Dua for Travelling on a Plane: Arabic, English and Transliteration

Sufyan Amjad

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ

While everyday travel, including plane journeys, has increased, many Muslims still feel uncertain about how to express their religious practice when travelling by plane. The dua for travel by plane is, in fact, the Sunnah dua for travel by all means of transportation, including the plane, and is similar to the dua for travel taught by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for all land, sea, and air voyages. This document will include the text for the dua, its translation and interpretation, best times for recitation, and additional duas for a tranquil and secure trip.

The Main Duas for a Plane Journey

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ

Allahu Akbar (3 times). Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin.

Dua When Travelling by Plane

Begin with saying “Allahu Akbar” three times. Then, recite the two successive verses from Surah Az-Zukhruf, verses 13 and 14.

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الأَهْلِ

Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safar, wal-khalifatu fil-ahl.

Scholars of Islamic law have stated that the dua for travel by aeroplanes is the same as the general dua for travel, and there is no specific dua for aeroplanes. However, this section aims to provide the traveller with a sense of reassurance regarding their family and property, particularly if there is any fear regarding their family’s safety and security.

Dua for Travelling on Plane

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى

Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadhal-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-‘amali ma tarda.

After the above-mentioned verse, the dua for air travel continues with the following invocation for Allah’s protection and to direct His mercy and blessings upon His creation.

اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ

Allahumma hawwin ‘alayna safarana hadha watwi ‘anna bu’dah.

No matter the length of the flight, it is appropriate to recite the dua for travel by plane. The traveller is requesting the above in the dua.

Transliteration and English Meaning

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالأَهْلِ

Full transliteration:

Allahu Akbar (3 times).

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.

Meaning:

Allah is the Greatest. Glory be to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have done it ourselves. To our Lord we shall return. O Allah, we ask You on this journey for goodness and piety and for deeds that please You. Make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance. You are the Companion on the journey and the Guardian of our family. I seek refuge in You from the hardship of travel, from a sorrowful sight on return, and from an evil outcome in wealth and family.

Dua for Travelling on Plane in English

رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي

Rabbi ishrah li sadri wa yassir li amri. (“My Lord, expand my chest and make my task easy for me.”)

Here is the English translation of the dua for travelling by plane. Recite the Arabic version if you can. Focus on the meaning of the translation. The supplication in English at the end of this passage is also from the Prophet, and you can add personal requests in your own language.

When to Recite the Dua for Flights

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ

Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.

Dua Before Travelling in a Plane

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ

The dua starts from your front door. Say the above dua as you leave the house, and say two rakaahs and give some Sadaqa if time permits.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى

Once you get to the airport, say the full dua for travel. Say it again when you get on the plane and have settled in your seat. Say it once more when the crew has secured your seat belt.

Dua When Travelling by Plane

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ

Say the full dua for travel if you are anxious during takeoff, or during the flight if anxiety strikes. It can also be said during turbulence or during landing. Say it during landing if it gives you a sense of relief.

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal-wakil. (“Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.”)

The above phrases can also be repeated for reassurance if anxiety strikes during the flight. Saying these phrases can help calm your anxiety during the flight.

Dua While Travelling by Flight

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ

Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi, subhanallahil-‘azim.

It is also mentioned that the Prophet practised saying “Allahu Akbar” during ascent of the plane and “Subhanallah” during descent. Saying istighfar and salawat during flight is also recommended.

ثَلَاثُ دَعَوَاتٍ مُسْتَجَابَاتٌ لَا شَكَّ فِيهِنَّ: دَعْوَةُ الْمَظْلُومِ، وَدَعْوَةُ الْمُسَافِرِ، وَدَعْوَةُ الْوَالِدِ عَلَى وَلَدِهِ

Air travel provides ample time for worship. Dua during air travel allows us to make specific requests of Allah, and it is reported in both Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi that supplications made by travellers are always answered.

