Everyday intentions
Niyyah for travel: a good intention
I travel for a good purpose, remembering Allah on the way.
A good niyyah for travel
Every journey has a purpose. Visiting family, working, studying or seeing the world as a sign of Allah: the intention you set out with is what counts (Sahih al-Bukhari 1).
Set off with His words. When the Prophet ﷺ set out on a journey, he said the dua for travelling, glorifying the One who made the ride serve us (Sahih Muslim 1342).
Food and water aid reaches families in need, with every pound shown.
Habits that go with it
Small sunnahs around the act.
- Leave your home in Allah’s name (Sunan Abi Dawud 5095).
- Help your fellow travellers with their bags: helping a man with his mount is sadaqah (Sahih al-Bukhari 2989).
The dua for travelling
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، ﴿سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ * وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ﴾ ((اللَّهُمَّ إِنّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا البِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى، اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَليفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ))، وإذا رَجَعَ قَالَهُنَّ وَزَادَ فِيهِنَّ: ((آيِبُونَ، تائِبُونَ، عَابِدُونَ، لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ)).
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadhal-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-‘amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin ‘alayna safarana hadha watwi ‘anna bu‘dah. Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safar, wal-khalifatu fil-ahl. Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika min wa‘tha’is-safar, wa ka’abatil-manzar, wa su’il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl. Ayibuna, ta’ibuna, ‘abiduna, lirabbina hamidun.
Allah is the Greatest (three times). Glory be to the One who has made this serve us, for we could never have managed it ourselves, and it is to our Lord that we are returning. O Allah, on this journey we ask You for goodness and for awareness of You, and for deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and fold up its distance for us. O Allah, You are our Companion on the road and the One who stays with the family we leave. O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the strain of travelling, from upsetting sights, and from coming home to find harm in my wealth or my family. On the way back, say it again and add: Home we come, repenting, worshipping, praising our Lord.
The words after the takbir are from the Quran (43:13–14).
