(166) Chapter: The Desirability of setting on a Journey on Thursday in the Early part of the Day

Ka'b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) set out on Thursday for the expedition of Tabuk. He liked to set out on a journey on Thursdays.

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

(166) Chapter: The Desirability of setting on a Journey on Thursday in the Early part of the Day

Sakhr bin Wada'ah Al-Ghamidi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "O Allah! Bless my people in the early part of the day (morning). Whenever he dispatched a detachment or an army-unit, he would dispatch it at the beginning of the day (soon after dawn). The narrator, Sakhr (May Allah be pleased with him) was a merchant, and he used to send off his merchandise at the beginning of the day. So his trade flourished and he made a good fortune.

[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Commentary: The two Ahadith mentioned above point out the desirability to set off on a journey, business trip, Jihad or anything like that.

(167) Chapter: The Desirability of undertaking a Journey in a Group and appointing a Leader

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Were people to know of what I know about the dangers of travelling alone, no rider would travel alone at night."

[Al-Bukhari].

Commentary: Lonely travelling, whatever its form, is inadvisable at night and can cause many inconveniences. These inconveniences include deprivation of performing congregational prayers, feelings of loneliness and isolation and facing unexpected situations and damages. But the real reasons behind this prohibition, only Allah knows.

(167) Chapter: The Desirability of undertaking a Journey in a Group and appointing a Leader

'Amr bin Shu'aib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A single rider is (accompanied with) Satan and two riders are (accompanied with) two Satans. Three riders form a group."

[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Commentary: The Hadith tells us that at least three travelling companions are preferable, because if they are only two, one may drop due to some emergency and the other will remain alone. One or two riders (travellers) have been described in the Hadith as "accompanied with Satan'' and this means that they can hardly escape the devil. However, in case of three, they will remain immune from satanic insinuations.

(167) Chapter: The Desirability of undertaking a Journey in a Group and appointing a Leader

Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When three persons set out on a journey, they should appoint one of them as their leader."

[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: Choosing anyone as leader means that a journey should be undertaken under his guidance and instructions. This has many benefits. The person to be appointed as a leader over a group of travellers, should fulfill certain important conditions, including the fact that he should be the most knowledgeable in religious matters and travelling conditions.

(167) Chapter: The Desirability of undertaking a Journey in a Group and appointing a Leader

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The best number of companions is four; the best detachment is four hundred and the best army is four thousand; and twelve thousand men will not be defeated as a result of smallness of number."

[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Commentary: An army of twelve thousand soldiers, if endowed with strong faith and resolve, is enough to face even an army of large size. It cannot be defeated merely on the basis of number. Some other factors accounting for its defeat may not be ruled out, but it will not be overpowered for its small number.

(168) Chapter: Etiquette of Staying, Riding, Encamping at night and sleeping during the Journey and other matters relating to the Journey

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "When you travel through green and lush land, give the camels their due from the ground, and when you travel through a dry and barren land, make them walk quickly lest their strength falters. When you encamp at night, keep away from the roads, for beasts pass there and they are the resort of insects at night."

[Muslim].

Commentary: The Prophet (PBUH) commanded us to take care of the animal's food. If grass or fodder will not be available on the way, we should make our animal run faster so as to reach our destination before it is exhausted. There is another instruction for us. In case we happen to stop at night for rest, we should camp away from roads. This will ensure our safety as well as save others from inconvenience.

(168) Chapter: Etiquette of Staying, Riding, Encamping at night and sleeping during the Journey and other matters relating to the Journey

Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) encamped at night during a journey, he would lie down on his right side, and when he stayed a little before dawn he would raise his forearm and place his head on the palm of his hand.

[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that we should be fully regardful of the performance of prayer, particularly during a journey. We must make sure we perform prayer at the right time.

(168) Chapter: Etiquette of Staying, Riding, Encamping at night and sleeping during the Journey and other matters relating to the Journey

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Keep to travelling by night because the earth is folded (traversed more easily) during the night."

[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: According to this Hadith, we should preferably travel at night, particularly late at night. After having slept in the first part of night, one feels invigorated and fresh enough to restart one's journey.

(168) Chapter: Etiquette of Staying, Riding, Encamping at night and sleeping during the Journey and other matters relating to the Journey

Abu Tha'labah Al-Khushani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Whenever the people encamped during the journey, they would disperse in the mountain passes and valleys. (When) the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) noticed this he said, "Your act of scattering in the mountain passes and valleys is from Satan." Afterwards the Companions kept close together whenever they encamped.

[Abu Dawud].


Commentary: This Hadith teaches us not to encamp during a journey but in the company of others in order to create an atmosphere of intimacy and cooperation.

