Travelling with Taqwa: Lessons from the Hadith of Ibn Abbas
- marcom401
- Nov 20, 2025
- 9 min read
Written by: Ustaz Erwin Shah Effandy
The well-known hadith of Ibn Abbas has been studied, memorised, and benefited from throughout the history of our Islamic tradition. It is a timeless reminder to safeguard the rights of Allah s.w.t so that He will safeguard us.
What is often overlooked is the context in which this profound advice was given. Ibn Abbas was a young boy, riding behind the Prophet s.a.w on a journey when the Prophet s.a.w imparted to him these golden words. It was during travel, a moment of movement and transition, that the Prophet s.a.w taught him these principles.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: "كُنْت خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم يَوْمًا، فَقَالَ: يَا غُلَامِ! إنِّي أُعَلِّمُك كَلِمَاتٍ: احْفَظْ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْك، احْفَظْ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَك، إذَا سَأَلْت فَاسْأَلْ اللَّهَ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْت فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاَللَّهِ، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْأُمَّةَ لَوْ اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوك بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوك إلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَك، وَإِنْ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَضُرُّوك بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَضُرُّوك إلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْك؛ رُفِعَتْ الْأَقْلَامُ، وَجَفَّتْ الصُّحُفُ" . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ [رقم:2516] وَقَالَ: حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ.
وَفِي رِوَايَةِ غَيْرِ التِّرْمِذِيِّ: "احْفَظْ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ أمامك، تَعَرَّفْ إلَى اللَّهِ فِي الرَّخَاءِ يَعْرِفُك فِي الشِّدَّةِ، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ مَا أَخْطَأَك لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُصِيبَك، وَمَا أَصَابَك لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُخْطِئَك، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ النَّصْرَ مَعَ الصَّبْرِ، وَأَنْ الْفَرَجَ مَعَ الْكَرْبِ، وَأَنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
Ibn Abbas r.a. said:
“One day, I was riding behind the Messenger of Allah s.a.w when he said to me: ‘O young boy, I am going to teach you some words: Guard the rights of Allah and He will guard you; guard the rights of Allah and you will find Him before you. When you ask, ask from Allah, and when you seek help, seek help from Allah. And know that if the whole nation were to gather to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you except with what Allah has written for you; and if they gathered to harm you, they would not harm you except with what Allah has written against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.
In another narration, he, s.a.w, added: ‘Recognise Allah in times of ease and He will recognise you in times of hardship; know that what missed you was never meant to reach you, and what reached you was never meant to miss you; and know that victory comes with patience, relief comes with distress, and that with hardship comes ease.’”
Let us carry these prophetic advices into our own journeys, imagining them being spoken to us directly by the Prophet s.a.w. As the holidays draw near and many of us prepare to travel, this hadith becomes especially relevant. It reminds us that whether we find ourselves on the road, in the air, or far from home, Allah’s protection accompanies those who uphold His rights.
Here are 7 principles extracted from the hadith that we can implement in our travels:
Guard Allah and He will guard you
When travelling, we should prioritise Allah’s rights, obey all of his commands, abstain from all of his prohibitions and honour His boundaries. We attain all this by acts such as maintaining our prayers on time, combining and shortening when needed (Jama’ & Qasar); guarding our eyes, speech, and behaviour in new environments; and by beginning our journeys with duʿa such as Du’a al-Safar. When we uphold Allah’s rights wherever we go, we place ourselves under His protection, trusting that the One we prioritise will in turn prioritise our safety, well-being, and ease throughout the journey. Allah s.w.t mentions in surah Qaf:
هَٰذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ لِكُلِّ أَوَّابٍ حَفِيظٍ (32) مَّنْ خَشِيَ الرَّحْمَٰنَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَجَاءَ بِقَلْبٍ مُّنِيبٍ (33)
This is what you are promised for every servant who constantly turns (to Allah) and guards (His commands); Those who fear the Most Merciful in private, and who come (to Him) with a heart that is repentant and returning.”
Conversely, if a person neglects Allah s.w.t during his travels, abandoning His commands and crossing His boundaries, then he should not expect divine protection. Whoever abandons Allah, Allah will abandon him, such that when a calamity strikes, he finds no safeguarding, no ease, and no divine assistance. Some of the Salaf would say:
إني لأعصي الله فأعرف ذلك في خلق خادمي ودابتي
“Indeed, I commit a sin, and I can see its effects in the behaviour of my servant and in the temperament of my riding animal.”
