Fatwaa ID: 1496
Question:
Assalamualaikum WRWB. I was once told that if I wanted extra protection while traveling, I should recite ayah 67 of surah Zumar after reciting the portion of ayah 13 from surah Zukhruf. Is there any basis to this? Jazakallahu khairaa
Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.
Reciting verse 67 of Surah AZ-Zumar as a form of protection during travels is narrated in the Ahaadith. Rasulullaah ﷺ said,
أمان لأمتي من الغرق إذا ركبوا السفن والبحر أن يقولوا: بسم الله المالك * (وما قدروا الله حق قدره والأرض جميعا قبضته يوم القيامة والسماوات مطويات بيمينه سبحانه وتعالى عما يشركون) * * (بسم الله مجراها ومرساها إن ربي لغفور رحيم) *.
“Protection for my umrah from drowning when they ride the ships and the sea (in general) is that they recite (the following two verses):
وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدۡرِهِۦ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ جَمِیعࣰا قَبۡضَتُهُۥ یَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِیَـٰمَةِ وَٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰتُ مَطۡوِیَّـٰتُۢ بِیَمِینِهِۦۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا یُشۡرِكُونَ﴾ [الزمر ٦٧])
They have not shown Allaah His due reverence—when on the Day of Judgment the ˹whole˺ earth will be in His Grip, and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified and Exalted is He above what they associate ˹with Him˺! [Zumar 67]
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ مَجۡرٜىٰهَا وَمُرۡسَىٰهَاۤۚ إِنَّ رَبِّی لَغَفُورࣱ رَّحِیمࣱ﴾ [هود ٤١]
“In the Name of Allaah it will sail and cast anchor. Surely my Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Hud 41]
[Tabaraani, Abu Ya’la]
Firstly, the authenticity of the above narration is debated. The scholars advise that is suitable for practice in consideration of the collective strength of the chains. Secondly, the recitations above are prescribed for when riding a watercraft. However, it is possible that Allaah Ta’aala, out of His infinite grace and mercy, extends it to other forms of travel as well. What you have been told may be based on this.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best.
Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury
Darul Iftaa New York
https://askthemufti.us/
وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين
__________________
Disclaimer
Darul Iftaa New York answers questions on issues pertaining to Shari’ah. These questions and answers are placed for public view on askthemufti.us for educational purposes. The rulings given here are based on the questions posed and should be read in conjunction with the questions. Many answers are unique to a particular scenario and cannot be taken as a basis to establish a ruling in another situation.
Darul Iftaa New York bears no responsibility with regard to its answers being used out of their intended contexts, nor with regard to any loss or damage that may be caused by acting on its answers or not doing so.
References and links to other websites should not be taken as an endorsement of all contents of those websites.
Answers may not be used as evidence in any court of law without prior written consent of Darul Iftaa New York.