Different More Duas for Plane Travel

اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا

Save the following Arabic and English transliterations, as you will need to activate aeroplane mode. The most important dua during this flight is the Sunnah dua for air travel.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.

The dua for air travel is the same, and you can also include this more comprehensive dua.

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ

It is beautiful to see families on board travelling to the same destination, all reciting the dua for air travel. If you are travelling alone, you can recite the dua slowly for children to repeat after you.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ

Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘alallah.

You can also teach the dua for air travel in small portions. Beginners can learn the short portion above and then add the next short portion, “Subhanal-ladhi sakhkharalana hadha”, on their own.

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin (Quran 21:87).

This dua for air travel places the worry and fear for the journey on Allah, and it brings a great deal of comfort to the traveller. For an anxious flyer, the Du’a of Yunus provides travellers’ solace as well.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ

Allahumma salli wa sallim ‘ala nabiyyina Muhammad.

The travel dua for home is said upon leaving the home; after reciting this dua, say Salawat and Dhikr during the flight, and recite this dua upon arrival at your destination.

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ

Astaghfirullah.

There are no special prophetic supplications for air travel. The regular travel supplication is short and can be repeated throughout the journey.

Plane Travel: Dua Variations

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ

It expresses gratitude for the means of transportation and acknowledges that all journeys are for Allah. It also asks Allah to provide ease and protection.

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ

Allahu la ilaha illa huwal-hayyul-qayyum, la ta’khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm (Ayat al-Kursi, first part, Quran 2:255).

There are other travel supplications that can be combined and recited during a plane journey. These include the travel supplication, the ayat al-Kursi, and the morning and evening supplications.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma’asmihi shay’un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama’i wa huwas-sami’ul-‘alim.

A short plane journey travel supplication can be the morning and evening dhikr. This is especially so, as the travel supplication is relatively long.

قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ، اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

Qul huwallahu ahad, Allahus-samad.

The travel supplication can be shortened to the dhikr during the journey. Surah al-Ikhlas can be recited as well.

Safety, Protection and Arabic Wording

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

A’udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq.

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

While travelling by plane, many prefer to recite the travel supplication to protect themselves. It is permissible to do so. Keeping the supplication short and reciting surahs is recommended.

رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَلْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَانًا نَّصِيرًا

Rabbi adkhilni mudkhala sidqin wa akhrijni mukhraja sidqin waj’al li min ladunka sultanan nasira (Quran 17:80).

It is recommended to say this supplication as well, as it was narrated that it protects a person from all evil and harm until they leave that place. A travel plane dua can also include this Quranic supplication for entering and leaving well.

Safar Dua for Travelling on a Plane

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ

Subhaanal-lazee sakhkhara lanaa haazaa wa maa kunnaa lahoo muqrineen.

People who speak Hindi and Urdu request the Sunnah prayer for aeroplane travel. ‘Safar’ means ‘journey’ in Arabic; therefore, the prayer for a journey is being referred to here. Feel free to make the du’a in the language of your choice. For pronunciation assistance, please refer to the line provided above.

Practical Tips for Muslim Passengers

رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ

Prayer on the plane: If prayer time falls during the flight, pray as best you can. If you cannot stand or face the qibla, pray seated and face the qibla as far as possible. If you can pray on the ground without missing the time, that is preferable.
Dhikr: Keep your tongue busy with remembrance of Allah throughout the flight.
Dua for others: Pray for your family, since a traveller’s dua is hopeful of acceptance.
On arrival: Say the return supplication when you land safely:

آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ

Ayibuna ta’ibuna ‘abiduna li-Rabbina hamidun. (“We return, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord.”)

Conclusion

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى

The dua for travelling on a plane is not complicated. It is the same beloved supplication of the Prophet ﷺ, recited with a present heart at the start of your flight. Memorise it, understand it, and add your own requests. May Allah make all your journeys safe, easy and blessed. Ameen.