Even the smallest act of disobedience brings visible consequences, and distance from Allah s.w.t removes the unseen protection and barakah that once surrounded a person.
You will find Allah before you
This reminds us to rely on Allah s.w.t whenever we face uncertainty, such as at airports, immigration, long roads, or dark routes. Begin every part of our journey with ‘Bismillah,’ and approach unexpected delays or problems with tawakkul instead of panic. By keeping Allah s.w.t at the forefront of our mind and actions, we place ourselves under His guidance, trusting that He is directing our steps even when the path ahead seems unclear.
This is exemplified in the story of Prophet Musa and Harun, when they feared confronting Firaun. Allah s.w.t reassured them by reminding that divine support and guidance accompany those who trust Him, even in daunting circumstances:
قَالَ لَا تَخَافَآ ۖ إِنَّنِى مَعَكُمَآ أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ ٤٦
Do not fear, for I am indeed with you both — I hear and I see’
If you ask, ask Allah
This reminds us to turn to Allah s.w.t in every need during travel, and indeed, making duʿa is an act of worship. Make du’a for a smooth check-in, a safe flight, good company, and easy routes. One of the times where our du’a is being accepted by Allah is during travel, as mentioned in a hadith:
ثلاثُ دعواتٍ مستجاباتٌ لا شَكَّ فيهِنَّ ؛ دَعوةُ المظلومِ ، ودعوةُ المسافرِ ، ودعوةُ الوالدِ على ولدِهِ
Three supplications are answered without any doubt: the supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveller, and the supplication of a parent upon his child.
Seek Allah’s guidance before choosing accommodation, companions, or making any major decisions on your journey. And when you feel lost or unsure, pause and call upon Him with a simple prayer, such as: ‘Ya Allah, guide me to what is safe and best.’ By asking Allah first, we place our trust in the One whose guidance never fails. This form of Ubudiyyah is truly praiseworthy, for it reflects a servant turning to the One who controls and governs all affairs, seeking help and guidance from the Owner of everything.
One of the Du’a that we can make a habit of reading is the Du’a taught by the Prophet s.a.w:
أنَّ رَسولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلَّمَ كانَ إذَا اسْتَوَى علَى بَعِيرِهِ خَارِجًا إلى سَفَرٍ، كَبَّرَ ثَلَاثًا، ثُمَّ قالَ:
The Prophet s.a.w, when he mounted his camel to go on a journey, would say takbir (Allahu Akbar) three times, then say:
سُبْحَانَ الذي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هذا، وَما كُنَّا له مُقْرِنِينَ، وإنَّا إلى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ
Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hatha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibun
Glory be to the One Who has subjected this for us, though we could never have managed it ourselves, and to our Lord we shall surely return.
اللَّهُمَّ إنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ في سَفَرِنَا هذا البِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ العَمَلِ ما تَرْضَى
Allahumma inna nasaluka fi safarina hatha al-birra wa at-taqwa wa mina al-amal ma tarda
O Allah, we ask You in this journey of ours for righteousness and piety, and for deeds that please You.
اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هذا، وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ
Allahumma hawwin alayna safarana hatha watwi anna bu’dahu
O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance for us.
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ في السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ في الأهْلِ
Allahumma anta as-sahibu fi as-safar wal-khalifa fi al-ahl
O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Guardian over the family.
اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَعُوذُ بكَ مِن وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ المَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ المُنْقَلَبِ في المَالِ وَالأهْلِ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min wa’tha’i as-safar wa kaabat al-manzar wa su’i al-munqalabi fi al-mal wal-ahl
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, from a gloomy outlook, and from an evil return regarding wealth and family.’
And when he returned, he would say the same words and add:
آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ عَابِدُونَ، لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ
A’ibuna taibun abidun li rabbina hamidun
Returning, repenting, worshipping, praising our Lord.
If you seek help, seek help from Allah
This teaches us a deeper aspect of Ubudiyyah beyond simply asking duʿa. Asking Allah is turning to Him for what we need; guidance, provision, or safety. Seeking His help (isti‘anah) is asking for strength, support, and the ability to act in difficult situations. It reminds us that while we may use tools, resources, or people, true success and protection come from Allah alone.
