Dua for Traveling

Seeking Allah's protection during journeys

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrineen, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqaliboon.
"Glory is to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it. And indeed we, to our Lord, will [surely] return."

Meaning & Context

This powerful dua, taken directly from the Quran, is recited when one settles onto their mode of transport (car, plane, boat, etc.). It is an expression of awe and gratitude to Allah. The traveler glorifies Allah for making the vehicle subservient to them, acknowledging that humans could not have achieved this control without His will. It also serves as a profound reminder of the ultimate journey we are all on – the return to our Lord.

Benefits of Reciting this Dua

  • Invokes Allah's protection and blessings for a safe journey.
  • Instills humility by reminding us that our control over technology is a gift from Allah.
  • Connects the physical journey with the ultimate spiritual journey back to Allah.
  • Reciting it is an act of worship and remembrance of Allah.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is best recited once you are comfortably seated and settled in your vehicle or mode of transport, just before it begins to move.

It means that Allah has given us the power and ability to control and use this mode of transport (e.g., a car or an airplane), which we would not be able to do on our own.

Quick Quiz

Question: Besides the physical journey, what other journey does this dua remind us of?