Islamic Rules for prayer /fasting when Travelling
Dua to recite when commencing the journey.
Dua` to be recited when mounting or boarding the means of transport
Dua` to be recited when dismounted or disembarking.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) in his journey use to praise Allah (s.w.t.) by saying SUBHAAN ALLAH when dismounting and ALLAHU AKBER when mounting.
And surely to our Lord we shall return. All praise is for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
`O` Allah! You are the Facilitator of the journey and the helper in the affair and you are the Companion in the journey, and the Successor (incharge of my) family, property and son. `O` Allah! You are my supporter and my Helper to Victory.
Dua` to be recited on a return journey
Dua` to be recited when travelling by ship
OTHER RECOMMENDED ACTS
Imam Ja`ffer as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said: Whoever recites sura Tawheed ten times when leaving his house, he will remain in the protection of the Al-Mighty Allah and His angles until he returns to his house. Ref: (Makarimul Akhlaaq)
Some scholars also emphasize the recitation of Tasbeeh of Sayyidah Fatima (a.s.) daughter of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). The Tasbeeh is recited in the following manner: 34 times Allahu Akber 33 times Alhumdu Lillah and 33 times Subhan Allah.
A Recitation For protection from any form of fear or problem during travel - Source Book khawasul Ayat by Author Aga taqi najafi isphahani
source
Draw a imaginary line around you
Then
Recite Ayatul Kursi and Surahs Ikhlass , Falaq and Naas
Then this Ayat 9 :51
Munajat no. 3 for travel from 10 Munajats of Imam Taqi(as)
ETIQUETTES OF TRAVEL From Baqitatus salehat
When you decide to go on a journey, you are advised to observe fasting on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and to begin your journey on Saturday, Tuesday, or Thursday. Avoid traveling on Mondays, Wednesdays, and before noon on Fridays.
Also, avoid traveling on the third, fifth, thirteenth, sixteenth,([1]) twenty-first, twenty-fourth, and twenty-fifth of each month. Avoid traveling when the moon wanes and when it is in Scorpion.
When one has to travel on such days and conditions, it is necessary to say the h prayers of travel and to give alms. It is narrated that one of the companions of Imam al-Baqir (a) visited him to bid him farewell, for he would go on a journey. Advising him, the Imam (a) said, When he would travel for settling his affairs, my father, `Ale ibn al-usayn (a), used to buy his safety from Almighty Allah with any possible amount of alms. He used to give alms when he put his leg on the stirrup of his riding animal. When he returned from a journey peacefully, he would praise and thank Almighty Allah by means of giving alms. Unfortunately, the man violated the advice of Imam al-Baqir (a); therefore, he died during the journey. When he was informed about this, Imam al-Baqir (a) said, Had he accepted the advice, he would have been saved.
Before beginning a journey, you are required to bathe yourself, gather your family members, offer a two unit prayer, pray Almighty Allah for your good, praise and thank Him, invoke His blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household, and say the following:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي اسْتَوْدِعُكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ نَفْسِي
allahumma inne astawdi`uka alyawma nafse
O Allah, I, on this day, beseech You to accept as trusts my self,
وَاهْلِي وَمَالِي وَوُلْدِي
wa ahle wa male wa wulde
my family members, my property, my sons,
وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنِّي بِسَبِيلٍ
wa man kana minne bisabelin
and every one who is under my custody
ٱلشَّاهِدَ مِنْهُمْ وَٱلْغَائِبَ
alshshahida minhum walgha'iba
the present and the absent.
اَللَّهُمَّ ٱحْفَظْنَا بِحِفْظِ ٱلإِيـمَانِ وَٱحْفَظْ عَلَيْنَا
allahumma ihfana bihifi al'emani wahfa `alayna
O Allah, (please do) protect us with the protection of faith and surround us with Your care.
اَللَّهُمَّ ٱجْعَلْنَا فِي رَحْمَتِكَ
allahumma ij`alna fe rahmatika
O Allah, (please do) include us with Your mercy
وَلاَ تَسْلُبْنَا فَضْلَكَ
wa la taslubna falaka
and do not divest us of Your favors,
إِنَّا إِلَيْكَ رَاغِبُونَ
inna ilayka raghibuna
for we do desire for You.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ ٱلسَّفَرِ
allahumma inna na`udhu bika min wa`tha'i alssafari
O Allah, we do seek Your safeguard against troubles of traveling,
وَكَآبَةِ ٱلْمُنْقَلَبِ
wa ka'abati almunqalabi
disappointing objectives,
وَسُوءِ ٱلْمَنْظَرِ فِي ٱلاهْلِ وَٱلْمَالِ وَٱلْوَلَدِ
wa su'i almanari fe al-ahli walmali walwaladi
and bad result in my family members, property, and sons
فِي ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلآخِرَةِ
fe alddunya wal-akhirati
in this world as well as the world to come.
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي اتَوَجَّهُ إِلَيْكَ هٰذَا ٱلتَّوَجُّهَ
allahumma inne atawajjahu ilayka hadha alttawajjuha
O Allah, I am turning my face towards You in this way
طَلَباً لِمَرْضَاتِكَ وَتَقَرُّباً إِلَيْكَ
alaban limaratika wa taqarruban ilayka
seeking Your pleasure and seeking nearness to You.
اَللَّهُمَّ فَبَلِّغْنِي مَا اؤَمِّلُهُ وَارْجُوهُ
allahumma faballighne ma u'ammiluhu wa arjuhu
O Allah, (please) help me achieve my aim and attain my hope
فِيكَ وَفِي اوْلِيَائِكَ
feka wa fe awliya'ika
in You and in Your Saints.
