When people go out to observe the signs of the Oneness of Allah and observe the creation and beauty of the earth, they can safely and beautifully complete the journey. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught the Muslim ummah the Duah of the journey so that Allaah may grant people the Tawfeeq to complete the journey in a beautiful way.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانظُرُوا كَيْفَ بَدَأَ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ اللَّهُ يُنشِئُ النَّشْأَةَ الْآخِرَةَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
English translation: ‘(O Messenger!) Say: Travel in the land and observe how He originates creation. Then Allah will create the final creation. Surely Allah is Able to do all things is competent. (Surah Al-Ankabut: 20)
قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذَّبِينَ – هَـذَا بَيَانٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
English translation: Similar Mankinds [as yours] have passed on before you, so travel throughout the earth and observe how was the end of those who denied (the truth). This [Qur’an] is a clear description to [all] the people and a guidance and instruction for those who fear Allah. (Surah Al-Imran: 137-138)
Regarding travel, Sheikh Saadi (RA) said, “Two people are the greatest sages in the world.”
- Thinker or thoughtful person
- People who visit the world
The journey on earth has started from the time of Adam (peace be upon him) and it has continued till now and it will continue till the Day of Resurrection.
Hadith about Travel:
Arabic:
وَعَنْ عَلِيِّ بنِ رَبِيعَةَ، قَالَ: شَهِدتُّ عَلِيَّ بنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ رضي الله عنه، أُتِيَ بِدَابَّةٍ لِيَرْكَبَهَا، فَلَمَّا وَضَعَ رِجْلَهُ فِي الرِّكَابِ، قَالَ: بِسْمِ اللهِ، فَلَمَّا اسْتَوَى عَلَى ظَهْرِهَا، قَالَ: الحَمْدُ ِللهِ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنينَ، وَإنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: اَلحمْدُ للهِ، ثَلاثَ مَرَّاتٍ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: اَللهُ أكْبَرُ، ثَلاثَ مَرَّاتٍ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: سُبْحَانَكَ إنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي إِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، ثُمَّ ضَحِكَ، فَقِيلَ: يَا أَمِيرَ المُؤمِنِينَ، مِنْ أيِّ شَيْءٍ ضَحِكْتَ ؟ قَالَ: رَأيتُ النبيَّ ﷺ فَعَلَ كَمَا فَعَلْتُ ثُمَّ ضَحِكَ، فقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، مِنْ أيِّ شَيْءٍ ضَحِكْتَ ؟ قَالَ: « إنَّ رَبَّكَ تَعَالَى يَعْجَبُ مِنْ عَبدِهِ إِذَا قَالَ: اغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي، يَعْلَمُ أنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ غَيْرِي ». رواه أَبُو داود والترمذي، وَقَالَ:«حديث حسن»، وفي بعض النسخ:«حسن صحيح». وهذا لفظ أَبي داود
Meaning: It is narrated on the authority of Ali ibn Rabi’ah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: I was present with Ali ibn Abu Taleb (may Allah be pleased with him). When the vehicle was brought to him for the purpose of ascension and when he put his foot on the foot of the vehicle, he said Bismillah.
Then when he sat down on his back and sat up straight, he said, AlhamdulLillahillazi sakhkhara lana ha-ya ama kunna lahu muqbarinin. Ainna ila rabbina lamunkbalibun. ‘
Then he recited three times Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar. Then he recited, Subhanaka inni jalamatu nafsi fagfirli, innahu la yagfiruz junuba illa anta. ‘Then he smiled.
He was asked, O Amir al-mu’minin! Why did you smile He said, “I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he did what I did.”
Then he smiled. I asked, O Messenger of God! Why did you smile He said, “Your Lord, the Highest, marvels at His servant when he says, ‘Igfirli Junubi’ (meaning forgive me my sins.”)
He knows that no one can forgive sins except (Allah). (Abu Dawud 2602 and Tirmidhi 3448)
Dua to Recited in Travel:
Following this Sunnat while traveling by plane, car, bus, train:
- Saying ‘Bismillah’ while getting in the car. (Tirmidhi Sharif)
- Saying ‘Alhamdulillah’ after getting in the car. (Tirmidhi Sharif)
When Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out on a journey after he boarding the vehicle, the would recite this dua:
English transliteration: ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Subhanallaji chakhkharalana ha-ya wa-ma- kunna lahu mukrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamun kalibun.’
English translation: In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. He is the holiest being who has made the vehicle subject to me. We did not have the power to control this. Surely we are returning to our Lord. (Surah Zukhruf: verses 13-14)
After reciting Doa, say ‘Alhamdulillah’ three times and ‘Allahu Akbar’ three times. (Tirmidhi Sharif)
The last recitation of this prayer after getting in the vehicle ‘Subhanaka Inni jalamatu Nafsi Zulman Kachiran Fagfirli Innahu La Yagfiruzjunuba Illa Anta.’ (Tirmizi Sharif)
The another was recited-
English transliteration: Allahumma ilaika tawajjhahtu wa bika e’tasamtu; Allahummakfini Ma Ahammani Wa Ma La Ahtammu Bihi; Allahumma yaoyednit taqwa wagfirli jambi; Wa wajjhihani lilkhairi ainama tawajjhahtu.
English translation: O Allah! I look at you. I seek refuge in You. O, Allah! You are enough to help me with my important and general work. O, Allah! You adorn me with piety. Forgive my sins. Wherever I go, you lead me to welfare.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite one more excellent Dua before going out on Travel. The Dua is, ‘Allahumma hawin alaina safarna ha-ya, watoi anna bu’dahu, Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safari, wal khalifatu fil ahli wal maal. Allahumma inna nuujubika min wa-cha-is safari wa-kaabatil manjari, wa suil munkalabi fil ahli wal maal. ’
English translation: O Allah! Make our trip easier for us. Reduce road distance. O Allah! You are our traveling companion and you are our successor to our family. O Allah! I want to protect you from the hardships and horrible scenes of the journey and from returning to your family, wealth and subordinates in bad condition. (Muslim, Hadith No: 96/2)
If you land or stay somewhere in the middle of the journey, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) instructed you to recite a prayer. The prayer is, ‘Auju bikalimatillahit tammati min sharri ma khalaq’ (Muslim, Hadith No. 2607)
English translation: I seek protection from all kinds of evils through the complete word of Allah.
It is narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that he used to recite this dua while sitting on a horse. This prayer is applicable to animals and mechanical vehicles.
Final word:
This means that the above prayers will also apply when riding horses, camels, etc. Air travel duas are the same as the other travel Dua. Hope you understand.
May Allaah grant the Muslim Ummah the Tawfeeq to seek help from Him through this prayer for a safe journey. Amen.