The travels of this World are an example of one‘s travel towards the hereafter and are there to take lessons from. The objectives of these travels, amongst all other purposes, should always be to direct one‘s attention towards Allah (Subhanahu-Sa-Tha‘ala) and the hereafter. The best traveler is the one that takes lessons from the signs of Allah (Subhanahu-Wa-Tha‘ala) that he witnesses.
One should not pass by places without taking these important lessons from them. One should always be occupied in the preparation of the journey towards one‘s hereafter and hence, always strive to lead one‘s life in accordance with the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam). As such, whenever the occasion to travel may arise during one‘s life, one should endeavor to follow the practice and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam). In this way, one would be able to derive the benefits of these actions in both this World and the Hereafter.
The Intentions of Journey
When undertaking a journey, many different intentions could be added to one‘s core purpose of the journey, thereby making a permissible journey an act of Ibaadat and worship and thus being rewarded abundantly even for journeys that may outwardly not even appear to be virtuous acts.
One should make as many intentions as possible. The more virtuous the intentions, the more the reward! Remember that the intention of a believer is greater than his/her action.
The following are some intentions that one could make for one‘s travels:
1. To meet friends and relatives, find out about their well-being, please them by visiting them and maintain family ties.
2. Travelling with the intention of earning a Halal livelihood and fulfilling one‘s obligations in this regard, e.g. that I will earn Halal wealth and thereafter discharge Zakaat, Sadqatul Fitr, Qurbaani, go for Haj and Umrah, provide for my family, the poor and destitute and in other meritorious avenues.
3. To acquire good health because the Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) states that "Travel and attain good health!"
4. To acquire the knowledge of Deen or to propagate whatever one knows of Deen to others if one gets the correct opportunity.
5. To help the community in any sphere of their lives if the opportunity arises.
6. To visit the sick, console the calamity stricken and those in difficulty.
7. To pay condolences to the family of the deceased.
8. To move dangerous obstacles away from the road so that fellow road users are not inconvenienced.
9. To perform Haj or Umra. If one were traveling to a place other than the Haramain Sharifain, then one could intend that one‘s travel is so that one becomes accustomed to traveling to the Haramain Sharifain.
10. To visit the pious servants of Allah (Subhanahu-Sa-Tha‘ala) in the different parts of the World and learn from their advice.
11. To meet someone solely for the pleasure of Allah (Subhanahu-Sa-Tha‘ala) without there being any other objective.
12. To intend to make nafl I‘tikaaf in the different Masaajid that one will be visiting during one‘s journey and to intend to pray Salaah, make Zikr, engage in dua, and do good acts at the various places that are on one‘s route.
13. To learn about the conditions of the community and endeavor to assist in accordance with one‘s ability even if the most one is able to do is to make dua for them.
14. According to the Hadith, the dua of a traveler is accepted, hence, to travel with the intention of making dua.
15. To see the manifestations of the greatness of Allah (Subhanahu-Sa-Tha‘ala) by seeing different aspects of nature that have been created by Him in order to enhance His recognition.
In this manner, there are many intentions that a person can make before embarking upon a journey. The more the intentions, the greater the reward.
