Sunnats Of Travelling
1) As far as possible, there should be at least two people together when undertaking any journey. Travelling alone should be avoided. However, in extreme necessity, there is no harm.
2) When one has placed one’s foot in the stirrup of one’s conveyance and is about to mount it, one should say Bismillah.
3) After settling down on the conveyance, say Allahu Akbar thrice and thereafter recite the following Dua:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّالَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَاِنَّا إِلٰى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُوْنَ
Glory be to the One Who has subjugated this for us whereas we were not able to subjugate it on our own. And we will certainly be returning to our Lord.
4) Thereafter, recite the following Dua:
اللّٰهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَ اطْوِ عَنَا بَعْدَهُ – اللَّهُمَّ أنتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْخَلِيقَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ – اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّيْ أعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَ سُوءِ الْمُنقَلبِ في الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ وَالْوَلَدِ
Oh Allah! Make this journey easy for us and shorten the length of this journey as well. Oh Allah! You are our Companion on this journey and the Protector of this household. Oh Allah! I seek Your protection from the hardship of travel, from witnessing a terrible sight, and from finding an evil condition having befallen my family, my wealth and children upon my return.
5) When the need arises to stop along the way, the Sunnah is to move to the side of the road. Do not camp in the middle of the road whereby the path of others is blocked and they experience inconvenience thereby.
6) When ascending any high place, one should say Allahu Akbar.
7) When descending at any place, one should say Subhaanallah.
8) When the town of one’s destination comes into view, recite this Dua:
اللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهَا
Oh Allah! Grant us Barakah from this town.
When entering the town, recite this Dua:
اللّٰهُمَّ ارْزُقْنَا جَنَاهَا وَحَبِّبْنَا إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَحَبِّبْ صَالِحِي أهْلِهَا إِلَيْنَا
Oh Allah! Grant us sustenance of this place. Make us beloved to the people of this place, and make the pious people of this place beloved to us.
9) Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam mentioned that when the purpose for which one had undertaken a journey has been achieved, one should return home immediately. It is not advisable to remain on a journey for no reason.
10) When returning after many days from a lengthy journey, and one arrives home after a great portion of the night has passed, then he should not immediately enter his home. It is better to go the next morning. However, if the family is aware of your late arrival and are expecting you, then there is no harm in going home immediately. By practicing the Sunnan, one will receive the benefits in this world and the hereafter.
11) It is forbidden to take a dog along on the journey, or to keep bells, because Shaytaan follows such a person and the blessings of the journey are lost.
12) Upon returning from a journey, it is Sunnah to first go to the Masjid, perform two Rakaats of Salaah, and thereafter, enter the home.
13) When returning from a journey, recite this Dua:
آئِبُوْنَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
We are returning (home) with repentance, utmost humility and praising our Lord.