يَا ارْحَمَ ٱلرَّاحِمِينَ
ya arhama alrrahimena
O most Merciful of all those who show mercy!
You may then bid your family members farewell and stand up. At the door of your house, you may say the (famous) Tasbeh al-Zahra' tasbih and recite Surah al-Fatihah and yah al-Kurse in front of you, on your right side, and on your left side. You may then say this prayer:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي
allahumma ilayka wajjahtu wajhe
O Allah, to You am I turning my face
وَعَلَيْكَ خَلَّفْتُ اهْلِي وَمَالِي وَمَا خَوَّلْتَنِي
wa `alayka khallaftu ahle wa male wa ma khawwaltane
and with You do I keep my family members, my property, and everything with which You have allowed me to behave.
وَقَدْ وَثِقْتُ بِكَ فَلاَ تُخَيِّبْنِي
wa qad wathiqtu bika fala tukhayyibne
I have trusted in You; so, do not disappoint me.
يَا مَنْ لاََ يُخَيِّبُ مَنْ ارَادَهُ
ya man la yukhayyibu man aradahu
O He Who saves those who trust in Him from disappointment
وَلاَ يُضَيِّعُ مَنْ حَفِظَهُ
wa la yuayyi`u man hafiahu
and does not give up those whom He safeguards.
اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ
allahumma alli `ala muhammadin wa alihe
O Allah, (please do) send blessings upon Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad,
وَٱحْفَظْنِي فِيمَا غِبْتُ عَنْهُ
wahfane fema ghibtu `anhu
watch over all that from which I am absent,
وَلاَ تَكِلْنِي إِلَىٰ نَفْسِي
wa la takilne ila nafse
and do not refer my affairs to myself,
يَا ارْحَمَ ٱلرَّاحِمِينَ
ya arhama alrrahimena
O most Merciful of all those who show mercy.([2])
You may then recite Surah al-Tawhed eleven times, Surah al-Qadr, Ayah al-Kurse, Surah al-Falaq, and Surah al-Nas, and then pass your hand over your entire body, give alms as much as possible, and say the following:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ٱِشْتَرَيْتُ بِهٰذِهِ ٱلصَّدَقَةِ سَلاَمَتِي
allahumma inne ishtaraytu bihadhihe aladaqati salamate
O Allah, I am purchasing, with this alms, my safety
وَسَلاَمَةَ سَفَرِي وَمَا مَعِي
wa salamata safare wa ma ma`e
and the safety of my journey and my possessions.
اَللَّهُمَّ ٱحْفَظْنِي وَٱحْفَظْ مَا مَعِيَ
allahumma ihfane wahfa ma ma`iya
O Allah, (please do) safeguard me and whatever is with me,
وَسَلِّمْنِي وَسَلِّمْ مَا مَعِيَ
wa sallimne wa sallim ma ma`iya
save me and whatever is with me,
وَبَلِّغْني وَبَلِّغْ مَا مَعِيَ
wa ballighne wa balligh ma ma`iya
and observe me and whatever is with me
بِبَلاَغِكَ ٱلْحَسَنِ ٱلْجَميلِ
bibalaghika alhasani aljameli
with Your excellent, pleasant care.
You may also take with you an almond stick. The Holy Prophet () is reported to have said: Whoever goes on a journey, takes with him an almond stick, and recites the following verses, Almighty Allah will secure him from all beasts, all thieves, and all diseases until he returns home. He will be also accompanied by seventy-seven successive angels asking Almighty Allah to forgive him. These verses are as follows:
wa lamma tawajjaha tilqa'a madyana
And when he turned his face toward Midian,
qala `asa rabbe an yahdiyane sawa'a alssabeli
he said, Peradventure, my Lord will guide me in the right road.
wa lamma warada ma'a madyana
And when he came unto the water of Midian,
wajada `alayhi ummatan mina alnnasi yasquna
he found there a whole tribe of men, watering.
wa wajada min dunihim imra'atayni tadhudani
And he found apart from them two women keeping back their flocks.
qala ma khabukuma
He said, What ails you?
qalata la nasqe hatta yudira alrri`a'u
The two said, We cannot give our flocks to drink until the shepherds return from the water;
wa abuna shaykhun kaberun
and our father is a very old man.
fasaqa lahuma
So, he watered their flock for them.
thumma tawalla ila alilli
Then he turned aside into the shade,
faqala rabbi inne lima anzalta ilayya min khayrin faqerun
and said, My Lord! I am needy of whatever good You send for me.
faja'at-hu ihdahuma tamshe `ala istihya'in
Then, there came unto him one of the two women, walking shyly.
qalat inna abe yad`uka liyajziyaka ajra ma saqayta lana
She said, Lo! My father bids you that he may reward you with a payment for that you did water (the flock) for us.
falamma ja'ahu wa qaa `alayhi alqaaa qala la takhaf
Then, when he came unto him and told him the whole story, he said, Fear not!
najawta mina alqawmi alalimena
You have escaped from the wrongdoing folk.
qalat ihdahuma ya abati ista'jirhu
One of the two women said, O my father! Hire him!
inna khayra man ista'jarta alqawiyyu al'amenu
For the best man that you can hire is the strong, the trustworthy.
qala inne uredu an unkihaka ihda ibnatayya hatayni
He said, Lo! I fain would marry you to one of these two daughters of mine
`ala an ta'jurane thamaniya hijajin
on condition that you hire yourself to me for the term of eight years.
fa'in atmamta `ashran famin `indika
Then if you complete ten, it will be of your own accord,
wa ma uredu an ashuqqa `alayka
for I would not make it hard for you.
satajidune in sha'a allahu min alalihena
Allah willing, you will find me of the righteous.
qala dhalika bayne wa baynaka
He said, That is settled between you and me.
ayyama al'ajalayni qaaytu fala `udwana `alayya
Whichever of the two terms I fulfill, there will be no injustice to me,
wa allahu `ala ma naqulu wakelun
and Allah is Surety over what we say.