When facing challenges during travel such as delays, sickness, turbulence, or vehicle problems start by turning to Allah: Say:
“O Allah, help me be patient and overcome these difficulties.”
By seeking Allah’s strength first, we trust that He empowers us to handle every challenge safely and with ease.
“And know that if the entire nation were to gather to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you except with what Allah has written for you, and if they were to gather to harm you, they would not harm you except with what Allah has written against you”
Nothing in this world; no envy, sabotage, harmful people, or unlucky circumstances, can truly affect us except by Allah’s decree. When our plans change or our travel itinerary does not go as expected, we should remind ourselves: “This was written; Allah turned me away from something for a reason.” And if hardships arise along the way, we accept them with patience, knowing they are part of His divine wisdom. We may plan our itineraries and prepare for our journeys, but our ultimate trust must be in Allah’s decree, for He alone determines what reaches us and what does not. By internalizing this, we travel with peace of heart, free from fear and worry, resting in the knowledge that Allah is fully in control of every step we take.
We must nurture a firm conviction that Allah always knows what is best for us, even when our own desires or judgments fall short. A person may long for something that appears beneficial, yet in reality it could bring harm or difficulty. And at times, we may dislike something that, with Allah’s wisdom, turns out to carry goodness or protection.
Allah reminds us of this profound truth in Surah al-Baqarah:
وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّۭ لَّكُمْۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Perhaps you dislike something while it is good for you, and perhaps you love something while it is bad for you. Allah knows, while you do not know
This ayah teaches the believer to walk through life, especially through the uncertainties of travel, with tawakkul, surrender, and acceptance of Allah’s perfect wisdom.
A relatable example for travellers is to imagine someone preparing for a journey they are excited about: a long-awaited trip, family visit, or even a religious journey such as umrah. On the day of departure, their flight gets delayed, rescheduled, or even cancelled. Naturally, they feel disappointed, frustrated, or anxious.
But shortly after, they learn that severe weather struck the original flight path, or the aircraft had a technical issue, or the delay allowed them to fix an important matter they would have otherwise overlooked.
What felt like “Why is this happening to me?” “This ruined my plans.” may actually have been Allah’s way of protecting, delaying for wisdom, or redirecting toward something better.
This is exactly the meaning of the ayat “you may dislike the delay, but Allah placed hidden good in it; you may love your original plan, but Allah protected you from unseen harm”
Recognise Allah in times of ease, and He will recognise you in times of hardship.
When our travels are smooth and comfortable, we should remember Allah even more, not less. If we enjoy beautiful scenery, delicious food, or any form of comfort, we praise and thank Allah s.w.t frequently. By nurturing our connection with Him during times of ease, we prepare our hearts to remain peaceful and steadfast when facing difficulties or danger, trusting that Allah’s support and recognition will be with us in every circumstance. The Prophet s.a.w said in a hadith:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم:
" مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَسْتَجِيبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عِنْدَ الشَّدَائِدِ وَالْكُرَبِ فَلْيُكْثِرِ الدُّعَاءَ فِي الرَّخَاءِ"
“Whoever wishes that Allah responds to his duʿa in times of hardship and distress, let him increase his duʿa in times of ease”
And know that victory comes with patience, and with hardship comes ease.
Last but not least, when we are faced with inconveniences such as delays, long lines, frustrating traffic, or delayed flights, these are opportunities to practice sabr. If our luggage is lost or our transport is missed, we should calmly remind ourselves: “With hardship comes ease.” Difficulties encountered during travel are temporary, and relief will follow.
If we cannot travel now, we should trust in Allah’s plan, knowing that this “hardship” will, by His will, be eased soon. It may be that Allah is saving something better for us, or that traveling at this time could bring unforeseen difficulties. Trust in His plan and be content (redha) if things do not go as we intended. We make our plans, but Allah is the Best of Planners. This serves as a reminder that every challenge is paired with Allah’s ease, and maintaining patience allows us to experience that ease fully.
Ibn Rejab Al-Hanbali mentions that the subtle secrets of the connection between relief and hardship, and ease with difficulty is that when hardships intensifies, becomes severe and reaches its extreme, the servant loses hope of it being removed by the creations (people) and attaches the heart to only Allah s.w.t alone. This is then only we experience true tawakkul (reliance upon Allah). Verily Allah affirms this is surah At-Talaq:
وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ
And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He is sufficient for them
الله أعلم
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