Which Prayers Did Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Recommend Reciting When Setting Out?
According to Islamic belief, travel is an important opportunity to fulfill both worldly needs and our acts of worship. Therefore, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) supported believers in their journeys with prayers and surahs to recite when setting out. Various practices have been recommended for those embarking on a journey to seek refuge in Allah, turn towards Him, and ensure that their travels are blessed.
Short Surahs to Recite When Setting Out
The Prophet (peace be upon him) particularly emphasized the recitation of five surahs when setting out on a journey. It is recommended to begin and end each of these surahs with Bismillah:
- Kafiroon Surah
- Nasr Surah
- Ikhlas Surah
- Falaq Surah
- Naas Surah
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave the following glad tidings to those who recite these surahs: “If you set out for a journey, do you wish to be among your companions the one with the best demeanor and the most abundant provisions? Then recite these five surahs: Kafiroon, Nasr, Ikhlas, Falaq, and Naas. Begin each surah with Bismillah and end it with Bismillah.” (Haythami, X, 134)
Click here to learn about the virtue of reciting short surahs in sequence
Dua to be Recited During Travel
A comprehensive prayer that can be recited during travel is as follows:
“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. O my Lord! I seek Your help and turn towards You, ease my hardship and make my journey free from fatigue and provide me with sustenance in a good way. Protect me from all evils. O Allah, expand my breast [with compassion] and make my task easy. Untie the knot of speech from my tongue, and relieve me of my difficulty. O Allah! I entrust to You myself, my religion, my family, my property, all that you have bestowed upon me in this world and the hereafter; so protect us from every evil and sorrowful thing! O Lord of grace! Protect me and those with me, and make us safe and deliver us to our destination, O Lord! O my Lord! I repent to You and turn towards You, give me piety as provision, forgive my sins, and wherever I turn, guide me to good!” (cf. Nawawi, al-Azkar, 195 ff.)
Dua to Recite Before Setting Out
The prayer that can be recited when leaving home: “In the name of Allah. I believe in Allah, I turn towards Allah, I put my trust in Allah, strength and power are only with Allah.” Whoever recites this prayer will be granted access to a good place and protected from bad places. (Ali al-Muttaqi, no: 17534)
Dua to Recite at Lodgings During Travel
The prayer that can be recited during lodging: “Allah is my Lord, He has no partner.” The belongings of the one who recites this prayer are secured. (Ali al-Muttaqi, no: 17553)