2. Meet your family members and friends before setting out on a journey (e.g. when travelling for umrah or hajj) and ask them to make dua for you.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “When any of you intends travelling, then he should meet his Muslim brothers (i.e. family and friends and ask them to make dua for him). Indeed their dua added to his dua will be a means of him gaining goodness (during his travel).” ^[3]

3. Inform your family members of your destination and place of residence during your journey so that it will be possible for them to contact you.

4. At the time of departure, recite the masnoon dua of safar:

بِسْمِ اللهِ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه سُبْحَانَ الَّذِيْ سَخَّرَ لَنَا هٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِيْنَ وَإِنَّا إِلٰى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُوْنَ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِيْ فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

In the name of Allah Ta‘ala. All praise be to Allah Ta‘ala, Glory be to Allah Ta‘ala who has subjugated this animal (or placed this vehicle under our control) though we were unable to control it (without His help). Surely, to our Rabb are we to return. All praise be to Allah Ta‘ala. All praise be to Allah Ta‘ala. All praise be to Allah Ta‘ala. Allah Ta‘ala is the greatest. Allah Ta‘ala is the greatest. Allah Ta‘ala is the greatest. There is no deity worthy of worship besides Allah Ta‘ala. (O Allah Ta‘ala) You are most pure. O Allah Ta‘ala, indeed I have oppressed myself so forgive me, for there is none who forgives sins except You. ^[4]

5. It is preferable to begin a journey on a Thursday. Hence, if it is possible for you to travel on a Thursday, then you should begin your journey on a Thursday. Commencing a journey on any other day is also permissible. ^[5]

Hazrat Ka’b bin Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “It was the habit of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that when he intended embarking on a journey, he would generally depart on a Thursday. ^[6]

Hazrat Ka’b bin Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) departed on Thursday for the battle of Tabuk, and he used to like departing on a Thursday.” ^[7]

6. Ensure that you have sufficient provisions for the journey e.g. petrol, clothing, spending money, etc. ^[8]

It is reported that Hazrat Ibnu Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) said, “It is part of the honour and nobility of a man that he takes along sufficient provisions during his journey.” ^[9]

7. If you are leaving behind your dependants e.g. wife and children etc. then before leaving, ensure that sufficient arrangements are made for their needs and requirements to be fulfilled during your absence. ^[10]

8. While on journey, ensure that you remain in pious company. Remaining in pious company will motivate you towards righteousness. ^[11]

9. If you are travelling in a group, then be polite and respectful in your conduct, and if you have sufficient provisions, then share your meals and other provisions with your companions.

Hazrat Abu Sa’eed (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports: On one occasion, we were on a journey with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) when suddenly, a person riding a conveyance had come before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). The person was in difficulty and hardship and was looking towards the right and the left in order to see if anyone could assist him in fulfilling his needs. On that occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) exhorted the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) saying, “Whoever has an extra conveyance should assist the one who does not have any conveyance. The one who has extra provisions with him should assist those who do not have provisions.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued mentioning the different types of wealth (which a person should spend in sadaqah), encouraging and exhorting the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to spend to such an extent that we felt as though the one who possesses anything exceeding his needs does not have a right to hold it back (rather, he should share it with those in need). ^[12]

10. Keep others comfortable and be of service to them during the journey.

Hazrat Sahl bin Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The leader of the people during the journey is the one who serves them (i.e. the leader should serve his people, or the one who is serving others should be treated with respect, like a leader, even though he appears to be a servant by serving others). The one who surpasses others through serving people, they will never be able to surpass him through any action except through acquiring martyrdom (as through serving people, he has a share in all the righteous works that they carry out).” ^[13]

^[1] المصنف لابن أبي شيبة، الرقم: 4914، قال الشيخ محمد عوامة في تعليقه على المصنف: هذا الحديث مرسل أو معضل وإسناده حسن … ومن شواهد حديث المطعم من حيث الجملة ما رواه الطبراني في الكبير، الرقم: 10469 عن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه أن رجلا استأذن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في تجارة إلى البحرين فقال له صل ركعتين وإسناده حسن

^[2] المصنف لابن أبي شيبة، الرقم: 11915، وقال الشيخ محمد عوامة في تعليقه على المصنف: إسناد المصنف صحيح

^[3] المعجم الأوسط، الرقم: 2842 وقال البوصيري في إتحاف الخيرة، الرقم:6241 : هذا إسناد ضعيف لضعف عمرو بن الحصين

^[4] سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 2602، سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 3446 وقال: هذا حديث حسن صحيح

^[5] يستحب أن يكون سفره يوم الخميس (الإيضاح في مناسك الحج والعمرة صـ 59)

^[6] صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 2949

^[7] صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 2950

^[8] عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: كان أهل اليمن يحجون ولا يتزودون ويقولون: نحن المتوكلون فإذا قدموا مكة سألوا الناس فأنزل الله تعالى: وتزودوا فإن خير الزاد التقوى (صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 1523)

^[9] تفسير ابن كثير 1/297

^[10]الحج واجب على الأحرار البالغين العقلاء الأصحاء إذا قدروا على الزاد والراحلة فاضلا عن مسكنه وما لا بد منه وعن نفقة عياله إلى حين عوده وكان الطريق آمنا (مختصر القدوري صـ 66)

^[11] عن علقمة قال: قدمت الشأم فصليت ركعتين ثم قلت: اللهم يسر لي جليسا صالحا فأتيت قوما فجلست إليهم فإذا شيخ قد جاء حتى جلس إلى جنبي قلت من هذا قالوا أبو الدرداء فقلت: إني دعوت الله أن ييسر لي جليسا صالحا فيسرك لي (صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 3287) ينبغي أن يطلب له رفيقا موافقا راغبا في الخير كارها للشر إن نسي ذكره وإن ذكر أعانه وإن تيسر مع هذا كونه من العلماء فليتمسك به فإنه يعينه على مبار الحج ومكارم الأخلاق ويمنعه بعلمه وعمله من سوء ما يطرأ على المسافر من مساوىء الأخلاق والضجر (الإيضاح في مناسك الحج والعمرة صـ 57)

^[12] صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 1728

^[13] شعب الإيمان، الرقم: 8050، وفي سنده ضعف كما في المقاصد الحسنة صـ 395