Supplication on the Road
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا، وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ. رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ.
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ
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“Glory be to the One Who has subjected this to us, though we were not capable of it. And indeed, to our Lord we will surely return.”
Form: glorification (tasbih) and the acknowledgment of human weakness when mounting a means of transport (a horse, a camel, a car, an airplane).
Tafsir of Sheikh Abd al-Rahman al-Saadi
Sheikh as-Saadi writes: “A person must remember the favour of Allah when mounting a means of transport, glorify the Creator for subjecting to him strong animals and machines, and remember the greatest journey — the return to God.”
Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir
Ibn Kathir points out: “The Sunnah prescribes the recitation of this verse at the beginning of every journey and trip.”
Tafsir al-Baghawi
“…so that you may settle upon their backs (and decks)…” Here, Allah, the Exalted, does not mention the ships and animals themselves; rather, the meaning refers back to the word “that.”
“…and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon it…” This favor consists in His having subjected that upon which you travel over land and sea.
“…and (that you) say: ‘Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us…’” He has subjected this to us.
“…although we were not capable of doing so…” We were unable. It is also said: We could not do it.
“…And indeed, we will surely return to our Lord!’…” We will certainly return in the Hereafter.
In “Sahih Muslim” (No. 1342) it is narrated from Ibn Umar that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said “Allahu Akbar” three times when mounting his camel, and then recited precisely these verses.