Travelling in Islam
The second month of the Islamic calendar Safar began August 5th, 2024. In Arabic safar (سفر) means travel. Safar is an important month of Muslims especially because it marks the period when the Prophet (saw) departed from Makkah and journeyed to Medina to spread the message of Islam.
In Islamic history, Arab traders were passionate travelers, journeying across various nations for trade. This tradition was continued by Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the early Muslims, who migrated to different countries, devoting themselves to spreading the message of Islam. Even the Prophet's companions were well-known for crossing borders to spread the message of Islam.
Travel offers an opportunity to observe and reflect on Allah’s (swt) creations, experience different cultures, and seek knowledge.
Surah Al-Ankabut (29:20) reads, "Say, O Prophet 'Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will bring about the final creation. Indeed Allah, over all things, is competent."
This verse encourages travel as a means to observe, reflect and appreciate Allah's ( swt) creation.
Surah Al-Hajj (22:46) reads, "Have they not traveled through the land, and have they hearts by which to understand, or ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts which are within the breasts."
Islamic Duas for Travelling
1. Dua for Starting a Journey (Dua al-Safar):
بِسْمِ اللهِ، مَجْرَاهَا وَمُرْسَاهَا، إِنَّ رَبِّي لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah.”
2. Dua for a Safe Journey
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِي هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى، اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَن بُعْدَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ
"O Allah, I ask You for righteousness and piety on this journey, and for deeds that You will approve of. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance. O Allah..."
3. Dua for Entering a New City or Town:
رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَلْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ سُلْطَانًا نَصِيرًا
“My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.”
4. Dua for Returning from Travel:
آيِبُونَ، تَائِبُونَ، عَابِدُونَ، لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
“Returning, repenting, worshipping, and praising our Lord.”
When reciting travel duas, seek Allah's (swt) assistance for safety and protection, recognizing that only He can safeguard us from accidents and potential dangers.
By embracing the spiritual and practical aspects of travel, we can transform our journeys into opportunities for increasing our faith and establishing a deeper bond with our Creator, Ameen.
