The Prophet stated some etiquette and manners that every Muslim should follow when travelling:
- It is recommended to recite the dua of travelling
- It is Sunnah to offer two Rak`ahs before travelling.
- It is Sunnah to make du`a before leaving your house.
In his book Al-Fiqh Al-Islami wa Adillatuhu (Islamic Jurisprudence and Its Evidences), Dr Wahbah Az-Zuhayli, head of the Dep. of Islamic Jurisprudence at the Faculty of Shari`ah, Damascus, mentions a number of recommended acts that a Muslim should do when he or she sets out on a journey or when travelling. Here are some of them:
Du`a of travelling
Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported, “When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mounted his camel with the intention of setting out on a journey, he would say thrice:
“Alhamdulillah, Subhaan Allah, Allahu Akbar. Subhan Alladhi sakhara lana hadha wama kunna lahu muqrineen, wa inna illa rabinna lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas’alluka fi safarina hadha al-Birra wat-taqwa, wa mina al-` mali ma tarda. Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safar, wal khaleefatu fil-ahli wal walad. Allahumma inni `A`udh bika min wo`athaa’i-s-safar, wa ka’abatil manzhar, wa su’il munqalbi fil-mali wal al-Hali.“
“All praise and thanks are due to Allah; glory be to Allah; Allah is Greatest. Glory be to Him, Who has made all this (transportation) subservient to our use – and we will for sure return to our Lord. It is unto our Lord we must turn. O Allah, we beseech You to grant us righteousness and piety in our journey, and to help us do nothing but good deeds. O Allah, You are the Companion in travelling and the Protector of those we left behind. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travelling, and from the change in my appearance (as a result of tiredness), and from harm befalling my family or wealth.”
On his return journey, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say the same du`a’ and then adds, “Aayibuna, Ta’ibuna, `Aa’iduna, li-rabbina haamidun (returning, repenting, worshipping, and thanking our Lord.”
Offering the Sunnah Salah of Travelling
It is Sunnah to offer two Rak`ahs before travelling. It is preferable to recite Surat Al-Kafiroon in the first Rak`ah and Surat Al-Ikhlas in the second. On finishing the prayer, it is recommended to recite Ayat Al-Kursi (verse 255 of Surat Al-Baqarah), Surat Quraysh (Chapter 106), as well as Surat Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) and the two protective Surahs (Al-Mu`awidhatayn – Al-Falaq and An-Naas, or chapters 113 and 114). Then you should pray to Allah to fulfil any of your worldly needs.
You should ask Allah to make travelling easy for you and grant you success in the trip you are going to take. On sitting up, you can say the following du`a‘:
“Allahumma ilayka tawajahtu, wa bika i`tasamatu, Allahumma ikfni ma ahmmanni wa malam ahtamma bihi, Allahumma zawidni at-taqwa waghfir li dhanbi“
(O Allah, to You do I resort, and upon You do I depend. O Allah, I commit to You all that occupies my mind and what does not. O Allah, grant me righteousness, and forgive me my sins.)
Du`a on Leaving the House
It is Sunnah to make du`a before leaving your house. It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say, when leaving his house: “Allahumma inni a`oodhu bika an addilla aw uddal, aw adhilla aw uthalla, aw athlima aw uthlama, aw ajhala aw yujahala `alayya.”
(O Allah, I seek refuge in You from going astray or causing one to go astray, from humiliating someone or being humiliated by anyone, from wronging or being wronged, from abusing or being abused.)
May Allah guide all of us to what pleases Him.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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