In his book Al-Fiqh Al-Islaami wa Adillatuhu (Islamic Jurisprudence and Its Evidences), Dr. Wahbah Az-Zuhayli mentions a number of recommended acts that a Muslim should do when he or she sets out on a journey or when traveling. Here are some of them:
1- Du`a’ of Traveling:
Ibn `Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, mounted his camel with the intention of setting out on a journey he would say thrice: “Alhamdulillah, Subhaan Allah, Allahu Akbar. Subhan Alladhi sakhara lana hadha wama kunna lahu muqrineen, wa inna illa rabinna lamunqaliboon. Allahumma inna nas’alluka fi safarina hadha al-Birra wat-taqwa, wa mina al-` mali ma tarda. Allahumma antas-sahibu fis safar, wal khaleefatu fil ahli wal walad. Allahumma inni `A`oodh bika min wo`athaa’is safar, wa ka’abatil manthar, wa soo’il munqalbi fi maali wal Al-Hali wal walad.“ (Abu Dawud) (All praise and thanks are due to Allah; glory be to Allah; Allah is Greatest. Glory be to Him, Who has made all this (transportation) subservient to our use – and we will for sure return to our Lord. It is unto our Lord we must turn. O Allah, we beseech You to grant us righteousness and piety in our journey; and to help us do nothing but good deeds. O Allah, You are the Companion in traveling and the Protector of those we left behind. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of traveling, and from the change in my appearance (as a result of tiredness), and from harm befalling my family or wealth.”
On his return journey, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say the same du`a’ and then adds: “Aayiboona, Ta’iboona, `Aa’idoona, li-rabbina haamidoon(returning, repenting, worshiping, and thanking our Lord.)
2- Offering the Sunnah Salah of Traveling:
It is Sunnah to offer two Rak`ahs before traveling. It is preferable to recite Surat Al-Kafiroon in the first Rak`ah and Surat Al-Ikhlas in the second. On finishing the prayer, it is recommended to recite Ayat Al-Kursi (verse 255 of Surat Al-Baqarah), Surat Quraysh (Chapter 106) as well as Surat Al-Ikhlaas (Chapter 112)) and the two protective Surahs (Al-Mu`awidhatayn – Al-Falaq and An-Naas, or chapters 113 and 114). Then you should pray to Allah to fulfill any of your worldly needs.
You should ask Allah to make traveling easy for you and grant you success in the trip you are going to take. On sitting up, you can say the following du`a‘: “Allahumma ilayka tawajahtu, wa bika i`tasamatu, Allahumma ikfni ma ahmmanni wa malam ahtamma bihi, Allahumma zawidni at-taqwa waghfir li dhanbi” (O Allah, to You do I resort, and upon You do I depend. O Allah, I commit to you all what occupies my mind and what does not. O Allah, grant me righteousness, and forgive me my sins.)
3- Du`a’ on Leaving the House:
It is Sunnah to make du`a‘ before leaving your house. It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say, when leaving his house: “Allahumma inni a`oodhu bika an addilla aw uddal, aw adhilla aw uthalla, aw athlima aw uthlama, aw ajhala aw yujahala `alayya“ (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from going astray or causing one to go astray, from humiliating someone or being humiliated by anyone, from wronging or being wronged, from abusing or being abused.)