The word Safar derives from the Arabic wordسفر, which refers to travelling, journey, tour, etc. Travelling is considered an opportunity to explore the world, seek knowledge, and engage in trade or business. Islam encourages going on a journey as long as it is done safely and lawfully. 

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ teaches us several dua for Safar to make our journey safer in-sha-Allah. The main reasons for reciting traveling dua are seeking Allah’s guidance, blessings, and protection before starting the journey. So, every Muslim should say these duas as sunnah practices. Let’s reveal the essential duas for transportation.

List of Dua for Safe Travel

There are numerous Safar dua mentioned in Quran and hadith. You will find most of these dua in the Hisnul Muslim app. However, considering the importance of supplications of travelling, we’re publishing these duas in one article.

Praying Two Raka’h Before Leaving Home

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said to pray two raka’h Sunnah prayers before you start the journey. The following hadith supports it.

“When you leave your house, perform two raka’h and this will safeguard you against evil. When you enter your home, perform another two raka’h, and this will safeguard you against evil.” [Musnad Al-Bazzar]

You can perform this Salah by adding any sura with sura Fatihah. But, in the book of Al-Majmu’ Imam Nawawi mentioned reciting sura Al-Kafirun and sura Al-Ikhlas with sura Fatihah in the first and second raka’h respectively.

Supplication After Leaving the House

بِسمِ اللَّهِ، توَكَّلتُ على اللَّهِ، لا حَولَ ولا قوَّةَ إلَّا باللَّهِ، يقالُ لَهُ: كُفيتَ، ووُقيتَ، وتنحَّى عنهُ الشَّيطانُ

Transliteration: Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘alAllah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah

Meaning: In the Name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah; there is no might or power except by Allah.

Anas bin Malik (RA) reported that, The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever says (upon leaving his house), this Dua it will be said to him: ‘You have been sufficed and protected, and the devil will go far away from him. [Jami At-Tirmidhi]

Dua When Ascending or Descending

Ibn ‘Umar (RA) reported: Whenever the Prophet ﷺ and his army ascended a height, they would proclaim: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest),” and when they climbed down, they would proclaim: “Subhan Allah (Allah is free from imperfection).” [Riyah As Salihin] 

Supplication For Travelling

Say three times:

اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

Transliteration: Allaahu Akbar

Meaning: Allah is the greatest.

..and then say:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِيْ سَخَّرَ لَنَا هٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِيْنَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُوْنَ

Transliteration: Subhaanal-lathee sakhkhara lanaa haathaa wa maa kunnaa lahu muqrineen. Wa ‘innaa ‘ilaa Rabbinaa lamunqaliboon.

Meaning: Glory is to Him Who has provided this for us though we could never have had it by our efforts. Surely, unto our Lord we are returning.

Then,

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِيْ سَفَرِنَا هٰذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى، اَللّٰهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هٰذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ، اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيْفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ

Transliteration: Allaahumma ‘innaa nas’aluka fee safarinaa haathal-birrawattaqwaa, waminal-‘amalimaa tardhaa, Allaahumma hawwin ‘alaynaa safaranaa haathaa watwi ‘annaa bu’dahu, Allaahumma ‘Antas-saahibu fis-safari, walkhaleefatu fil-‘ahli,

Meaning: O Allah, we ask You on this our journey for goodness and piety, and for works that are pleasing to You. O Allah, lighten this journey for us and make its distance easy for us. O Allah, You are our Companion on the road and the One in Whose care we leave our family.

Then say,

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوْءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ

Transliteration: Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika min wa’thaa’is-safari, wa ka’aabanl-mandhari, wa soo’il-munqalabi fil-maaliwal’ahli.

Meaning: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from this journey’s hardships, and from the wicked sights in store and from finding our family and property in misfortune upon returning.

[Sahih Muslim]

Another Dua

Abdullah ibn Sarjis (RA) reported that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ went on journey he would say:

اللهُمَّ أنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِيْ السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيْفَةُ فَيْ الْأَهْلِ. اللهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمُنْقَلِبِ، وَ مِنْ الْحَوْرِ بَعْدَ الْكَوْنِ، وَ مِنْ دَعْوَةَ الْمَظْلومَ، وَ مِنْ سُوْءِ الْمَنْظَرِ فِيْ الْأَهْلِا وَ الْمَالِ.

Transliteration: Allāhumma Anta-s-Sāhibu fi-s-safar, wa-l-Khalīfatu fi-l-ahl. Allāhumma innī a’ūdhu bika min wa‘thā’i-s-safar, wa ka’ābati-l-munqalab, wa mina-l-hawri ba’da-l-kawn, wa min da’wati-l-mazlūm, wa min sū’i-l-manẓari fī-l-ahli wa-l-māl.

