Dua to Recite When Making Camp

Khawlah bint Hakim (may Allah be pleased with her) relates: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'Whoever makes camp somewhere and then recites this dua, nothing will harm him until he leaves that place where he stopped'" (Sahih Muslim, Dhikr 54). The Prophet concerned himself with every matter that needs to be taken into account while travelling, and gave the necessary warnings.

It is possible that some creatures may cause various harms to people. The likelihood of meeting with such incidents is especially great at the places where one stops during a journey. Alongside the material precautions to be taken in this regard, taking refuge in Allah - as an act of the servant's submission and an affirmation of belief in divine oneness - saves the Muslim from writhing in anxiety about coming to harm.

A Companion complained that he had spent the night struggling with a scorpion, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) reminded him: "If in the evening you had said, 'I take refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created,' it would not have troubled you" (Sahih Muslim, Dhikr 55). This dua is a powerful prayer of refuge that may be recited not only while travelling but every evening.