It is also recommended that you, at journeys, put a turban and roll it to the lower jaw so as to escape stealth, drowning, and burning. You may also take an amount of the soil of Imam al-Husayns tomb (turbat al-husayn) with you, saying:
اَللَّهُمَّ هٰذِهِ طِينَةُ قَبْرِ ٱلْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلاَمُ
allahumma hadhihe enatu qabri alhusayni `alayhi alssalamu
O Allah, this soil from the tomb of al-usayn, peace be upon him,
وَلِيِّكَ وَٱبْنِ وَلِيِّكَ
waliyyika wabni waliyyika
Your saint and the son of Your saint,
إِتَّخَذْتُهَا حِرْزاً لِمَا اخَافُ وَمَا لاََ اخَافُ
ittakhadhtuha hirzan lima akhafu wa ma la akhafu
I have taken with me as refuge against whatever I fear and whatever I do not fear.
Imam al-adiq (a) is reported as saying: If one recites yah al-Kurse every night during journey, he, as well as whatever is with him, will be in safety. One may add the following h prayer:
اَللَّهُمَّ ٱجْعَلْ مَسِيرِي عِبَراً
allahumma ij`al masere `ibaran
O Allah, (please do) make me learn lessons while I am walking (in this journey),
وَصَمْتِي تَفَكُّراً
wa amte tafakkuran
ponder (over the creation of things) while I am silent,
وَكَلاَمِي ذِكْراً
wa kalame dhikran
and mention You while I am talking.
Imam Zayn al-`Abiden (a) is reported to have said: When I say the following words, I do not care even if both men and jinn help each other against me:
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ وَبِٱللَّهِ
bismi allahi wa billahi
In the Name of Allah (I begin), in Allah (I trust),
وَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ وَإِلَىٰ ٱللَّهِ
wa min allahi wa ila allahi
from Allah (I derive power), to Allah (I refer all my affairs),
وَفي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ
wa fe sabeli allahi
and on the way of Allah (I proceed).
اَللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ اسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي
allahumma ilayka aslamtu nafse
O Allah, to You have I submitted myself,
وَإِلَيْكَ وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي
wa ilayka wajjahtu wajhe
towards You have I turned to face,
وَإِلَيْكَ فَوَّضْتُ امْرِي
wa ilayka fawwatu amre
and to You do I refer all my affairs;
فَٱحْفَظْنِي بِحِفْظِ ٱلإِيـمَانِ
fahfane bihifi al'emani
so, (please do) safeguard me with the guard of faith
مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَمِنْ خَلْفِي
min bayni yadayya wa min khalfe
from my front, from my back,
وَعَنْ يَمِينِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِي
wa `an yamene wa `an shimale
from my right side, from my left side,
وَمِنْ فَوْقِي وَمِنْ تَحْتِي
wa min fawqe wa min tahte
from above, and from beneath me;
وَٱدْفَعْ عَنِّي بِحَوْلِكَ وَقُوَّتِكَ
wadfa` `anne bihawlika wa quwwatika
and (please do) defend me with Your Might and Power,
فَإِنَّهُ لاََ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَلِيِّ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
fa'innahu la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi al`aliyyi al`aemi
for there is no might and no power save with Allah the All-high and All-great.
Eighteenth: One of the secret supplications of sacredness, Almighty Allah is reported to have said: Whoever intends to leave his family members for a certain mission or to go on a journey and he wants Me to make successful his journey and to grant him his request, should say these words while he leaves his house:
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ مَخْرَجِي
bismillahi makhraje
In the Name of Allah is my leaving
وَبِإِذْنِهِ خَرَجْتُ
wa bi'dhnihe kharajtu
and by His permission I have left.
وَقَدْ عَلِمَ قَبْلَ انْ اخْرُجَ خُرُوجِي
wa qad `alima qabla an akhruja khuruje
He has known about my leaving before I left
وَقَدْ احْصَىٰ عِلْمُهُ مَا فِي مَخْرَجِي وَمَرْجِعِي
wa qad aha `ilmuhu ma fe makhraje wa marji`e
and His knowledge has encompassed what I will face in my departure and my return.
تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَىٰ ٱلإِلٰهِ ٱلاكْبَرِ
tawakkaltu `ala al-ilahi al-akbari
I put my trust in the All-great God;
تَوَكُّلَ مُفَوِّضٍ إِلَيْهِ امْرَهُ
tawakkula mufawwiin ilayhi amrahu
a trust of one who delegates all of his affairs to Him,
وَمُسْتَعِينٍ بِهِ عَلَىٰ شُؤُونِهِ
wa musta`enin bihe `ala sh'unihe
who seeks His help in all of his affairs,
مُسْتَزِيدٍ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ
mustazedin min falihe
who prays for more favors of Him,
مُبْرِئٍ نَفْسَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ حَوْلٍ
mubri'in nafsahu min kulli hawlin
and who disavows that there may be any might
وَمِنْ كُلِّ قُوَّةٍ إِلاَّ بِهِ
wa min kulli quwwatin illa bihe
or any power except with Him.