Meaning: O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Deputy among the family. O Allah I seek Your protection from difficulties on the journey, sadness on returning, infidelity after faith, beseeching You as an oppressed person, and from evil befalling my wealth or family.

[Jami At-Tirmidhi, Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan An-Nasai]

When the Mounted Animal (or Means of Transport) Stumbles

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ

Transliteration: Bismillah

Meaning: With the Name of Allah

[Sunan Abu Dawud]

Dua for Boarding Upon Ship or Animal

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ مَجْر۪ىٰهَا وَمُرْسَىٰهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَغَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ 

Bismi-llāhi majrāhā wa mursāhā, inna Rabbī la-Ghafūrur-Raḥīm.

And he said, “Board it! In the Name of Allah, it will sail and cast anchor. Surely my Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Al Quran, Sura Hud, 11: 41]

Dua of the Traveler for the Resident

أَسْتَوْدِعُكُمُ اللّٰهَ الَّذِيْ لَا تَضِيْعُ وَدَائِعُهُ

Transliteration: ‘Astawdi’ukumul-laahal-lathee laa tadhee’u wadaa’i’uhu.

Meaning: I leave you in the care of Allah, as nothing is lost that is in His care.

[Musnad Ahmad, Ibn Majah]

Dua of the Resident for the Traveller

أَسْتَوْدِعُ اللّٰهَ دِيْنَكَ، وَأَمَانَتَكَ، وَخَوَاتِيْمَ عَمَلِكَ

Transliteration: ‘Astawdi’ullaaha deenaka, wa ‘amaanataka, wa khawaateema ‘amalika.

Meaning: I leave your religion in the care of Allah, as well as your safety, and the last of your deeds.

[Jami At-Tirmidhi]

Or,

زَوَّدَكَ اللّٰهُ التَّقْوَى، وَغَفَرَ ذَنْبَكَ، وَيَسَّرَ لَكَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ مَا كُنْتَ

Transliteration: Zawwadakal-laahut-taqwaa, wa ghafara thanbaka, wa yassara lakal-khayra haythu maa kunta.

Meaning: May Allah give you piety as your provision, forgive your sins, and make goodness easy for you wherever you are.

[Jami At-Tirmidhi]

Dua While Travelling

Stopping or Lodging Somewhere

Khawlah binte Hakim As-Sulaimiyyah (RA) reported that The Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever enters at a place, and then says the following dua, nothing would harm him until he makes his leave from that place.

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ‏

Transliteration: A’uzu bikalimatillahit-tammati min syarri ma khalaq

Meaning: I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what is created.

[Sahih Muslim, Riyad As Salihin]

Or,

Umar ibn al-Khattab reported that when the Prophet of Allah ﷺ was travelling, as night was approaching he would say:

يَا أَرْضُ ربِّي وربُّكِ اللهُ، أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شَرِّكِ وشَرِّ مَا فِيكِ، وَشَرِّ مَا خُلِقَ فِيكِ، وَشَرِّ مَا يَدُبَّ عَلَيْكِ، أَعُوذُ باللهِ مِنْ أَسَدٍ وأَسْوَدَ، وَمِنَ الْحَيَّةِ وَالْعَقْرَبِ، ومِنْ سَاكِنِ الْبَلَدِ وَمِنْ والِدٍ وَمَا وَلَدَ.

Transliteration: Yā arḍu Rabbī wa Rabbuki-llāh. A‘ūdhu bi-llāhi min sharriki wa sharri mā fīk, wa sharri mā khuliqa fīk, wa sharri mā yadibbu ‘alayk wa a‘ūdhu bi-llāhi min asadin wa aswad, wa min al-ḥayyati wa-l-‘aqrab, wa min sākini-l-balad, wa min wālidin wa mā walad.

Meaning: O Earth, my Lord and yours is Allah. I seek protection in Allah from your evil and the evil that is in you, and the evil that has been created in you, and the evil of that which crawls on you. I seek protection in Allah from lions, black things, snakes, scorpions, and the inhabitants of the land, parents and offspring alike.

[Sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan An Nasai]

Dua When Experiencing Difficulties During Travel

During the journey time, you may face different kinds of difficulties. In those cases, it’s recommended to seek Allah’s forgiveness by saying ‘Istigfar’ (Astaghfirullah). You can also do other Dhikr, even pray Salah, and make sincere Dua to Allah to seek Allah’s mercy.

Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) reported that Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever increases his prayers for forgiveness (i.e. Astaghfirullah), Allah will grant him relief from every worry, a way out from every hardship, and provide for him in ways he does not expect.” [Musnad Ahmad]

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ mentions the significance of making dua during travelling in the following hadith,

“Three supplications are answered without a doubt: The supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveler, and the supplication of the parent for his child.” [Jami At-Tirmidhi]

Prayer of the Traveler as Dawn Approaches

سَمَّعَ سَامِعٌ بِحَمْدِ اللّٰهِ، وَحُسْنِ بَلَائِهِ عَلَيْنَا، رَبَّنَا صَاحِبْنَا، وَأَفْضِلْ عَلَيْنَا، عَائِذًا بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ النَّارِ

Transliteration: Sami’a saami’un bihamdillaahi wa husni balaa’ihi ‘alaynaa. Rabbanaa saahibnaa, wa ‘afdhil ‘alaynaa ‘aa’ithan billaahi minan-naar.

