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 عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ اللَّهُمَّ أَنتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الأَهْلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالأَهْلِ وَلَدٌ إِذَا رَجَعْتُ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِي.
Glory be to Allah Who has subjected this (conveyance) to us, and we were not able to subdue it. And surely, we are to return to our Lord. O Allah, we ask You on this journey all good and piety, and such deeds as please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and let us cover its distance. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the One Who will look after the family and property. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of the journey, from seeing a miserable sight, and from evil conditions of time, and from meeting a bad fate with wealth and family when I return to my family.
Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinina wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibuna. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadha al-birra wat-taqwa wa minal 'amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha watwi 'anna bu'dahu. Allahumma Antas-sahibu fis-safari wal-khalifatu fil-ahli. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'is-safari wa ka'abatil-mandhari wa su'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahli.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is recited when embarking on a journey. It covers seeking Allah's help for a good journey, ease of travel, protection for the family left behind, and crucially, refuge from hardship, unpleasant sights, and adverse outcomes upon return, which can include falling in with bad company or witnessing negative consequences due to such associations.
How to Read
Recite this dua upon starting your journey, ideally when you have mounted your transport or are about to depart. Pause and reflect on each part of the dua, understanding its meaning and sincerely asking Allah for His protection and assistance. The portion asking for refuge from 'evil conditions of time' and 'meeting a bad fate' can be specifically focused upon with the intention of avoiding negative influences and harmful companions.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful supplication encapsulates the traveler's reliance on Allah. By asking for protection from 'su'il-munqalabi' (evil outcome/return), the dua implicitly guards against negative influences encountered during travel, including the company one keeps. It ensures that the journey, and the return, are characterized by goodness and contentment, free from the pitfalls of bad associations. The dua also reminds us of Allah's constant presence and care, both during our travels and for our loved ones at home.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Abdullah bin 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them): When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) set out on a journey, he would say takbir three times and then say: 'Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinina wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibuna. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadha al-birra wat-taqwa wa minal 'amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha watwi 'anna bu'dahu. Allahumma Antas-sahibu fis-safari wal-khalifatu fil-ahli. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'is-safari wa ka'abatil-mandhari wa su'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahli.' And when he returned, he would recite these words too and say: 'Ayibuna ila Rabbina ta'ibuna 'abiduna li-Rabbina hamiduna.' (We are returning, repenting to our Lord, worshipping and praising our Lord.) [Sahih Muslim 1342]