(168) Chapter: Etiquette of Staying, Riding, Encamping at night and sleeping during the Journey and other matters relating to the Journey

Sahl bin 'Amr known as Ibn Al-Hanzaliyyah reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) happened to pass by a camel whose belly was sticking to its back (because of hunger), whereupon he said, "Fear Allah in respect of these dumb (animals). Ride them while they are fit, and slaughter them and eat their meat when they are fit."

[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: This Hadith lays emphasis on taking care of animals. Because if they are hungry or you overload them, they will not be able to speak out their suffering to you in human language. You are, therefore, supposed to take care of their food and other requirements by yourself. In case you fail in your duty to them, Allah will take you to task. Moreover, eating the flesh of sick and lean animals is unhygienic and can endanger health. Whereas, the flesh of a healthy and robust animal gives energy and strength to human body.

(168) Chapter: Etiquette of Staying, Riding, Encamping at night and sleeping during the Journey and other matters relating to the Journey

Abu Ja'far 'Abdullah bin Ja'far (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made me ride behind him one day and confided something to me which I shall never disclose to anyone. ('Abdullah added:) He ((ﷺ) preferred to screen himself from others when responding to the call of nature, either behind a wall or the trunk of a date-palm.

[Muslim].

Al-Barqani added: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered an orchid belonging to an Ansari and saw there a camel. When it saw him, it began to groan and its eyes shed tears. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) approached it and patted it on the hump and the base of its head until it quieted down. Then he (ﷺ) asked, "Who is the owner of this camel? To whom does it belong?" An Ansari youth stepped forward and said: "It is mine O Messenger of Allah!" He said, "Do you not fear Allah in respect of this beast which Allah has placed in your possession? This camel is complaining to me that you starve it and put it to toil."

[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: The Prophet (PBUH) must have divulged to the Companion something confidential for which he promised secrecy. Otherwise, anything concerning the Shari`ah should not be concealed. Second, if an animal has the capacity to carry two men, the rider can let another person sit behind him. Third, to give scanty food to an animal and to get the maximum out of it amounts to injustice. Islam disapproves this act. Animals should be fed to their fill and the amount of work to be done by them must also be not beyond their capacity. In this Hadith, there is a mention of the Prophet's miracle that a camel recognized him. He heard the camel's complaint and also understood it.

(168) Chapter: Etiquette of Staying, Riding, Encamping at night and sleeping during the Journey and other matters relating to the Journey

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
When we encamped, we would not offer (voluntary) prayers until we had unsaddled our beasts.

[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: It was the usual practice of the Companions that whenever they halted at some place to take rest during their journey, they would first of all unload their animals to give them comfort and relaxation. Then, they would perform voluntary Salat. This Hadith also throws light on the excellence of voluntary Salat in a journey.

(169) Chapter: Helping a Companion

Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
While we were travelling with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), a rider came and began to stare on the right and on the left. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who has an extra mount should hand it over to one who has none, and he who possesses surplus provision, should give it to him who is without provision." He named various kinds of possessions until we began to think (realize) that none of us had any right to anything surplus.

[Muslim].

Commentary: Nowadays, there is a great fanfare of money-lending institutions such as cooperative societies, the financing companies and insurance companies which are apparently helpful in resolving the financial crises of people. But all are rooted in interest system which is rejected outright by Islam for its exploitative nature. These so called cooperative institutions are indeed like blood-sucking leeches which ruin man. Islam, on the contrary, has given us a positive, simple and man-orientated formula of mutual cooperation. It teaches us that what can be spared should be given to those who need it. This obviates the chances of hoarding as well as the concentration of wealth in a few hands. No doubt, it is a moral instruction. But if Muslims, called as a single body, develop a true sense and awareness of it, wonderful results can accrue from it on a large social scale. What is more, the sublimity of man's Faith and moral behavior stands on it. One who is indifferent to the perfection of Faith and morality may set it aside. But a man who rates Faith above everything can hardly afford to avoid putting this moral advice into practice.

(169) Chapter: Helping a Companion

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made up his mind to go in an expedition, he would say to us, "O Muhajirin and the Ansar! There are among you such people who have no property and no kinsfolk. Let everyone of you take along with him two or three men. None of us had a spare animal we took rides by turn." So I took two or three men with me and I rode my camel by turn equally with them.

[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: Firstly, this Hadith describes the Companions' condition in the early phase of Islam. Everybody participating in Jihad did not have an animal and so was the condition in respect of weapons and food. But in spite of all that, the Companions' zeal for Jihad was great. Secondly, it presents the picture of mutual cooperation which the Companions extended to one another. From all these considerations, emerges their distinctive place in history.

