What dua do I say when saying goodbye to someone?

The sunnah goodbye dua is "Astawdi'ullaha dinaka wa amanataka wa khawatima 'amalik" (I entrust to Allah your religion, your trust and the last of your deeds). The Prophet ﷺ said it to people setting off on a journey. For everyday goodbyes, simply saying "As-salamu 'alaykum" is the sunnah.

Everyday goodbyes: the salam

Many converts don't realise that the salam isn't only for "hello". The Prophet ﷺ said that when you arrive at a gathering you should give salam, and when you leave you should give salam too, and the first is not more deserving than the last (Sunan Abi Dawud 5208). So when you leave a friend's house, end a shift, or hang up a call with a Muslim, "As-salamu 'alaykum" is the ideal goodbye.

The reply is "Wa 'alaykum as-salam", and adding more is even better:

وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا۟ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَآ أَوْ رُدُّوهَآ "And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]." Quran 4:86

When someone is travelling

When a person was leaving on a journey, the Prophet ﷺ would take their hand and say: "Astawdi'ullaha dinaka wa amanataka wa khawatima 'amalik" (Sunan Abi Dawud 2600). It asks Allah to look after the most precious things the traveller carries: their faith, their responsibilities and how their deeds end.

A man once told the Prophet ﷺ he was about to travel and asked for advice. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Zawwadakallahu at-taqwa" (may Allah provide you with taqwa), then added prayers for forgiveness and for good to be made easy for him wherever he went (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3444).

What the traveller can say back

The person leaving can reply: "Astawdi'ukumullaha alladhi la tadi'u wada'i'uh" (I entrust you to Allah, whose trusts are never lost). The Prophet ﷺ used these words when seeing off Abu Hurayrah (Sunan Ibn Majah 2825). It's a lovely thing to say to parents or a spouse at the airport. See What dua do I say when I travel?

Goodbyes with non-Muslim friends and family

With non-Muslims, a warm "Take care", "Safe travels" or "God bless" is fine. Many scholars hold that the full Islamic salam is for Muslims, but you can still say kind words and make dua for them quietly, including for guidance. Leaving people with a smile and a kind word is part of good manners. See What dua do I say when leaving the house?

Key points

"As-salamu 'alaykum" is the sunnah goodbye as well as greeting.
For travellers: "Astawdi'ullaha dinaka wa amanataka wa khawatima 'amalik".
"Zawwadakallahu at-taqwa" is a beautiful send-off dua.
The traveller can reply by entrusting their family to Allah.

Tip: Next time you drop someone at the station or airport, hold their hand for a second and say "Astawdi'ullaha dinak". It's short, it's sunnah, and people remember it long after the trip.

What dua do I say when saying goodbye to someone?

Everyday goodbyes: the salam

When someone is travelling

What the traveller can say back

Goodbyes with non-Muslim friends and family

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