Dua for Traveling - Safar Ki Dua
The Dua for Traveling (دُعَاءُ السَّفَر) is a supplication asking Allah for a safe and blessed journey. It is Sunnah to recite this when starting any travel.
What is the Dua for Traveling?
The Dua for Traveling (دُعَاءُ السَّفَر), known in Urdu as Safar ki Dua and in Bengali as Sofor er Dua, is the supplication the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recited every time he mounted a riding animal for a journey. It is one of the most documented travel supplications in the Sunnah and combines four short acts of worship in a single moment: the takbir to glorify Allah, an acknowledgement that no creature could have tamed the means of travel without Allah's permission, a reminder of the believer's return to Allah, and a direct petition for piety, ease and safety. The Prophet ﷺ recited it whether boarding a camel, a horse or a ship — and the scholars unanimously extend it to modern vehicles such as cars, trains, planes and buses.
The Arabic Text of the Travel Dua
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: Subhana-lladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina la-munqalibun. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadha al-birra wa-t-taqwa, wa mina-l-'amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha wa-tw'i 'anna bu'dah. Allahumma anta-s-sahibu fi-s-safari wa-l-khalifatu fi-l-ahl. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'i-s-safar, wa ka'abati-l-manzar, wa su'i-l-munqalabi fi-l-mali wa-l-ahl.
Translation: "Glory be to the One who has subjected this to us, when we could never have tamed it ourselves; and indeed to our Lord we shall surely return. O Allah, we ask You on this journey of ours for righteousness, piety and deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and fold up its distance. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Successor over our family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardship of travel, from sights of distress, and from finding ruin in our wealth and family upon our return."
Source: Sahih Muslim 1342 — narrated by Ibn 'Umar (RA): "When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mounted his camel to set out on a journey, he would say Allahu Akbar three times, then recite this dua." The opening verse ("Subhana-lladhi sakhkhara lana hadha") is itself a quotation from the Qur'an, Surah al-Zukhruf 43:13–14.
How and When to Recite It
The Sunnah is to begin by saying Bismillah as you leave the house, then once you are seated in the vehicle and before it begins to move, raise the takbir (Allahu Akbar) three times, followed by the dua above. The Prophet ﷺ used to recite it audibly so his companions could learn it, but reciting it quietly is equally valid. On returning from the journey, the Sunnah is to repeat the same dua and add the words: "Ayibun, ta'ibun, 'abidun, li-Rabbina hamidun" — "Returning, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord" (Sahih Muslim 1342). Many travellers also combine the travel dua with the well-known supplication for entering a vehicle: "Bismillah, alhamdulillah" followed by the verse "Subhana-lladhi sakhkhara lana hadha …", which is reported in Sunan Abu Dawud 2602 with a sahih chain.
Meaning Behind Each Phrase
The opening — Subhana-lladhi sakhkhara lana hadha — anchors the believer in tawhid ar-rububiyyah: every vehicle, however advanced, is a gift Allah subjected to humanity, not a human triumph. Wa inna ila Rabbina la-munqalibun reminds the traveller that every journey is a miniature of the final journey to Allah. Hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha wa-tw'i 'anna bu'dah is a beautiful petition asking Allah literally to "fold up" the distance — a request the Companions narrated as having been answered for them on long desert routes. The closing refuge — from the fatigue of travel, the distressing sights one may encounter, and the misfortune of returning to ruined wealth or harmed family — covers the three main fears every traveller has carried throughout history: bodily exhaustion, emotional shock, and what one comes home to.
Common Questions About the Travel Dua
Does it count for flights and cars?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ recited it on whichever conveyance Allah had given his ummah at the time. Modern scholars including Shaykh Ibn Baz and Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymin explicitly extended its application to airplanes, cars, trains and ships — every form of transport is a "this" that Allah has subjected to humanity.
Can I recite it in English if I don't know the Arabic?
The Arabic carries the reward of dhikr and Qur'an (the opening line is Qur'an 43:13–14), so memorising the Arabic is strongly recommended. Until you do, recite the translation with sincerity and keep practising the Arabic — most travellers learn the full text within a few journeys.
Is there a special dua for entering a new town?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ used to recite an additional dua when a town came into view, asking Allah for its good and seeking refuge from its evil (Sunan an-Nasa'i 8826). This is recommended for travellers arriving in an unfamiliar city.
What if I forget to recite it before the journey starts?
Recite it as soon as you remember. The reward is not lost — the journey is ongoing, and the Sunnah dua of the journey applies throughout. Travellers are also encouraged to make abundant personal du'a during travel because the supplication of a traveller is among the three duas that Allah does not reject (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1905, sahih).
In Other Languages
The same dua is taught in many Muslim communities under different names. If you are looking for a localized version with translation in your language, see our companion pages: Safar ki Dua in Urdu, Safar ki Dua in Hindi, and Sofor er Dua in Bengali. The Arabic text and meaning above remain the canonical source.