(169) Chapter: Helping a Companion

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to lag behind while travelling and urge the weak to walk quickly. He used to take up someone behind him and make supplication for him.

[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that the leader of a group (or Amir) should, during a journey, remain in the rear instead of the vanguard so that he may prop up the weak people and provide succour to the resourceless ones. Furthermore, he is presumed to pray for such people as the blessing of his prayer is likely to make up their deficiencies.

(170) Chapter: Supplication at the time of Riding

Allah, the Exalted, says:
"... and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride. In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the Favour of your Rubb when you mount thereon, and say: `Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts). And verily, to Our Rubb we indeed are to return!''' (43:12-14)

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mounted his camel for setting out on a journey, he would recite: "Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest)," thrice. Then he (ﷺ) would supplicate: "Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha, wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadh al-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-'amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alaina safarana hadha, watwi 'anna bu'dahu. Allahumma Antas-Sahibu fissafari, wal-Khalifatu fil- ahli. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'ta'is-safari, wa kaabatil- manzari, wa su'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahli wal-waladi (Far removed from imperfection is the One Who has made this subservient to us, for we have no power to subjugate it, and certainly to our Rubb shall we return. O Allah, we ask You during this journey of ours for righteousness, piety and such deeds as are pleasing to You. O Allah, make easy for us this journey of ours and make the distance short for us. O Allah, You are our Companion during the journey and the Guardian of the family and the property in our absence. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travelling, unhappiness connected with ghastly scenes and evil turns in property and family)." When he returned, he recited this supplication making addition of these words: "Ayibuna, ta'ibuna, 'abiduna, li-Rabbina hamidun (We are those who return; those who repent; those who worship and those who praise our Rubb)."

[Muslim].


Commentary: This is a very comprehensive prayer. Man is not safe from dangers during a journey and in his absence, safety of his household may worry him, too. In this prayer, Allah is entreated to ensure the safety of the two in most effective words. And none can harm that person who comes under the Watch and Protection of Allah. This prayer should be recited upon starting on a journey as well as returning from it.

(170) Chapter: Supplication at the time of Riding

'Abdullah bin Sarjis (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) proceeded on a journey, he would seek refuge in Allah from the hardships of the journey, and against deviation after guidance, and against the supplication of the oppressed, and occurrences of unpleasant events in the family and property. He would say: "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'is- safari, wa kaabatil-munqalabi, wal-hauri ba'dal-kauni, wa da'watil- mazlumi, wa su'il-manzari fil-ahli wal- mal."

[Muslim].


Commentary: The Prophet (PBUH) sought Divine refuge against the supplication of the oppressed because Allah immediately responds to it. It is, therefore, imperative that if a man has wronged anybody, he should recompense his wrongdoing before embarking on a journey because the malediction of the wronged may invoke Divine wrath exposing the wrongdoer to a risky and troublesome journey.

(170) Chapter: Supplication at the time of Riding

'Ali bin Rabi'ah reported:
In my presence, a beast was brought to 'Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) for riding. When he put his foot in the stirrup, he said: "Bismillah (With the Name of Allah)." When he had settled himself on its back he recited: "Al-hamdu lillahil-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha, wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. (All praise belongs to Allah Who has made this subservient to us, for we had not the strength to overpower it; and to our Rubb shall we return)." He then recited thrice: "Alhamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah)," and then three times: "Allahu Abkar (Allah is Greatest)." Then he said: "Subhanaka inni zalamtu nafsi faghfir li, innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta (You are far removed from imperfection I have wronged myself, so forgive me, because none but You can forgive sins)." Then he smiled. It was asked: "Why have you smiled, O Amir Al-Mu'minin (Leader of the Believers)?" He replied: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) doing as I have done. I (i.e., Ali) asked him (the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)) the reason for smiling. He (ﷺ) said, 'Your Rubb, Glorious is He, is pleased when His slave seeks His forgiveness. He (the slave) has firm faith that none except Allah Alone can forgive sins)'."

[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].


Commentary: After putting his foot into the stirrup, the rider should say: "Bismillah (With the Name of Allah).'' When he sits firm on the animal, he should recite the prayers mentioned in this Hadith and utter the Glorification and Magnification of Allah - "Al-hamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah)'' and "Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest).''
Moreover, this Hadith sheds light on the tremendous and matchless fervour of the Companions to follow the Prophet (PBUH). This Du`a is not restricted to riding an animal, but includes all means of transportation, such as the plane, the train and the car.

(171) Chapter: Glorification of Allah by a Traveler while Ascending and Descending

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
When we ascended (a height) we would proclaim: "Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest)," and when we descended (from the height) we would proclaim: "Subhan Allah (Allah is free from imperfection)."'

[Al-Bukhari].