خُرُوجَ ضَرِيرٍ
khuruja arerin
[I thus leave] the leaving of an injured one
خَرَجَ بِضُرِّهِ إِلىٰ مَنْ يَكْشِفُهُ
kharaja biurrihe ila man yakshifuhu
who has left, carrying his injury, towards the One Who can relieve it,
وَخُرُوجَ فَقِيرٍ
wa khuruja faqerin
the leaving of a poor one
خَرَجَ بِفَقْرِهِ إِلىٰ مَنْ يَسُدُّهُ
kharaja bifaqrihe ila man yasudduhu
who has left carrying his poverty to the One Who can fill it,
وَخُرُوجَ عَائِلٍ
wa khuruja `a'ilin
the leaving of a needy one
خَرَجَ بِعَيْلَتِهِ إِلىٰ مَنْ يُغْنِيهَا
kharaja bi`aylatihe ila man yughneha
who has left carrying his neediness to the One Who can meet it,
وَخُرُوجَ مَنْ رَبُّهُ اكْبَرُ ثِقَتِهِ
wa khuruja man rabbuhu akbaru thiqatihe
the leaving of one whose Lord is his grandest trustworthy,
وَاعْظَمُ رَجَائِهِ
wa a`amu raja'ihe
his greatest hoped,
وَافْضَلُ امْنِيَّتِهِ
wa afalu a'umniyyatihe
and his most favorable grantor of wishes.
اَللَّهُ ثِقَتِي فِي جَمِيعِ امُورِي كُلِّهَا
allahu thiqate fe jame`i umure kulliha
Allah is my trust in all of my affairs
بِهِ فِيهَا جَمِيعاً اسْتَعِينُ
bihe feha jame`an asta`enu
in all of which I seek His help.
وَلاَ شَيْءَ إِلاَّ مَا شَاءَ ٱللَّهُ فِي عِلْمِهِ
wa la shay'a illa ma sha'a allahu fe `ilmihe
Nothing can come to pass except what Allah has willed in His [eternal] knowledge.
اسْالُ ٱللَّهَ خَيْرَ ٱلْمَخْرَجِ وَٱلْمَدْخَلِ
as'alu allaha khayra almakhraji walmadkhali
I pray Allah for guiding to the best departure and the best return.
لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ إِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
la ilaha illa huwa ilayhi almaeru
There is no god save Him. To Him is the final return.
The completion of this prayer, as is quoted from Mustadrak al-Wasa'il by al-Merza al-Nure 8:131, is as follows:
اَللَّهُمَّ بَلِّغْنِي مَا تَوَجَّهْتُ لَهُ
allahumma ballighne ma tawajjahtu lahu
O Allah, (please) help me attain that for which I am directing,
وَسَبِّبْ لِيَ ٱلْمُرَادَ
wa sabbib liya almurada
prepare for me the causes of the achievement of my intention,
وَسَخِّرْ لِي عِبَادَكَ وَبِلاَدَكَ
wa sakhkhir le `ibadaka wa biladaka
make helpful for me Your servants and Your lands,
وَٱرْزُقْنِي زِيَارَةَ نَبِيِّكَ وَوَلِيِّكَ امِيرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
warzuqne ziyarata babiyyika wa waliyyika ameri almu'minena
facilitate for me visitations to Your Prophet, Your Saint the Commander of the Believers,
وَٱلا َئِمَّةِ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ
wal-a'immati min wuldihe
the Imams from his progeny,
وَجَمِيعِ اهْلِ بَيْتِهِ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلاَمُ
wa jame`i ahli baytihe `alayhi wa `layhim alssalamu
and all the members of his householdpeace be upon him and them.
وَمُدَّنِي بِٱلْمَعُونَةِ فِي جَمِيعِ احْوَالِي
wa muddane bilma`unati fe jame`i ahwale
(Please) supply me with aid under all conditions of mine,
وَلاَ تَكِلْنِي إِلَىٰ نَفْسِي وَلاَ إِلَىٰ غَيْرِي
wa la takilne ila nafse wa la ila ghayre
never leave me to myself or to anyone else;
فَاكِلُّ وَ اعْطَبُ
fa'akillu wa u`abu
lest, I will tire myself and I will suffer loss,
وَزَوِّدْنِي ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ
wa zawwidne alttaqwa
(please) provide me with piety,
وَٱغْفِرْ لِي فِي ٱلآخِرَةِ وَٱلأﹸولَىٰ
waghfir le fe al'akhirati wal'ula
and forgive me in the Next World and this world.
اَللَّهُمَّ ٱجْعَلْنِي اوْجَهَ مَنْ تَوَجَّهَ إِِلَيْكَ
allahumma ij`alne awjaha man tawajjaha ilayka
O Allah, make me the most acceptable of all those who turn their faces to You.
Also, avoid traveling on the third, fifth, thirteenth, sixteenth,([1]) twenty-first, twenty-fourth, and twenty-fifth of each month. Avoid traveling when the moon wanes and when it is in Scorpion.
When one has to travel on such days and conditions, it is necessary to say the h prayers of travel and to give alms. It is narrated that one of the companions of Imam al-Baqir (a) visited him to bid him farewell, for he would go on a journey. Advising him, the Imam (a) said, When he would travel for settling his affairs, my father, `Ale ibn al-usayn (a), used to buy his safety from Almighty Allah with any possible amount of alms. He used to give alms when he put his leg on the stirrup of his riding animal. When he returned from a journey peacefully, he would praise and thank Almighty Allah by means of giving alms. Unfortunately, the man violated the advice of Imam al-Baqir (a); therefore, he died during the journey. When he was informed about this, Imam al-Baqir (a) said, Had he accepted the advice, he would have been saved.
