Question
What is the Sunnah du’a of bidding farewell to someone?
Answer
It is sunnah to bid farewell before a journey.
In addition to making salam, one should recite the du’as mentioned in the following narrations when bidding farewell to someone:
1) Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) would say when bidding farewell to someone, ‘come close to me, allow me bid farewell to you just as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would bid farewell to us, he would then say:
Astawdi’ul laha dinaka wa amanataka wa khawatima ‘amalik
(أستودع الله دينك و أمانتك و خواتيم عملك)
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3443. Declared authentic –hasanun sahih– by Imam Tirmidhi)
Translation
I entrust your Din, your trusts and [all] your actions to Allah.
2) Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that once a man came to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said: ‘O Rasulullah, I intend to undertake a journey, so grant me some provision [make such a du’a for me, that the barakah of this du’a will serve as a provision for me in this journey]. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘ZawwadakAllahut taqwa’. The Sahabi said: ‘Give me more’. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘wa ghafara dhanbak’. The Sahabi said: ‘Give me more, may my parents be sacrificed for you’. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then said: ‘wa yassara lakal khayra haythuma kunta’
(زودك الله التقوى و غفر ذنبك و يسر لك الخير حيثما كنت)
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3444. Declared sound –hasan– by Imam Tirmidhi)
Translation
May Allah grant you taqwa as your provision, may He forgive your sins and may He make good easy for you wherever you may be.
3) Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that once a man came to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said: ‘O Rasulullah, I intend undertaking a journey, so advise me’. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Hold fast on to fearing Allah [taqwa], and reciting ‘Allahu Akbar’ when ascending any elevated place.’ When this Sahabi turned around [to leave], Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘Allahummat wi lahul bu’d wa hawwin ‘alayhis safar’
(أللهم اطو له البعد و هون عليه السفر)
(Sunan Tirmidhi. Hadith: 3445. Declared sound –hasan– by Imam Tirmidhi)
Translation
O Allah! Shorten the distance for him and make his travel easy
The person embarking on a journey, should recite the du’a mentioned in the following Hadith when bidding farewell to those he is leaving behind:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘Whomsoever intends undertaking a journey, should recite the following to those whom he is leaving behind:
‘Astawdi’ukumullahal ladhi la yudi’u wadai’ahu
(أستودعكم الله الذى لا يخيب\ لا يضيع ودائعه)
(Ibnus Sunni, Hadith: 508. Also see Al Adhkar and Al Hisnul Hasin)
Translation
I entrust you all to Allah, that Being who does not destroy his trusts
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar