Know the important Hadith on travel as well as the etiquettes and manners of travelling in Islam. Find out the Intentions for travellers and Istikhara dua in English and Arabic with translation.
Before embarking upon a journey it is preferable to do Istikharah (which literally means to seek goodness). Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has mentioned with regards to Istikharah, “The person who does Istikharah will never suffer loss”
The method of Istikharah, is that if it is not a time of the day when Salaah is prohibited or disliked, one should perform two Rakaats of Nafl Salaah and thereafter seek guidance and goodness from Allah (Subhanahu-Sa-Tha'ala) in the form of dua. The dua of Istikharah is in the Travel Dua section.
While reciting this Du'aa when one reaches HAADHAL AMR (THIS MATTER) at both places one should ponder over the matter that one requires guidance on.
It is not always that one will see a dream guiding him towards what he/she should or should not do. In many cases a person just feels inclined towards a certain decision. Whatever the case might be, after doing istikhara one should act upon what one is more inclined towards after the Istikhaarah and by doing so there will always be good in the decision that he/she makes Inshallah. If one is still uncertain, one should repeat the Istikhara and also consult the pious, Allah fearing person and seek their guidance as well.
However, if one does not have the opportunity to do Istikhara in the above mentioned manner, or one requires to make a quick decision regarding a certain matter, then one should recite the following dua in abundance, اللهم خر لي واختر لي , (Allaahumma khir li wakh tar li), meaning, "O Allah, Choose the correct thing for me and you make the decision for me."
It is permissible for one to ask someone else to do Istikhara for oneself. However, one should also do Istikhara oneself.
Any decision made after Istikhara will Inshallah be beneficial.
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 endeavour 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.
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.
To meet friends and relatives, find out regarding 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 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 travelling to a place other than the Haramain Sharifain, then too one could intend that one‘s travel is so that one becomes accustomed to travel 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 to do good acts at the various places that are on one‘s route.
13.To learn about the conditions of the community and endeavour 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.
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.
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:The Prophet (SAW) said, "If the people knew what I know about traveling alone, then nobody would travel alone at night."
Malik related to me from Abu Ubayd, the mawla of Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik from Khalid ibn Madan who attributed it to the Prophet (SAW) "Allah, the Blessed and Exalted is kind and loves kindness. He is pleased with it and helps you with it as long as it is not misplaced. When you ride dumb beasts, stop them in their stopping places, and quicken their pace when the land is barren. Travel by night, because the land is travelled faster at night than it is during the day. Beware of pitching tents on the road, for it is the path of animals and the abode of snakes.
On the authority of Abu Huraira that the Prophet (SAW) said: Travelling is a tortuous experience. It deprives a person of his sleep, his food and drink. When one of you has accomplished his purpose, he should hasten his return to his family.
It has been narrated on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) would not come (back) to his family by night. He would come to them in the morning or in the evening. Another version of the tradition narrated on some authority is worded differently. It says: (He) would not enter (upon his household at night).
Kathir ibn Qays said: I was sitting with AbudDarda' in the mosque of Damascus.
A man came to him and said: AbudDarda, I have come to you from the town of the Apostle of Allah (SAW) for a tradition that I have heard you relate from the Apostle of Allah (SAW). I have come for no other purpose.
He said: I heard the Apostle of Allah (SAW) say: If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion.