Before beginning a journey, you are required to bathe yourself, gather your family members, offer a two unit prayer, pray Almighty Allah for your good, praise and thank Him, invoke His blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household, and say the following:
You may then bid your family members farewell and stand up. At the door of your house, you may say the (famous) Tasbeh al-Zahra' tasbih and recite Surah al-Fatihah and yah al-Kurse in front of you, on your right side, and on your left side. You may then say this prayer:
You may then recite Surah al-Tawhed eleven times, Surah al-Qadr, Ayah al-Kurse, Surah al-Falaq, and Surah al-Nas, and then pass your hand over your entire body, give alms as much as possible, and say the following:
You may also take with you an almond stick. The Holy Prophet () is reported to have said: Whoever goes on a journey, takes with him an almond stick, and recites the following verses, Almighty Allah will secure him from all beasts, all thieves, and all diseases until he returns home. He will be also accompanied by seventy-seven successive angels asking Almighty Allah to forgive him. These verses are as follows:
It is also recommended that you, at journeys, put a turban and roll it to the lower jaw so as to escape stealth, drowning, and burning. You may also take an amount of the soil of Imam al-Husayns tomb (turbat al-husayn) with you, saying:
Imam al-adiq (a) is reported as saying: If one recites yah al-Kurse every night during journey, he, as well as whatever is with him, will be in safety. One may add the following h prayer:
Imam Zayn al-`Abiden (a) is reported to have said: When I say the following words, I do not care even if both men and jinn help each other against me:
Eighteenth: One of the secret supplications of sacredness, Almighty Allah is reported to have said: Whoever intends to leave his family members for a certain mission or to go on a journey and he wants Me to make successful his journey and to grant him his request, should say these words while he leaves his house:
The completion of this prayer, as is quoted from Mustadrak al-Wasa'il by al-Merza al-Nure 8:131, is as follows:
Ettiquettes of Ziarat Travel
OTHER ETIQUETTES
First: It is required not to forget mentioning Almighty Allahs Name (i.e. Basmalah; Bismil-lahir-rahmanir-rahem: In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful) at the moment of riding (or getting in transportation means).
Second: It is required to save ones money in a secured place. It is narrated that saving of ones money in a safe place indicates the travelers discernment.
Third: It is recommended for a traveler to help his companions and not to refrain from providing any assistance possible. By doing so, Almighty Allah will relieve him from seventy-three misfortunes, save him from grief and anguish in the worldly life, and relieve him from the supreme horror on the Resurrection Day.
In this respect, It is narrated that Imam Zayn al-`biden (`a) used to travel with people who had not met him before and thus they do not know him so that he could serve them. This is because if they knew him, they would not let him serve them.
It is also narrated that the Noble Prophet Muhammad () was with a group of his companions on a journey. As they decided to slaughter a sheep as their food, one of them offered to slaughter it, another one offered to skin it, and a third one offered to cook it. The Holy Prophet () offered to gather wood. We can do this; therefore, you do not have to do it, Allahs Messenger! they said. But the Holy Prophet () answered, I know that you can do it. But it is unpleasant for me that I be different from you! Verily, Almighty Allah does not like a servant of Him being different from the others.
Be it known to you that the most loathsome thing to do in journeys is to be lazy to do a job you are able to do; rather, you wait until the companions will do it on behalf of you.
Fourth: It is recommended to accompany a person of similar expenditure.
Fifth: When you want to drink water from a house you meet on your way, you must first mix it with an amount of water taken from the previous house by which you passed. It is also required that a traveler takes with him some of the soil of his hometown; and whenever he passes by a house, he should put an amount of that soil in the water served in this house and wait until the water becomes pure and then drink it.
Sixth: It is recommended to be polite and self-possessed during journeys.
However, this point will be further discussed in the coming chapter dealing with the etiquettes of pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Imam al-usayn (a).
Seventh: It is recommended to take along provisions, for it is honorable to take good provisions especially when one is on his way to Holy Makkah. However, it is not recommended to take such good provisions like grilled meat and sweets, when one is on his way to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-usayn (a).
Concerning this topic, Ibn al-A`sam, a poet, composed the following:
It is honorable for a man going on a journey To carry with him much and sweet food
One should behave morally during travel More than being at his home
When he prepares food He should invite his companions He should exchange jokes with his companions If he does not violate Allahs orders or injure others One who visits a town is the guest Of his brethren until he leaves He is treated generously for two nights And then he may eat from their food
Eighth: The most important thing in journeys is to keep up performing the obligatory devotional acts, especially the ritual prayers, and maintain their qualities and terms. Obligatory prayers must be performed in their determined times without any delay or any violation of their parts and manners. Unfortunately, some pilgrims violate these obligatory performances when they perform them in late times, while they are riding, with dry ablution (tayammum), or while they are not ceremonially clean. In fact, such acts arise from their underestimating these obligatory undertakings. Imam al-adiq (a) is reported to have said, To perform one obligatory prayer is more preferable than undertaking twenty times of ritual hajj pilgrimage; and to undertake one hajj is more preferable than giving as alms a room full of gold.
