Make your Journey [travels] Easy & Spiritually Rewarding
NIYYAH(INTENTION):
Always ensure that your travels attain the pleasure of Allah and are within the confinements of sharia. The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [peace be upon him] said: "Surely every deed is judged by its intention" [Hadith-Bukhari] .
DUAS
There are duas for every occasion. There are sunnah duas when undertaking a journey. These duas will ensure protection and safety from difficulties that may be encountered. The Parent should read these duas aloud and the kids should repeat it after them so that they could memorise it.
The duas for traveling can be found on the internet at :
http://www.searchtruth.com/dua/index.php?dua=44
Please print these duas and take along with you on journey.
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Whoever says (upon leaving his house): `Bismillah, tawakkaltu `alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah [I begin with the Name of Allah; I trust in Allah; there is no altering of conditions but by the Power of Allah],' it will be said to him: 'You are guided, defended and protected.' The devil will go far away from him".[Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i]. Abu Dawud reported it with this addition: "One devil will say to another: 'How can you deal with a man who has been guided, defended and protected?".
ITERNARY
Ensure that your program includes activities and places that are Islamically acceptable. Exclude all haraam and immoral activities/places. Include places that will bring you closer to Allah. Don't let shaytaan beguile you into being neglectful of the commandments of Allah. Enjoy the great outdoors and see the signs of Allah in nature. A journey without an iternary is like a archer shooting aimlessly!
PREPARATIONS:
Now make a list of essentials:
AIR TRAVEL:
ü Airline ticket
ü Passport and copies ( leave copy at home)
ü Visas
ü Extra passport photos
ü Check arrival/departure times
ü Pack extra clothing in hand luggage in case bags are delayed/misplaced.
ü Order Halaal diet[most airlines require advance notice]
ü Currency
ü Label ALL items
ü Arrive early as many flights are overbooked
ü Avoid carrying prohibited items. Be aware of the latest list of prohibited items and do not carry anything (even something innocent) if it possibly could be construed as a weapon
ü Listen carefully to in-flight instructions
ü Be aware of your rights to privacy. If officials want to verify pictures than insist for a female to check females and a male to check males.
ü Book early so that you can choose your seats.
ü Check if all baggage is received. Report damaged/ missing bags before you leave airport.
LAND TRAVEL:
ü Check vehicle roadworthiness[spare wheel, etc]
ü Drivers license
ü Maps-en route info booklets
ü Navigational System-GPS(Remember to update)
ü Islamic CD's
ü Activities to keep kids occupied
GENERAL
Ø Mussallah[prayer mats]
Ø Compass[to determine direction of Qiblah]
Ø Water[ for ablution (wudhu and istinja)]
Ø Food for journey
Ø Toiletries
Ø Mobile[Cell] Charger
Ø Quran
Ø Tasbeeh[prayer beads]
Ø Islamic Books
Ø Islamic CD's
Ø Disposable Diapers if you have babies
Ø Water for drinking and cooler bag
Ø Extra keys for car
Ø Extra spectacles in case of emergency
Ø Flashlight
Ø Disposable towels
Ø Medication
Ø Appropriate clothing
Ø Sun Block lotions for sunny areas
Ø Islamic games to keep kids entertained.
Check Internet for:
Ø Salaah times[ various places ]
Ø Masjids
Ø Halaal food outlets- For car travel and day trips, it's advisable to pack your own food from home. It's less expensive, and you know what you're eating. But if you desire or need to eat out, check to make sure you're eating halaal!
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
v Be punctual with prayers even when on journey [salaah on journey is half but not maaf!]- this applies to both male and female.
v Always be engage in good and stay away from haraam , immoral places and activities- for you will die how you lived and be raised the way you die!
v Be careful of setting double standards before your kids. Kids are very observant. Allah is All Seeing and All Knowing. There is NO pleasure in the displeasure of Allah.
v Be sure to leave clear instructions in case of death. Draw up a will.
v Take safety precautions. Avoid traveling at night on quiet roads. Keep to speed limits.
v Pack carefully and lightly. Avoid unnecessary items. Keep sufficient edibles and drinks nearby to keep kids hydrated.
v EMERGENCIES: Have contact details easily available. First Aid travel kit essential.
v Make your stops at prayer times. Allow kids time to refresh,run and play.
v Spend time making Zikr- The Messenger of Allah [pbuh] informed us that we will not regret about anything in this life accept the time spent without zikr. Verily, in the Zikr of Allah do hearts find peace." (Surah Ra'd) ... "Verily, the remembrance of Allah is the greatest." (Surah Ahzaab) [Qurán]
v Take out sadaqah[charity] before the journey.
v Preparing for a journey can be stressful. So accommodate each other and overlook each others shortcomings. Be cheerful and polite. Always try and be helpful to others.
v Smile and be pleasant -- airport personnel and border control officers are doing their job to make travel safe for everyone. If you have an attitude it will only give people a bad impression of Muslims.
v Appropriate Dress-Dress Islamically. Be sure that kids dress appropriately in light, loose clothing (For young sisters wearing hijab, keep the scarves light colour and light weight). Ensure that children dress modestly. Not only will this make it easier for them to adhere to modest styles of dress as they get older, but it will also protect them from harmful UV rays. (Contrary to popular belief, light colored, loose fitting clothing which reflects heat is far more conducive to keeping cool then bare legs and bare arms which take in direct heat from the sun on a warm day.) Sun block for faces, hands and arms is very important to prevent health problems in the future. Avoid chemical sun-blocks if possible. Keep it natural. There are a wide variety of herbal sun-blocks available derived from organic sources which work well and smell better than commercial brands. Check into specialty shops that carry herbal products.
VALUABLE ADVISE FROM SUNNAH:
v Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Three supplications are answered without doubt. The supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveller, and the supplication of the parent for his son.''[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].
v Khaulah bint Hakim (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "Whosoever alights somewhere and says: `A`udhu bikalimat-illahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaqa (I seek refuge with the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created),' nothing will harm him until he leaves that place.''
v Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We returned with the Prophet (PBUH) from a journey; and when we entered the suburbs of Al-Madinah, he (PBUH) said: "Ayibuna, ta'ibuna, `abiduna, li-Rabbina hamidun (We are returning in safety, turning to our Rubb, worshipping Him and praising Him).'' He (PBUH) continued repeating these words till we entered Al-Madinah.
v Ka`b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) returned from a journey, he would proceed straight to the mosque and perform two Rak`ah of (optional) prayer.[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
We have left our homes behind and NOT our Imaan. So be a Muslim at home, on journey or wherever you may be!…Be patient, and have a pleasant trip!....