Meaning: He Who listens has heard that we praise Allah for the good things He gives us. Our Lord, be with us and bestow Your favor upon us. I seek the protection of Allah from the Fire.

[Sahih Muslim]

Dua Upon Reaching Destination

Dua When Approaching a Town or Village

Suhayb (RA) that the Prophet ﷺ did not enter or see any village without saying the following dua

رَّبِّ أَنزِلْنِى مُنزَلًا مُّبَارَكًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْمُنزِلِينَ

Transliteration: Rabbi anzilnī munzalān mubārakān wa anta khayru-l-munzilīn.

Meaning: O Allah, let me disembark with a blessed disembarking, and You are the best of those who cause to disembark.

[Al-Quran, Sura Al-Mu’minun, 23: 29]

Supplication Before Entering Your Place

Suhaib (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ would say upon looking at the place (town/village) he wishes to enter:

اللّـهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّـمَوَاتِ السّـبْعِ وَمَا أَظْلَلْنَ، وَرَبَّ الأَرَاضِيـنَ السّـبْعِ وَما أقْلَلْنَ، وَرَبَّ الشَّيَـاطِينِ وَمَا أَضْلَلْنَ، وَرَبَّ الرِّياحِ وَمَا ذَرَيْـنَ، أَسْـأَلُـكَ خَيْـرَ هذهِ الْقَـرْيَةِ وَخَيْـرَ أَهْلِـهَا، وَخَيْـرَ مَا فِيْهَا، وَأَعُـوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَـرِّها وَشَـرِّ أَهْلِـها، وَشَـرِّ مَا فِيْهَا 

Transliteration: Allahumma rabbas samawatis sab’i wa ma azlalna, wa rabbal ardinas sab’i wa ma aqlalna, wa rabbash-shayatini wa ma adlalna, wa rabbar riyahi wa ma zaraina, as’aluka khaira hadzihil qaryah wa khaira ahliha, wa khaira ma fiha, wa a’udzubika min sharriha wa sharri ahliha, wa sharri ma fiha.

Meaning: O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and all that they envelope, Lord of the seven earths and all that they carry, Lord of the devils and all whom they misguide, Lord of the winds and all whom they whisk away. I ask You for the goodness of this village, the goodness of its inhabitants, and for all the goodness found within it, and I take refuge with You from the evil of this village, the evil of its inhabitants, and from all the evil found within it.

[Mustadrak Al-Hakim]

Supplication Upon Returning Home 

آيبونَ تائبونَ عابدونَ لربِّنا حامِدون

Transliteration: Ayibun, ta’ibun, ‘abidun, liRabbina hamidun

Meaning: We return, in repentant, worshipping, and praising our Lord

[Sahih Muslim]

Dhikr of Return from Travel

When the Prophet ﷺ returned from a battle or Hajj, he used to say three times:

اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

Transliteration: Allaahu Akbar

Meaning: Allah is the greatest.

Then he ﷺ said,

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ, لَهُ الْمُلْكُ, وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ, وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ, ايِبُوْنَ, تَاِبُوْنَ, َابِدُوْنَ, لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُوْنَ, صَدَقَ اللّّهُ وَعْدَهُ, وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ, وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ

Transliteration: La ila-ha illallah-hu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu, wahua ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir, a-ibuna, ta-ibuna, ‘a-biduna, li rabbina ha-midoon. Sadaqballa-hu wa’dahu, wa nasara ‘abdahu wa hazamal ahzaba wahdahu

Meaning: There is no God except Allah alone, He has no partner; His is the kingdom, all the praise; And He has power over all things. We are returners, penitents, worshipers and praisers of our Lord. Allah has fulfilled His promise, He has helped His servants, and He alone has defeated all the opposing factions.

[Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim]

Prayer Upon Returning Home 

After returning home, it’s Sunnah to pray two raka’h Salah.

“When you leave your house, perform two raka’h and this will safeguard you against evil. When you enter your home, perform another two raka’h and this will safeguard you against evil.” [Musnad Al-Bazzar]

Conclusion

Travelling is a necessary part of life. As Muslims, we should follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ during Safar. You may be confused to see lots of dua in the list. Actually, Allah’s Messenger ﷺ used to say different dua during travelling. But you can start with some basic ones. And try to memorize and practice more duas as much as you can. May Allah makes our journeys safer, Ameen.