If you travel regularly, particularly for work, studies, or other matters, leaving your family behind can be challenging and distressing. However, as Muslims, we must always place our trust in Allah (SWT) and leave our loved ones in the care of Allah (SWT) when we leave them behind. Therefore, recite the dua mentioned below when leaving your loved ones behind at home as you travel. The duas has been recommended to be recited by the Prophet (ﷺ) and is regarded as authentic by multiple sources.
Travel Duas
One must recite this dua as they start their journey with the intention of requesting and supplicating to Allah (SWT) for the well-being and protection of their loved ones that they have left behind. Leaving a loved one behind is never easy. However, leaving them in the protection of Allah is one of the proper etiquettes in Islam.
As you travel, gather all of your loved ones, ask for forgiveness and blessings, and bid them farewell. Allah (SWT) says in Surah An-Nisa: ‘’Indeed, Allah has always been Watchful over you.’’ Therefore, one must remember that irrespective of all worries and distress, Allah is always watching over its creations to protect them from any harm or danger.
The above-mentioned duas are supplication for travelers who ask Allah (SWT) to keep their loved ones under His protection, keep them safe, and ensure they lean towards good deeds and actions. Moreover, the duas also ask for forgiveness of sins for their loved ones, sustainability in their provision, and asks for goodness for them. So, when you travel, you leave everything in the protection and mercy of Allah.
The Prophet (ﷺ) recommended the Ummah to pray two rakah’h Sunnah prayers before starting a travelling journey.
“When you leave your house, perform two raka’h and this will safeguard you against evil. When you enter your home, perform another two raka’h, and this will safeguard you against evil.” [Musnad Al-Bazzar]
The minimum distance a traveler has been permitted to break his fasting and shorten his prayers in Islam is approximately 80km, according to the opinion of majority of scholars.
Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Ankabut:
Say, [O Muhammad], “Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will produce the final creation. Indeed Allah, over all things, is competent.” – (29:20)
Travelling, be it for work, tourism, or worship (Hajj, Umrah) is permissible according to the Quran.