Dua for Travelling: Arabic, Transliteration and Meaning

Whether you are setting off for Umrah, a family holiday or the daily commute, the Prophet ﷺ taught a beautiful dua for the start of a journey. It praises Allah, asks for righteousness and ease, and places your family in His care while you are away.

The dua for travelling

Abdullah ibn Umar reported that when the Prophet ﷺ mounted his camel to set out on a journey, he said "Allahu Akbar" three times, then recited this dua (Sahih Muslim 1342):

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى، اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ

Transliteration

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadhal-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-'amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha watwi 'anna bu'dah. Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safar, wal-khalifatu fil-ahl. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'is-safar, wa ka'abatil-manzar, wa su'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl.

Meaning

Allah is the Greatest (three times). Glory be to the One who has made this subservient to us, for we could never have done it by ourselves, and to our Lord we will surely return. O Allah, we ask You on this journey for righteousness and piety, and for deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance for us. O Allah, You are our Companion on the journey and the One who looks after our family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, from distressing sights, and from returning to find harm in our wealth or family.

The first part comes directly from the Quran:

سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُۥ مُقْرِنِينَ ۝ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(Quran 43:13–14)

The dua for returning home

On the way home, the Prophet ﷺ recited the same dua and added (Sahih Muslim 1342):

آيِبُونَ، تَائِبُونَ، عَابِدُونَ، لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ

Ayibuna, ta'ibuna, 'abiduna, li Rabbina hamidun.
"We return, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord."

Short version for everyday journeys

If you cannot remember the full dua yet, start with the Quranic part: Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. It suits any car, bus, train or plane journey, and you can build up to the full version over time.

Sunnah etiquette for travelling

• Say goodbye to family and leave them in Allah's care.
• Make plenty of dua. The Prophet ﷺ included the traveller among the three whose duas are answered (Abu Dawud 1536).
• Say "Allahu Akbar" going up and "SubhanAllah" going down, as the Companions did when climbing and descending (Sahih al-Bukhari 2993).
• Learn the travel concessions. Islam allows travellers to shorten and combine certain prayers. Ask a scholar or your local mosque how this applies to your trip.
• Keep the Quran with you. A phone-friendly Quran PDF lets you keep up your daily reading in airports and on long journeys.

Going for Umrah? Read our step-by-step guide to performing Umrah.