Safar Ki Dua is one of the most searched duas in Islam—recited before starting any journey. Most people know only the departure dua, but there’s also a specific dua for returning home that completes the sunnah. This guide covers all four, in Arabic, transliteration, English, and Urdu.
Quick Facts About Safar Ki Dua
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recited When | Before starting a journey, after boarding your vehicle |
| Also Called | Dua al-Musafir, Dua of the Traveller |
| Main Source | Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1342 (narrated by Ibn Umar RA) |
| Number of Related Duas | 2 (departure + return) |
| Who Recited It | The Prophet ﷺ himself taught his companions |
| Ruling | Sunnah—highly recommended before travel |
What Is Safar Ki Dua?
“Safar” means “journey” or “travel” in Arabic and Urdu. Safar Ki Dua refers to the supplication the Prophet ﷺ used to recite whenever he mounted his means of transport for a journey—recorded by his companion Ibn Umar (RA) and preserved in Sahih Muslim. It’s recited to seek Allah’s protection, ease, and blessing throughout the trip.
Dua for Starting a Journey (Departure)
Arabic:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ 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: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrineen, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqaliboon. Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadhal-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-‘amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin ‘alaina safarana hadha watwi ‘anna bu’dah. Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safari wal-khalifatu fil-ahl. Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min wa’tha’is-safari, wa ka’abatil-manzari, wa su’il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl.
English Translation: “Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. Glory is to Him Who has provided this for us, though we could never have had it by our own efforts. Surely, unto our Lord we are returning. O Allah, we ask You for righteousness and piety in this journey of ours and deeds that please You. O Allah, lighten this journey for us and make its distance easy for us. O Allah, You are our Companion on the road and the One in Whose care we leave our family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, from a distressing sight, and from finding our family and property in a bad state on our return.”
Urdu Translation: اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے، اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے، اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے۔ پاک ہے وہ ذات جس نے اس (سواری) کو ہمارے لیے مسخر کیا، ورنہ ہم اسے قابو میں نہیں لا سکتے تھے، اور بے شک ہم اپنے رب کی طرف لوٹنے والے ہیں۔ اے اللہ! ہم اس سفر میں تجھ سے نیکی اور تقویٰ مانگتے ہیں، اور ایسا عمل جس سے تو راضی ہو۔ اے اللہ! ہمارے لیے یہ سفر آسان کر دے اور اس کی دوری کو ہمارے لیے سمیٹ دے۔ اے اللہ! تو ہی سفر میں ساتھی ہے اور گھر والوں کی نگہبانی کرنے والا ہے۔ اے اللہ! میں سفر کی مشقت، بری واپسی، اور مال و اہل میں بگاڑ سے تیری پناہ مانگتا ہوں۔
Dua for Returning Home
The Prophet ﷺ would recite the same departure dua on the way back, adding a few extra words upon arrival:
Arabic (additional words):
آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
Transliteration: Ayiboona ta’iboona ‘abidoona li Rabbina hamidoon
English Translation: “We return, repentant, worshipping, and praising our Lord.”
Departure Dua vs Return Dua: Quick Comparison
| Departure Dua | Return Dua | |
|---|---|---|
| When recited | At the start of the journey | On the way back home |
| Core text | Full dua (Takbeer + Tasbeeh + requests) | Same dua + 4 extra words |
| Main themes | Ease, protection, righteousness in the journey | Repentance, gratitude, worship |
| Source | Sahih Muslim 1342 | Sahih Muslim 1342 (same hadith, continued) |
How to Recite Safar Ki Dua
- Board your vehicle (car, plane, or any means of transport).
- Say “Allahu Akbar” three times.
- Recite the full dua above, reflecting on its meaning as you begin your journey.
- On your return journey, recite the same dua, adding the four extra words when you arrive home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Safar Ki Dua only for long journeys? It’s traditionally recited for any journey involving travel by vehicle, though it holds special significance for longer trips like Hajj, Umrah, or visiting family in another city.
Can I recite Safar Ki Dua in English if I don’t know Arabic? Yes—understanding the meaning in English or Urdu is encouraged, though reciting the Arabic carries the specific reward tied to the Prophet’s ﷺ own words.
What if I forget the full dua? A shorter, simpler alternative also narrated from the Prophet ﷺ for leaving the home in general is “Bismillahi tawakkaltu ‘alallah, la hawla wala quwwata illa billah” (“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah; there is no power and no strength except with Allah”)—recorded in Sunan Abu Dawud and Sunan at-Tirmidhi.
Is there a difference between Safar Ki Dua and the dua for leaving the house? Yes—the “leaving the house” dua (above) is shorter and general, recited any time you leave home. Safar Ki Dua specifically is recited once you’ve boarded your transport for a journey.
Conclusion
Safar Ki Dua is a beautiful sunnah that turns an everyday act—starting a trip—into a moment of reflection and reliance on Allah. Most people only learn the departure dua; knowing the return dua too completes the full sunnah taught by the Prophet ﷺ, from the moment you leave until the moment you’re safely home.
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- Free Islamic PDFs
Sources & References
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1342—Sunnah.com (Ibn Umar’s narration of the travel dua)
- Sunan Abu Dawud & Sunan at-Tirmidhi—Sunnah.com (the shorter “leaving the house” dua)
- Quran.com—for related verses on travel and reliance on Allah
Written by: Abdul Wahab Reviewed by: Hafiz Munir Ahmed Last reviewed: September 16, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general knowledge and educational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified scholar for in-depth religious rulings or hadith authentication.