سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
Glory be to Allah, Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have accomplished it by ourselves. And indeed, to our Lord we will return.
Subhanalladhee sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrineen. Wa inna ila Rabbina la munqaliboon.
When to Read
This beautiful dua is recited when encountering any means of transport or anything that makes travel easy, including seeing a flowing river or stream, especially if it's something that facilitates crossing or movement. It's a moment to pause and acknowledge Allah's power in making things accessible for us.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and awe. Focus on the meaning of glorifying Allah and recognizing that nothing is truly within our power without His will. It’s a reminder of our dependence on Him and our ultimate return to Him.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses gratitude for Allah's blessings in making things subservient to us, like the means of travel or natural resources that aid us. It reinforces the concept of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) by acknowledging Him as the sole provider and controller of all things. It also serves as a profound reminder of the transient nature of this world and our accountability in the Hereafter, connecting the physical experience of seeing a river to our spiritual journey.
Source & Authentication
The companion Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set out on a journey and mounted his she-camel, he would say 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the Greatest) three times. Then he would say: 'Glory be to Allah, Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have accomplished it by ourselves. And indeed, to our Lord we will return. O Allah, we ask You for goodness and piety in this journey, and for deeds that will please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and bring us closer to You and make us knowledgeable. I seek refuge in Allah from the hardships of this journey and from its sad experiences, and from seeing evil in the family or property. (When returning, he would say these words too and add: We return in repentance to our Lord, we do not waste, we do not disobey, we do not neglect, we do not regret).' (Sahih Muslim 1342) While the specific context is travel, the core sentiment of glorifying Allah for making things accessible and acknowledging our return to Him applies whenever we witness the power and provision of Allah in nature, such as a flowing river.