Traveling is a part of human life—whether for work, study, family, or worship. In Islam, traveling is not just movement from one place to another; it is an opportunity for worship, reflection, and drawing closer to Allah. The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ provides us with guidance on how to turn ordinary journeys into acts of devotion. Yet many of these travel Sunnahs are often overlooked.


1. Making Istikhārah Before Travel

Before setting out, the Prophet ﷺ taught the importance of seeking Allah’s guidance through Ṣalāt al-Istikhārah. Many people plan their journeys by logistics alone, forgetting that true success lies in Allah’s decree. Performing istikhārah ensures one’s travel is blessed and guided.

2. Saying the Supplication for Travel

One of the greatest protections is to recite the du‘ā’ for travel when embarking on a journey:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ 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 الأَهْلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالأَهْلِ

“Hallowed is He Who subdued for us this (ride) and we were not ourselves powerful enough to use It as a ride, and we are going to return to our Lord. O Allah, we seek virtue and piety from Thee in this journey of ours and the act which pleaseth Thee. O Allah, lighten this journey of ours, and make its distance easy for us. O Allah, Thou art (our) companion during the journey, and guardian of (our) family. O Allah, I seek refuge with Thee from hardships of the journey, gloominess of the sights, and finding of evil changes in property and family on return.”

[Sahih Muslim, 1342]

This du‘ā’ instills humility, reminding the traveler that safety, ease, and return are only by Allah’s will.

3. Leaving with the Du‘ā’ of the Family

It was from the Sunnah that family members pray for the traveler with words like:

أَسْتَوْدِعُكَ اللَّهَ دِينَكَ وَأَمَانَتَكَ وَخَوَاتِيمَ عَمَلِكَ
“I entrust to Allah your religion, and your trusts, and the last of your deeds (Astawdi`ullāha dīnaka wa amānataka wa khawātīma `amalik).”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3443]

This small practice strengthens bonds and places the traveler under Allah’s protection.

4. Shortening and Combining Prayers

Many overlook the ease Allah has granted during travel by allowing qaṣr (shortening four rak‘āt prayers into two) and jam‘ (combining prayers). Instead, some continue to pray in full, missing the mercy Allah provided specifically for travelers.

5. Maintaining Dhikr During the Journey

Travel can be filled with distractions, but the Prophet ﷺ reminded his Companions to fill journeys with dhikr. Saying subḥānallāh, alḥamdulillāh, lā ilāha illa Allāh, and Allāhu akbar during long rides turns idle time into worship.

6. Avoiding Traveling Alone at Night

The Prophet ﷺ discouraged traveling alone during the night without necessity, as it could bring both physical danger and spiritual harm. This Sunnah is often overlooked in modern times when solo night travel has become common.

7. Choosing Fridays Wisely

The Prophet ﷺ advised not to begin a journey on Friday before Jumu‘ah unless he will be able to pray Jumu`ah in a city or village that he will travel to. Yet many rush to catch flights or depart on Fridays, neglecting this guidance.

8. Returning Home During the Day

From the Sunnah is returning home during the day, not at night, to avoid surprising family and to arrive in a state of calm. The Prophet ﷺ would wait until morning or daytime to return so his family could prepare to receive him.

9. Saying the Du‘ā’ Upon Returning

When the Prophet ﷺ returned from travel, he would recite:

آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
“We return, repentant, worshipping, and praising our Lord.”
[Sahih Muslim, 1344]

This du‘ā’ reminds the believer that travel is temporary, but return to Allah is certain.

10. Appointing a Leader When Traveling in a Group

The Prophet ﷺ instructed that when people travel together, they should appoint one among them as a leader.
[Sunan Abū Dāwūd, 2608]

This ensures order, prevents disputes, and creates harmony during the journey. In group trips, this Sunnah is often neglected.