Travel Dua — Full Arabic Text, Meaning & the Dua for Returning

The travel dua, narrated in Sahih Muslim from Ibn Umar: when the Prophet ﷺ set out on a journey he said Allahu Akbar three times, then 'Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun…' — the full Arabic text is below. It is said when setting off by car or plane, and on returning you add 'Ayibuna ta'ibuna 'abiduna li-rabbina hamidun'.

The travel dua in Arabic

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.

(Sahih Muslim)

Meaning of the travel dua

Glory be to Him who has subjected this to us, for we could never have done so ourselves, and to our Lord we shall return. O Allah, we ask You on this journey for righteousness and piety, and deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy and shorten its distance. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Guardian of the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardship of travel, distressing sights, and an ill return in wealth and family.

Dua for a journey by car or plane

It is the same dua for every means of travel — said once you are seated, before setting off.

Dua for returning from travel

آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ.

(Sahih Muslim)

Meaning: Returning, repenting, worshipping, and praising our Lord — added to the full travel dua on the way home.

Farewell duas

The traveller says 'Astawdi'ukumullah alladhi la tadi'u wada'i'uh' — I leave you in the care of Allah, whose trusts are never lost. Those staying say 'Astawdi'ullaha dinaka wa amanataka wa khawatima 'amalik' — I entrust to Allah your faith, your trust, and the end of your deeds.

A traveller's dua is answered

The Prophet ﷺ said three supplications are answered without doubt, among them the supplication of the traveller (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi) — so use the road to make dua.

The full journey in order

Leaving home → riding the car → setting off (the travel dua) → returning (the travel dua + 'ayibuna').

Internal link → Dua when leaving home

Internal link → Dua for riding a car

Before you set off

Dua goes hand in hand with preparation — check tyre pressure, oil and coolant, and valid insurance. For long family road trips, specific models such as the Toyota Land Cruiser GXR3, the

Toyota Fortuner Diesel, and the

Nissan X-Trail 7-seater balance capability and space. Browse the full

Toyota lineup at Alromaih Cars to pick the right one for your trip.

Internal link → Best cars for long trips

FAQ

What is the travel dua?

The supplication narrated in Sahih Muslim beginning with three takbirs and 'Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha', given in full above.

When is it said?

When setting off on a journey, once seated in the vehicle.

Who says it?

Every traveller — driver and passengers; one may say it aloud while the others say ameen.

What is said on return?