How to treat fear of air travel
Fatwa No: 22768

Question

I like traveling by air. However the moment I get on the plan, I start feeling worried and nervous. What would you advise me to do?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alyhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

 

Perhaps  you feel worried and nervous when you get on a plane because you expect a plane crash or something. However, you should not give in to such fears. The best cure for this is to be confident that disasters and death are in the Hands of Allaah the Almighty, and that nothing will afflict you except what has been predestined for you. Allaah the Almighty Says (what means): {Say, "Never will we be struck except by what Allaah has decreed for us; He is our protector." And upon Allaah let the believers rely.} [Quran 9:51].

Moreover in a Hadeeth on the authority of Zayd ibn Thaabit the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned that if a person spends a lot of money for the sake of Allaah the Almighty, it will nonetheless be of no benefit to him until he believes in fate and is confident that whatever is decreed to afflict him will never miss him, and whatever is decreed to miss him can never afflict him. He added that whoever dies without believing in this is destined for Hell. [Ibn Maajah]. In this way you will no longer feel worried or anxious, Allaah willing.

Moreover, we advise you to resort to supplication. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Jareer ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Bajali he mentioned complaining to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, that he could not have a firm ride on his horses. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, supplicated Allaah on his behalf, saying: “Allaahumma thabit-hu waj‘alhu haadiyan mahdiyyan (O Allaah, make him steady, grant him guidance, and make him guide others.)” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Allaah Knows best.

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