Dua when boarding a ship

Recited when boarding a ship, boat, car, or airplane, at the start of a journey.

It reminds one to entrust setting out and returning entirely to Allah, and to place one's trust in Him.

This dua is based on the Quran and hadith sources below.

• QuranSurah Hud, 41

  These words appear in the Quran as what Prophet Nuh said to the believers when boarding the ship; scholars note it as a dua recited when boarding any means of transport.

Other duas connected to this topic.

• Dua for travel

  Glory be to Allah who has subjected this to us, for we could not have done it ourselves. Indeed, we will return to our Lord.

• Dua when stopping at a place

  I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.

Common questions about this dua.

• How is the dua when boarding a ship recited (Arabic, transliteration and meaning)?

  In Arabic it is “Bismillahi majraha wa mursaha”, meaning “Both its sailing and its anchoring are in the name of Allah.”

• Is this dua recited only when boarding a ship?

  No. Although this verse was revealed about a ship, scholars also recommend reciting it when boarding a car, an airplane, or other means of transport.