اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ، وَالْحَوْرِ بَعْدَ الْكَوْرِ، وَدَعْوَةِ الْمَظْلُومِ، وَسُوءِ الْمَنْظَرِ فِي الأَهْلِ وَالْمَالِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, and from the sorrow of returning, and from the loss after fullness, and from the call of the oppressed, and from seeing misfortune in my family and my property.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'is-safari, wa ka'abatil-munqalabi, wal-hawri ba'dal-kawri, wa da'watil-mazhloomi, wa su'il-mandhari fil-ahli wal-mali.
When to Read
This powerful dua is recommended to be recited when embarking on a journey, whether it's a long trip or a short one. It's a comprehensive plea for protection against various difficulties one might face while traveling, including physical exhaustion (wa'tha'is-safari), the sadness of returning to potential problems (ka'abatil-munqalabi), reversing from a state of well-being to hardship (al-hawri ba'dal-kawri), the harm that can come from injustice (da'watil-mazhloomi), and witnessing any negative changes concerning one's family or possessions upon return (su'il-mandhari fil-ahli wal-mali). Reciting it before departure is a way to proactively seek Allah's safeguard.
How to Read
This dua should be recited with sincerity and a clear intention of seeking Allah's protection. It is generally recited when one is about to commence their journey. Some scholars mention reciting it three times, while others advise reciting it once with full concentration. The key is to feel the weight of each word and understand the comprehensive protection being sought from the Almighty.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua offers broad protection from many of the potential adversities of travel. It encompasses seeking refuge from: 1. **Hardships of Travel (وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ):** This refers to the physical and mental fatigue, difficult terrain, bad weather, and general discomfort associated with journeys. 2. **Sorrow of Returning (كَآبَةِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ):** This is the grief or sadness that might accompany returning home, perhaps due to unmet expectations, loss, or finding things changed for the worse. 3. **Loss After Fullness (الْحَوْرِ بَعْدَ الْكَوْرِ):** This signifies a reversal from a state of abundance or well-being to one of scarcity or hardship, like losing wealth or status after having it. 4. **Call of the Oppressed (دَعْوَةِ الْمَظْلُومِ):** Seeking refuge from becoming a victim of injustice, whose prayers against the oppressor can be very potent. 5. **Misfortune in Family and Property (سُوءِ الْمَنْظَرِ فِي الأَهْلِ وَالْمَالِ):** This covers seeing any negative or harmful situations befall one's loved ones or possessions while away. By reciting this, a traveler is asking Allah to preserve their family, wealth, and overall well-being throughout the journey and upon return.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to seek refuge in Allah from the hardships of travel, sorrow of returning, the Day of Judgment, and the greatest of divine decrees. And he used to say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, and from the sorrow of returning, and from the loss after fullness, and from the call of the oppressed, and from seeing misfortune in my family and my property.'