Travelling

When Travelling #1

اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِيْ سَخَّرَ لَنَا هٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِيْنَ ، وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُوْنَ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِيْ سَفَرِنَا هٰذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَىٰ اَللّٰهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هٰذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ ، وَالْخَلِيْفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ ، وَسُوْءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِيْ الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, subḥāna-l-ladhī sakkhara lanā hādhā wa mā kunnā lahū muqrinīn, wa innā ilā rabbinā la-munqalibūn, Allāhumma innā nas’aluka fī safarinā hādhā-l-birra wa-t-taqwā, wa mina-l-ʿamali mā tarḍā, Allāhumma hawwin ʿalaynā safaranā hādhā wa-ṭ-wi’ ʿannā buʿdah, allāhumma Anta-ṣ-ṣāḥibu fi-s-safar, wa-l-khalīfatu fi-l-ahl, allāhumma innī aʿūdhu bika min waʿthāi-s-safar, wa kaābati-l-manẓar, wa sū’i-l-munqalabi fi-l-māli wa-l-ahl.

Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. How perfect is the One Who has given us control over this; we could not have done it by ourselves. Truly it is to our Lord that we are returning. O Allah, we ask You for piety, taqwā and deeds which You will be pleased with on this journey of ours. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and let us cover its distance swiftly. O Allah, You are our Companion on the journey and the One in Whose care we leave our family. O Allah, I seek Your protection from the difficulties of the journey, from distressing scenes, and from an ill-fated outcome with my wealth and family.

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would mount his camel for travel, he would say [the above]. (Muslim 1342)

When Travelling #2

سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي ، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ

Subḥānaka innī ẓalamtu nafsī, fa-ghfir lī, fa-innahu lā yaghfiru-dh-dhunūba illā Anta.

You are free from imperfection. I have wronged myself, so forgive me, because none but You can forgive sins.

ʿAlī (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) narrates that he saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say [the above] and laugh after that. I asked: Messenger of Allah ﷺ, at what are you laughing? He ﷺ replied: “Your Lord, Most High, is pleased with His servant when he says: ‘Forgive my sins’, knowing that no one forgives sins except Him. (Abū Dāwūd 2602)

Upon returning, add the following:

آئِبُوْنَ ، تَائِبُوْنَ ، عَابِدُوْنَ ، لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُوْنَ

Ā’ibūna tā’ibuna ʿābidūn, li rabbinā ḥāmidūn.

Returning, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord. (Muslim 1342)

When Dismounting

أَعُوْذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

Aʿūdhu bi kalimāti-l-llāhi-t-tāmmāti min sharri mā khalaq.

I seek protection in Allah’s perfect words from the evil of whatever He has created.

Khawlah bint Ḥākim (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhā) reported: “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: “Whoever dismounts at a place and then says [the above], nothing will harm him until he sets off again from that place.” (Muslim 2708)

When Entering Upon One’s Family

تَوْبًا تَوْبًا ، لِرَبِّنَا أَوْبًا ، لَا يُغَادِرُ عَلَيْنَا حَوْبًا

Tawban tawban, li-Rabbinā awban, lā yugādiru ḥawban.

Turning turning, to our Lord returning, not leaving behind any sin [unforgiven].

Ibn ʿAbbās (radiy Allāhū ‘anhumā) narrates that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned from a journey and went to his family, he would say [the above]. (Aḥmad 300)

Supplication of the Traveler for the Resident

أَسْتَوْدِعُكُمُ اللهَ الَّذِيْ لَا تَضِيْعُ وَدَائِعُهُ

Astawdiʿukumu-llāha-lladhī lā taḍīʿu wadā’iʿuh.

I leave you in the care of Allah, who does not allow anything entrusted to Him to be lost.

Abu Hurairah (radiy Allāhū ‘anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ bid me farewell and said [the above] (Ibn Mājah 2825)

Supplication of the Resident for the Traveler #1

أَسْتَوْدِعُ اللهَ دِيْنَكَ ، وَأَمَانَتَكَ ، وَخَوَاتِيْمَ عَمَلِكَ

Astawdiʿu-llāha dīnaka wa amānataka wa khawātīma ʿamalik.

I leave your religion, your trust and the last of your deeds in the care of Allah.

Ibn Umar (radiy Allāhū ‘anhumā) would say to a man if he intended to travel, “I bid you farewell as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would bid farewell. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would say [the above]. (Tirmidhī 3443) The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed when something is entrusted in the care of Allah, He protects it.” (Ibn Ḥibbān 2682)

Supplication of the Resident for the Traveler #2

زَوَّدَكَ اللَّهُ التَّقْوَى ، وَغَفَرَ ذَنْبَكَ ، وَيَسَّرَ لَكَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُمَا كُنْتَ

Zawwadaka-llāhu-t-taqwā, wa ghafara dhambak, wa yassara laka-l-khayra ḥaythuma kunt.

May Allah grant you Taqwa as your provision, and may He forgive your sin, and may He make goodness easy for you wherever you are.

Anas (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) said: “A man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: ‘I intend to undertake a journey, so give me provision. He said: ‘May Allah grant you Taqwa as your provision’ He said: ‘Give me more.’ He said: ‘And may He forgive your sin.’ He said: ‘Give me more, may my father and mother be sacrificed for you.’ He said: ‘And may He make goodness easy for you wherever you are.’” (Tirmidhī 3444)

Supplication of the Resident for the Traveler #3

اللَّهُمَّ اطْوِ لَهُ الْأَرْضَ وَهَوِّنْ عَلَيْهِ السَّفَرَ

Allāhumma-ṭ-wi lahu-l-arḍa wa hawwin ʿalayhi-s-safar.

