves. And indeed, to our Lord we will certainly return.
Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinina wa inna ila Rabbina la munqalibun.
When to Read
This dua is traditionally recited when embarking on a journey, particularly when mounting a vehicle (like a car, train, or plane) or setting off on foot for a significant distance. It is recited to invoke Allah's protection and acknowledge His power over our travel and our ultimate return.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and full awareness of its meaning. Understand that Allah is the one who facilitates all journeys and that our safety is entirely in His hands. It's meant to be said upon starting the journey itself, as you are physically beginning to move towards your destination.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a powerful affirmation of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) and reliance upon Him. By reciting it, we acknowledge that no journey is possible without Allah's enablement. It reminds us of our dependence on Him for safe passage and our eventual return to Him. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to instill a sense of humility and gratitude for the blessings of travel and to seek divine protection against the perils of the road.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both): When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mounted his camel for a journey, he would glorify Allah by saying 'Subhanallah' (Glory be to Allah) three times, and then he would say: 'Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinina wa inna ila Rabbina la munqalibun' (Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have accomplished it by ourselves. And indeed, to our Lord we will certainly return). Then he would say: 'Allahumma anta al-Sahib fi al-Safar wa al-Khalifat fi al-Ahli, Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'sa' al-Safar wa ka'bat al-Manzar wa su' al-Munqalabi fi al-Mali wa al-Ahli' (O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Guardian of the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardship of the journey, and from seeing a sad sight, and from the evil situation concerning property and family). And when he returned, he recited it and said these words, and then turned (towards home).