This is a text and explanation page for the travel supplications, not a prayer-times page. The full text comes first, then when each supplication is said.
The travel supplication in full
It is said once you have settled into the vehicle, aircraft or mount, not before leaving the house:
The supplication
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it by our own power. And indeed, to our Lord we will return.
O Allah, we ask You on this journey of ours for righteousness and piety, and for deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and fold up its distance.
O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Guardian of the family. O Allah, accompany us on our journey and watch over our family.
Recorded by Muslim from Ibn Umar. Its opening is taken from the verse:
Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:13-14
Verified recitation
Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could not have subdued it. And indeed, to our Lord we will return.Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could not have subdued it. And indeed, to our Lord we will return.
A short version for whoever has not memorised the long one
The supplication
Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it by our own power. And indeed, to our Lord we will return.
When exactly each supplication is said
| Situation | What is said | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Settled in the car, aircraft or on a mount | Takbir three times, then the full travel supplication | Muslim 1342 |
| Leaving the house | In the name of Allah, I rely on Allah, there is no power except with Allah | Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi |
| Bidding farewell to those staying | I place you in the trust of Allah, whose trusts are never lost | Ibn Majah, Ahmad |
| Climbing an ascent | Takbir | al-Bukhari |
| Descending into a valley | Tasbih | al-Bukhari |
| Stopping at a lodging, hotel or camp | I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He created | Muslim |
| Reaching the destination | The supplication on entering a town, then one's own need | Reported practice |
| Returning to family | Takbir three times, the same supplication, then: returning, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord | al-Bukhari, Muslim |
Does the plane or the car change the wording?
No. The wording is one, because the hadith's reason, "who has subjected this to us", covers every mount: animal, car, train, aircraft and ship. Say the takbir three times and the supplication once seated. No supplication specific to aircraft is authentically attributed to the Prophet, peace be upon him.
The supplication on returning
The traveller says on the way back what he said on the way out, and adds:
The supplication
Returning, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord.
When his own town comes into view he says the takbir, and he prays for his family when he reaches them.
What the traveller says to those staying, and they to him
- The traveller says: I place you in the trust of Allah, whose trusts are never lost.
- Those staying say: May Allah provide you with piety, forgive your sin and make good easy for you wherever you are.
- Also said: In the protection and care of Allah.
The traveller's remembrances people ask about most
- On stopping at a place: I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He created. It is reported that whoever says it is not harmed until he departs from that stop.
- On entering a town: one asks for one's need and for the good of its people. What circulates here is reported practice rather than an authentic prophetic hadith, and that should be stated plainly.
- During the journey: the traveller's supplication is among those hoped to be answered, so supplication for oneself and one's family is encouraged.
- Morning, evening and sleep remembrances stay the same while travelling; the full texts are on the azkar page, and you can count them on the tasbih.
Prayer while travelling: the practical part
Travel does not drop the prayer; it shortens it.
| Question | What applies | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Shortening | Four-unit prayers become two: zuhr, asr, isha | - |
| Fajr and maghrib | Not shortened: two and three units | - |
| Combining | Zuhr with asr and maghrib with isha, earlier or later, when needed | prayer times for the start and end of each window |
| Times at the destination | The times of the place you are in, not of home | your city's times after setting the location |
| Qibla in a hotel room | Compass plus the bearing on a map | qibla compass |
| Qibla on a plane | Face the direction of travel with due effort; turning is not required | travel page |
If the journey is for umrah or hajj, see the travel guide and the umrah page.
Common mistakes and what is correct
| Common mistake | What is correct |
|---|---|
| Saying the travel supplication at the front door | Its place is after settling into the vehicle; leaving the house has its own words |
| Believing aircraft have a special supplication | One wording covers every mount |
| Skipping it because the long text is not memorised | Say what you know; the opening suffices |
| Delaying prayer until arrival | Prayer is shortened and combined, not dropped |
| Looking for a "tested" supplication to smooth the trip | Only what is authentically reported is attributed; and it is enough |
Three steps before you move
- Say the words for leaving the house, then settle into your seat and say the takbir three times and the supplication.
- Set your prayer times to your destination from prayer times and decide on shortening and combining.
- On reaching the hotel say the words for stopping, and set the direction from the qibla compass before the first prayer.
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Data sources
Last updated: 16 September 2026