Finally, it is highly recommended not to neglect repeating the following doxology thirty times after each short-form (qasr) prayer: subhanallah
([1]) According to some narrations, it is favorable to begin a journey on the twenty-first day of a month (according to the Muslim calendar) and to avoid traveling on the eighth and the twenty-third. The author of this book cites two poetic verses, in Farsi, in which the days on which it is discommended to travel are mentioned. According to these verses, it is ill-omened to travel on the following seven days: the third, fifth, thirteenth, sixteenth, twenty-first, twenty-fourth, and twenty-fifth of a month.
([2]) The completion of this h prayer, as is quoted from Mustadrak al-Wasa'il by al-Merza al-Nure 8:131, is as follows:
OTHER ETIQUETTES
First: It is required not to forget mentioning Almighty Allahs Name (i.e. Basmalah; Bismil-lahir-rahmanir-rahem: In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful) at the moment of riding (or getting in transportation means).
Second: It is required to save ones money in a secured place. It is narrated that saving of ones money in a safe place indicates the travelers discernment.
Third: It is recommended for a traveler to help his companions and not to refrain from providing any assistance possible. By doing so, Almighty Allah will relieve him from seventy-three misfortunes, save him from grief and anguish in the worldly life, and relieve him from the supreme horror on the Resurrection Day.
In this respect, It is narrated that Imam Zayn al-`biden (`a) used to travel with people who had not met him before and thus they do not know him so that he could serve them. This is because if they knew him, they would not let him serve them.
It is also narrated that the Noble Prophet Muhammad () was with a group of his companions on a journey. As they decided to slaughter a sheep as their food, one of them offered to slaughter it, another one offered to skin it, and a third one offered to cook it. The Holy Prophet () offered to gather wood. We can do this; therefore, you do not have to do it, Allahs Messenger! they said. But the Holy Prophet () answered, I know that you can do it. But it is unpleasant for me that I be different from you! Verily, Almighty Allah does not like a servant of Him being different from the others.
Be it known to you that the most loathsome thing to do in journeys is to be lazy to do a job you are able to do; rather, you wait until the companions will do it on behalf of you.
Fourth: It is recommended to accompany a person of similar expenditure.
Fifth: When you want to drink water from a house you meet on your way, you must first mix it with an amount of water taken from the previous house by which you passed. It is also required that a traveler takes with him some of the soil of his hometown; and whenever he passes by a house, he should put an amount of that soil in the water served in this house and wait until the water becomes pure and then drink it.
Sixth: It is recommended to be polite and self-possessed during journeys.
However, this point will be further discussed in the coming chapter dealing with the etiquettes of pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Imam al-usayn (a).
Seventh: It is recommended to take along provisions, for it is honorable to take good provisions especially when one is on his way to Holy Makkah. However, it is not recommended to take such good provisions like grilled meat and sweets, when one is on his way to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-usayn (a).
Concerning this topic, Ibn al-A`sam, a poet, composed the following:
It is honorable for a man going on a journey To carry with him much and sweet food
One should behave morally during travel More than being at his home
When he prepares food He should invite his companions He should exchange jokes with his companions If he does not violate Allahs orders or injure others One who visits a town is the guest Of his brethren until he leaves He is treated generously for two nights And then he may eat from their food
Eighth: The most important thing in journeys is to keep up performing the obligatory devotional acts, especially the ritual prayers, and maintain their qualities and terms. Obligatory prayers must be performed in their determined times without any delay or any violation of their parts and manners. Unfortunately, some pilgrims violate these obligatory performances when they perform them in late times, while they are riding, with dry ablution (tayammum), or while they are not ceremonially clean. In fact, such acts arise from their underestimating these obligatory undertakings. Imam al-adiq (a) is reported to have said, To perform one obligatory prayer is more preferable than undertaking twenty times of ritual hajj pilgrimage; and to undertake one hajj is more preferable than giving as alms a room full of gold.
Finally, it is highly recommended not to neglect repeating the following doxology thirty times after each short-form (qasr) prayer: subhanallah
([1]) According to some narrations, it is favorable to begin a journey on the twenty-first day of a month (according to the Muslim calendar) and to avoid traveling on the eighth and the twenty-third. The author of this book cites two poetic verses, in Farsi, in which the days on which it is discommended to travel are mentioned. According to these verses, it is ill-omened to travel on the following seven days: the third, fifth, thirteenth, sixteenth, twenty-first, twenty-fourth, and twenty-fifth of a month.
([2]) The completion of this h prayer, as is quoted from Mustadrak al-Wasa'il by al-Merza al-Nure 8:131, is as follows:
TRAVEL Related Duas From '101 Duas book'
Dua No. 9 For avoiding bad omens for traveller
Dua No. 10: Before starting journey
Dua No. 11 For talisman to be keep by traveller
Dua No. 12 For a travellers family
Dua No. 13 When anyone loses way
Dua No. 14 At the time of visiting a dangerous place
Dua No. 15 At the time of arrival in new place
Dua No. 16 For safety from robbers
Dua No 17 Dua and prayer at the time of storm in the sea
Dua No. 18 For safety from drowning
Dua No. 13 When anyone loses way According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.) a person who loses one's way should give the following call:
يَا صَالِحُ اَغِثْنِيْ
Yaa saaleho aghisnee
O Saleh! Render help unto me!
for among the Momin jins there are those who are called Saleh who make the Almighty happy by living in the desert and on hearing anyone call of distress they will reply and show the way. Reliable tradition from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) state when one loses the way one should give the following call:
يَا صَالِحُ يَا اَبَا صَالِحٍ أَرْشِدُوْنَا إِلَى الطَّرِيْقِ رَحِمَكُمُ اللهُ
Yaa saaleho yaa abaa saalehin arshedoona elat tareeqe rahemakomul laaho.
