Essential Islamic prayers for travelers seeking Allah's protection and blessings during journeys by land, air, or sea.
Travel in Islam is considered an act of worship when done with the right intention. Whether for Hajj, Umrah, seeking knowledge, visiting family, or earning halal livelihood, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us specific duas to ensure our journeys are blessed, protected, and safe.
These travel duas serve as a spiritual shield, reminding us that Allah is our protector wherever we go. They help maintain our connection with Allah during travel and ensure that our journey becomes a means of earning rewards and blessings.
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun
"Glory be to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could not have subdued it ourselves. And indeed, to our Lord we will return."
Quran 43:13-14
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى
Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadhal-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-'amali ma tarda
"O Allah, we ask You for righteousness and piety in this journey of ours, and we ask You for deeds which please You."
Muslim
اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ
Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha watwi 'anna bu'dah
"O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance."
Muslim
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ
Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safar, wal-khalifatu fil-ahl
"O Allah, You are our companion in the journey and the guardian of our family."
Muslim
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
A'udhu bi kalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq
"I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created."
Muslim
آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
Ayibuna ta'ibuna 'abiduna li Rabbina hamidun
"We return, repentant, worshipping and praising our Lord."
Bukhari & Muslim
Recite the travel dua when starting the engine and Bismillah when beginning to move.
"Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana..."
Recite the dua during takeoff and landing. Remember Allah during turbulence.
"Allahumma inna nas'aluka..."
Remember the dua of Prophet Nuh (AS) when boarding ships or boats.
"Bismillahi majreha wa mursaha"
The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged traveling with companions for safety and support.
The Prophet (PBUH) preferred to begin journeys on Thursday when possible.
Perform 2 rakaat nafl prayer before departing from home.
Ask forgiveness from family and friends before leaving.
Give sadaqah before traveling for protection and blessings.
Keep family informed about your travel plans and arrival.
"O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and what they shade, Lord of the seven earths and what they carry, Lord of the devils and what they misguide, Lord of the winds and what they scatter. I ask You for the good of this town, the good of its people and the good of what is in it."
"La ilaha illallah ul-Azeem ul-Haleem, La ilaha illallah Rabbul Arshil Azeem, La ilaha illallah Rabbus-samawati wa Rabbul-ardi wa Rabbul-Arshil-Kareem"
(None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Mighty, the Forbearing...)
During travel exceeding 48 miles (77 km), you may shorten the four-rakaat prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, Isha) to two rakaats. This is a mercy from Allah for travelers.