O Allah, shorten the distance for him and make travel easy for him.

Abu Huraira (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) reported: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I intend to travel, so instruct me.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “You must be mindful of Allah and exalt him every time you ascend a height.” The man left and the Prophet said [the above]. (Tirmidhī 3445)

When Entering a Shop/Market

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ، يُحْيِيْ وَيُمِيْتُ ، وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوْتُ ، بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ ، وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ

Lā ilāha illā-llahu waḥdahū lā sharīka lah, lahu-l-mulku wa lahu-l-ḥamd, yuḥyī wa yumīt, wa Huwa Ḥayyun lā yamūt, bi yadihi-l-khayr, wa Huwa ʿalā kulli shay’in Qadīr.

There is no god but Allah. He is Alone and He has no partner. To Him Alone belong all sovereignty and all praise. He gives life and He gives death. He is Ever-Living and does not die. In His Hand is all good and He is over all things All-Powerful.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever enters the marketplace and says [the above], Allah shall record a million good deeds for him, wipe a million evil deeds away from him, and raise a million ranks for him.” (Tirmidhī 3429)

When Entering a Town or City

اَللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمٰوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَمَا أَظْلَلْنَ ، وَرَبَّ الْأَرْضِيْنَ السَّبْعِ وَمَا أَقْلَلْنَ ، ورَبَّ الشَّيَاطِيْنِ وَمَا أَضْلَلْنَ ، ورَبَّ الرِّيَاحِ وَمَا ذَرَيْنَ ، أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هٰذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ وَخَيْرَ أَهْلِهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا فِيْهَا ، وأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ أَهْلِهَا وَشَرِّ مَا فِيْهَا

Allāhumma Rabba-s-samāwāti-s-sabʿi wa mā aẓlaln, wa Rabba-l-arḍīna-s-sabʿi wa mā aqlaln, wa Rabba-sh-shayāṭīni wa-mā aḍlaln, wa Rabba-r-riyaḥi wa mā dharayn, as’aluka khayra hadhihi-l-qaryati wa khayra ahlihā wa khayra mā fīhā, wa aʿūdhu bika min sharrihā wa sharri ahlihā wa sharri mā fīhā.

O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and all that they shade, Lord of the seven earths and all that they carry, Lord of the devils and all that they lead astray, Lord of the winds and all that they scatter, I ask You for the good of this town, the good of its people, and whatever good is in it; and I seek Your protection from the evil of this town, the evil of its people, and whatever evil is in it.

Suhayb (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ never saw a vicinity he wanted to enter except that he said [the above]. (Nasā’ī in al-Sunan al-Kubrā 5/256, Ibn al-Sunnī 524)

When Night Falls on a Journey

يَا أَرْضُ ، رَبِّي وَرَبُّكِ اللَّهُ ، أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّكِ وَشَرِّ مَا فِيكِ ، وَشَرِّ مَا خُلِقَ فِيكِ ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَا يَدِبُّ عَلَيْكِ ، وَأَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ أَسَدٍ وَأَسْوَدَ ، وَمِنَ الْحَيَّةِ وَالْعَقْرَبِ ، وَمِنْ سَاكِنِ الْبَلَدِ ، وَمِنْ وَالِدٍ وَمَا وَلَدَ

Yā arḍu, Rabbī wa Rabbuki-llah, aʿūdhu bi-llāhi min sharrik, wa sharri mā fīk, wa sharri mā khuliqa fīk, wa min sharri mā yaddibbu ʿalayk, wa aʿūdhu bi-llāhi min asadin wa aswad, wa mina-l-hayyati wa-l-ʿaqrab, wa min sākini-l-balad, wa min wālidiw wa mā walad.

O Earth, your Lord and my Lord is Allah. I seek refuge in Allah from the evil (of your nights) and those evils created in you and the evil of that which crawls on you. I seek protection in Allah from the lions, black things, snakes, scorpions, the inhabitants of the land, parents and offspring alike.

ʿUmar b. Khaṭṭāb (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) reported: “When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was travelling, he would say [the above], when night was approaching. (Abū Dāwūd 2603)

When One is Unable to Keep Steady on a Conveyance

اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْهُ وَاجْعَلْهُ هَادِيًا مَهْدِيًّا

Allāhumma thab-bithu wa-jaʿalhu hādiyam mahdiyyā.

O Allah, make him steady and make him a guide who is guided.

Jarīr b. ʿAbdullāh al-Bajalī (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) narrated: “From the time I embraced Islam, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not prevent me from seeing him, nor did he see me except that he would smile. I complained to the Prophet ﷺ that I could not keep steady on a horse. He hit me on the chest with his hand and said [the above]. (Bukhārī 3036)

When Dawn Approaches

سَمَّعَ سَامِعٌ بِحَمْدِ اللَّهِ وَحُسْنِ بَلاَئِهِ عَلَيْنَا ، رَبَّنَا صَاحِبْنَا وَأَفْضِلْ عَلَيْنَا عَائِذًا بِاللَّهِ مِنَ النَّارِ

Samma‘a sāmi‘un bi-hamdi-llāhi wa husni balā’ihi ‘alaynā, Rabbanā sāhibnā wa afdil ‘alaynā ‘ā’idhan bi-llāhi mina-n-nār.

A listener listened to our praising Allah (for) His goodly trial of us. Our Lord! accompany us, guard us and bestow upon us Your grace. I am a seeker of refuge in Allah from the Fire.

Abū Hurayra (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) reported that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out on a journey in the morning, he used to say [the above]. (Muslim 7075)