O Saleh and Abaa Saleh may God show His mercy on you show us the right way.
Dua No. 14 At the time of visiting a dangerous place According to Imam Jaï'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.)
if a person had to visit a place where he is afraid of something then he should recite the following ayat (verse):
رَبِّ اَدْخِلْنِىْ مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَّ اَخْرِجْنِىْ مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَّ اجْعَلْ لِّىْ مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ سُلْطَانًا نَصِيْرًا.
Rabbe adkhilnee mudkhala sidqiwn wa akhrijnee mukhraja sidqiwn waj-aï'l lee mil ladunka sultaanan naseeraa.
ï'O My Lord! Cause me to enter a goodly entrance and cause me to go out (of) a goodly exit, and grant me from unto Thee an authority to assist (me)ï'
and when that thing or person comes in front of him, he should recite the Ayatul Kursi.
Dua No. 15 At the time of arrival in new place Another tradition states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) asked Hazrat Ali (a.s.) to recite the following Dua when alighting on a destination that he may avail of all the benefits of the place and remain safe from its mischief.
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْزِلْنِيْ مُنْزَلًا مُبَارَكًا وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْمُنْزِلِيْنَ.
Allaahumma anzilnee munzalan mobaarakan wa anta khayrul munzeleen.
O Allah make my arrival over here rewarding, for Thou art the best host and care-taker.
Dua No. 16 For safety from robbers According to Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) a person who afraid of robbers and wild animals in a journey should write the following Dua on the back of the horse and by the order of the Almighty God he will be safe from their mischief.
لَا تَخَافُ دَرَكاً وَ لَا تَخْشٰى
Laa takhaafo darakan wa laa takhshaa.
Not fearing to be overtaken, nor being afraid
The reporter of this tradition states that once he was going with a group to Haj. A last a band of wild Arab surrounded the group and attacked them fiercely but he had written this ayat on the back of his horse and taking an oath on Almighty God. Who had made Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) His prophet and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) His Imam he reiterated that the Almighty God had made the robbers blind to his presence and they did not incur him with any loss.
Dua No. 17 Dua and prayer at the time of storm in the sea The reporter of this tradition states that whenever there was a storm at sea he used to recite the following prayers shown by Imam Jaï'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.): it seemed that there was no storm at all, as the raging sea would suddenly and certainly go clamï'.
اَللهُ الَّذِىْ نَزَّلَ الْكِتَابَ، وَ هُوَ يَتَوَلَّى الصَّالِحِيْنَ.
Allaahul laze nazzalal ketaaba, wa howa yatawallas saaleheen.
He is Allah who sent down the book (Quran) and He guardeth the virtuous one.[2]
وَ مَا قَدَرُوْا اللهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهٖ، وَ الْاَرْضُ جَمِيْعًا قَبْضَتُهٗ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ السَّمٰوَاتُ مَطْوِيَّاتٌۢ بِيَمِيْنِهٖ، سُبْحَانَهٗ وَ تَعَالٰى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُوْنَ.
wa maa qadarul laaha haqqa qadrehi, wal-arzo jamee-aï'n qabzatohu yawmal qeyaamate was-samaawaato matwiyyaatum be-yameenehi, subhaanahu wa ta-aï'alaa aï'mmaa yushrekoon.
They have esteemed not Allah, as is His due: While the whole earth shall be in His grip on the day of Judgement and heavens rolled up (shall be) in the right hand: Hallowed is He and Exalted is He, high above what they associate (with Him).[3]
Dua No. 18 For safety from drowning Another tradition from Imam Jaï'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) asked one to recite the following prayer if one is afraid of drowning:
اِنَّ وَلِىِّىَ اللهُ الَّذِىْ نَزَّلَ الْكِتَابَ، وَ هُوَ يَتَوَلَّى الصَّالِحِيْنَ.
Inna waliyyeyal laahul lazee nazzalal ketaaba, wa howa yatawallas saaleheen.
Verily my protector is God who sent down the Book (Qurï'an) and He gradeth the virtuous once.[4]
وَ مَا قَدَرُوْا اللهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهٖ، وَ الْاَرْضُ جَمِيْعًا قَبْضَتُهٗ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ السَّمٰوَاتُ مَطْوِيَّاتٌۢ بِيَمِيْنِهٖ، سُبْحَانَهٗ وَ تَعَالٰى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُوْنَ.
wa maa qadarul laaha haqqa qadrehi, wal-arzo jamee-aï'n qabzatohu yawmal qeyaamate was-samaawaato matwiyyaatum be-yameenehi, subhaanahu wa ta-aï'alaa aï'mmaa yushrekoon.
They have esteemed not God, as is His due: while the whole earth shall Be in His grip on the Day of judgement and heavens rolled up (shall be) in His right hand, Hallowed is He, and Exalted is He, high above what they associate (with Him)[5]
RINGS
You may also take with you rings whose stones are made of agate and turquoise. It is more preferable to take with you a ring whose stone is made of yellow agate with the following inscription on one side:
مَا شَاءَ ٱللَّهُ
ma sha'a allahu
Only what Allah wills will come to pass!
لاَ قُوّةَ إِلاَّ بِٱللَّهِ
la quwwata illa billahi
There is no strength save in Allah!
اسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّهَ
astaghfiru allaha
I implore Allah forgiveness.
