Allah the Almighty created this world and everything in it for His beloved creation, us the “humans”. He made us Ashraful Makhlukat which means we have a dominion over all other creations created by His magnificence. I share the opinion of many that this world and the purpose of our existence is simply to gain knowledge and praise Allah; traveling to distant lands and exploring their culture, observing their sites and learning about them is also part of gaining knowledge. Our beloved Prophet once said:

“Strive to gain knowledge, even if you have to travel to China”

In the times of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), travelling was indeed a daunting challenge.  There were no roads, there was no bus service and surely there were no airplanes. In those times the preferred means of travel were either camels or horses. Today however, travelling is much simpler; the entire world has become one big neighborhood where one can zip around with relative ease. Although times have changed, and travelling has become simple, but there are rules to travel which should not be ignored by the Muslim traveler.

Islam is a complete code of life, it has laid down rules and guidelines for all aspects of an individual’s life, from something as simple as entering a house to something as complicated as child birth. Islam has also defined guidelines for travel, which if followed properly result in Allah’s blessings and prosperity during the travel. When a Muslim is going for Hajj, he must make sure that he has left his family enough rations to last while he is on the journey; the traveler should also ask for forgiveness from those around him and he should clear his debt (loans) that he owes to others.

The reason why Islam specified these guidelines is to perhaps take into account the unforeseen events that might unfold during the journey. There are specific Dua’s which a Muslim should recite before embarking on the journey to call for His blessings and protection, for He is the “All Seeing” and “All Knowing”.

Dua to recite when commencing a journey:

Bismillahi,aamantu billahi, wa tawakkaltu allallahi, ma-sha-allah, la haula wala quawwata illa billah.

Allahumma ahadhni wahfadh ma ma`ee wa ballighnee wa balligh ma ma ma`ee bi blalaghikalhusn, billahi astaftihu wa billahi astanjihu wa bi muhammadin sallallahu alaiyhi wa aalihi atawajjahu.  Allahukka sahhil lee kulla huzoonatin wa dhallil lee kulla huzoonatin wa dhallil lee kulla su`oobatin wa a`tinee mina khairi kullih akhtar mimma arju wasirf annee minash-sharri mimma uhad-diru fee aafi;yatin, ya arhamarrahimeen.

Translation:

In the name of Allah! I have placed faith in Allah and I have put full trust in Allah.  (It is) as Allah wills! There is no strength and no power save with Allah.

O Allah! Protect me and protect what is with me (my possessions), and deliver me (to my destination and delivery what is with me the best of your delivery.  By Allah I commence (my journey) and by Allah I seek to accomplish (the purpose of my journey) and by Muhammad (s.a.w.) I have set out (towards my destination). ‘O’ Allah make me overcome all (my grief); and make easy for me all difficulties; and give me more of goodness than I hope for; and keep away all evil of which I am apprehensive for my health.  O the most Merciful.

Dua to be recited when mounting the means of transport (car, bus, airplane, ship or any other)

Bismillahi walaa Quwwata illa Billahi.  Alhamdu lillahil-ladhee sakh-khara lana haadha wama kaunna lahu muqrineen.

Alhamdu lillahil-ladhee hadaana Lil-Islam wa allamanal –Qu`ran wa manna alayna bi muhammadin sallallhu alayhi wa aalihi.  Subhanal-ladhee sakh-khara lana haadha wama kunna lahu muqrineen, Wa inna illa rabbina lamuqaliboon.  Walhamdu lillahi rabbil aalameen.  Allahumma antal haamilu aladhdhahr walmusta`anu alal-amr.  Wa antas-sahibu fis-sfar wal khaleefatu fil-ahli wal-maali wal-walad.  Allahumma anta adhdee wa naasiree.

Translation:

In the name of Allah and there is no power save with Allah.  Praise be to Allah who made this (the means of transport) subservient to us, and we (by ourselves) could never have accomplished it.

All praise is for Allah Who guided us in Islam and taught us the Quran and graced us with Muhammad (s.a.w.).  Glory be to Allah Who made this (the means of transport) subservient to us, and we (by ourselves) could never have accomplished it.  And surely to our Lord we shall return.  All praise is for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.  `O` Allah! You are the Facilitator of the journey and the helper in the affair and you are the Companion in the journey, and the Successor (incharge of my) family, property and son.  `O` Allah! You are my supporter and my Helper to Victory.

Dua to be recited when entering a new town, city or village

Allahumma innee as-aluka khairaha wa a`oodhu bika min sharriha.  Allahumma habbibna ilaa ahliha wa habbib saalihi ahliha ilayna.

Translation:

O’ Allah! I beseech from you its (town, city or village) goodness and seek refuge in you from its wickedness.  ‘O’ Allah! let its inhabitants love us and let us love its virtous inhabitants.

Dua a Muslim traveler should recite while disembarking the mode of transport

Rabbee anzilnee manzilan mubarakan wa anta khairul-munzileen.

Translation:

O`My Lord! Cause me to disembark a blessed alighting and you are the Best of all who cause to alight.

Dua a Muslim traveler should recite once the journey is complete

Aa-iboona taa-iboona insha Allah aabi doona raki`oona saajidoona lirabbina haamidoon.  Allahumma lakal hamdu ala hifdhika iyyaya fee safaree wa hadharee.  Allahummaj`al aubatee haadhihi mubarakatan maimoonatan maqroonatan be taubatin nasoohin toojablee bihas-sa`adah ya Arhamar-Rahimeen.

Translation:

If Allah wills, we repent and seek pardon from Him; we worship Him and Him we bow and prostrate.  Our Lord we praise.  ‘O` Allah! Make this return (journey) of mine a blessed one, a fruitful one, associated with a sincere repentance; one that will make prosperity incumbent for me.  ‘O’ the Most Merciful.

If we observe, it takes roughly 60 minutes to complete all the five prayers; these Dua’s take less than five minutes each; but this short time spent for Allah brings about a reward that is simply priceless. A Muslim should always pray to Allah Almighty because He is the only one who can provide for us, He is the only one who can protect us and safeguard our interests. Although it is preferred if a Muslim learns the Quraan and all in it; however, even if one reads from a paper the rewards are guaranteed by the one true Sovereign.

Fee-aman-e-Allah and a happy Journey!

Richard Edwards
Richard Edwards has been blessed with a mind that is always open for knowledge and a soul that seems to have the sole purpose of enlightening others. A HR expert by profession with four years of experience in the field of Human Resources and a Masters degree in Business Administration, Richard was exposed to various facets of the human life; through his passionate creative writing he intends to broadcast his learning so that others may benefit from it.