And on the other side, the following is inscribed:
مُحَمَّدٌ وَعَلِيٌّ
muhammadun wa `aliyyun
Muhammad and `Ale
In his book entitled Aman al-Akhar, Sayyid Ibn awus mentions that Abu-Muhammad Qasim ibn `Ala' has reported al-afe, Imam `Ale al-Hade servant, as having told the following:
When I asked him to permit me to go on a journey to us (currently Mashhad), Imam al-Hade (a) advised me, saying, You may take with you a ring whose stone is made of yellow agate with the following inscription on one side, �ma sha�allahu la quwwata illa billahï and on the other side, the following is inscribed, ïmuhamadun wa ïaliy.ï This (ring) secures from robbery, procures safety, and safeguards oneïs religion.ï When I left the Imam (ïa), I made a ring with the very specifications advised by the Imam (ïa) and carried it with me. I then returned to him, bid him farewell, and left. A few steps forward, the Imam (ïa) ordered me to return to him. When I did, he said to me, ïïafe, you may take with you another ring whose stone is made of turquoise. On your way, and specifically between Nayshabur and ïus, a lion will prevent your caravan from proceeding. You may then face the lion, show it the ring, and say, ïMy master orders you to step aside.ïï The Imam (ïa) then added, ïThe turquoise ring must carry the following inscription on one side,
اَللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ
allahu almaliku
Allah is the King.
And on the other side of the ring, the following should be inscribed:
اَلْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَاحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ
almulku lillahi alwahidi alqahhari
Kingdom is Allahïs; the One and All-omnipotent.
These are the specifications of the ring that Imam `Ale (ïa) used to put. Before caliphate, Imam `Ale (ïa) inscribed the following on his ring, ïalmulku-lillahï, and when he became the caliph, he inscribed the following on it, ïalmulku lillahil-wahidil-qahharï. This ring secures against beasts and achieves victory in wars.ï
Al-ïafe reported: I swear by Allah, I met the same thing that the Imam (ïa) had told me. I thus did the very thing that he had advised me to do. When I returned home, I told the Imam (ïa) about what had happened during my journey. ïThere is only one thing that you have not told me about it,ï said the Imam (ïa), ïIf you wish, I can tell you about it.ï I answered, ïYes, my master! Please, tell me about it perchance I had forgotten it.ï
The Imam (ïa) said, One night, while you were sleeping in ïus, a group of jinn attended there for visiting the tomb of Imam al-Ridha (ïa). When they saw the stone of your ring in your hand, they pulled it out of your hand, took it to one of them who was ailing, washed the ring with water, and gave that water to the ailing jinni so as to drink from it. He therefore was healed. They then returned the ring to your hand, but instead of putting it in your right hand, they put it in your left. When you woke up, you were astonished because you could not find a reason. Further, you found near the place of your head a piece of corundum and you carried it with you. It is now with you, is it not? You may take it to the market because you will sell it with eighty denars. It is a present from those jinn to youï I, al-ïafe, took that piece of corundum to the market and sold it with eighty denars, exactly as my master had predicted.
Dua No. 10: Before starting journey
Dua No. 11 For talisman to be keep by traveller
Dua No. 12 For a travellers family
Dua No. 13 When anyone loses way
Dua No. 14 At the time of visiting a dangerous place
Dua No. 15 At the time of arrival in new place
Dua No. 16 For safety from robbers
Dua No 17 Dua and prayer at the time of storm in the sea
Dua No. 18 For safety from drowning
Dua No. 13 When anyone loses way According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.) a person who loses one's way should give the following call:
for among the Momin jins there are those who are called Saleh who make the Almighty happy by living in the desert and on hearing anyone call of distress they will reply and show the way. Reliable tradition from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) state when one loses the way one should give the following call:
Dua No. 14 At the time of visiting a dangerous place According to Imam Jaï'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.)
if a person had to visit a place where he is afraid of something then he should recite the following ayat (verse):
and when that thing or person comes in front of him, he should recite the Ayatul Kursi.
Dua No. 15 At the time of arrival in new place Another tradition states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) asked Hazrat Ali (a.s.) to recite the following Dua when alighting on a destination that he may avail of all the benefits of the place and remain safe from its mischief.
Dua No. 16 For safety from robbers According to Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) a person who afraid of robbers and wild animals in a journey should write the following Dua on the back of the horse and by the order of the Almighty God he will be safe from their mischief.
The reporter of this tradition states that once he was going with a group to Haj. A last a band of wild Arab surrounded the group and attacked them fiercely but he had written this ayat on the back of his horse and taking an oath on Almighty God. Who had made Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) His prophet and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) His Imam he reiterated that the Almighty God had made the robbers blind to his presence and they did not incur him with any loss.
Dua No. 17 Dua and prayer at the time of storm in the sea The reporter of this tradition states that whenever there was a storm at sea he used to recite the following prayers shown by Imam Jaï'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.): it seemed that there was no storm at all, as the raging sea would suddenly and certainly go clamï'.
Dua No. 18 For safety from drowning Another tradition from Imam Jaï'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) asked one to recite the following prayer if one is afraid of drowning:
RINGS
You may also take with you rings whose stones are made of agate and turquoise. It is more preferable to take with you a ring whose stone is made of yellow agate with the following inscription on one side:
And on the other side, the following is inscribed:
In his book entitled Aman al-Akhar, Sayyid Ibn awus mentions that Abu-Muhammad Qasim ibn `Ala' has reported al-afe, Imam `Ale al-Hade servant, as having told the following:
When I asked him to permit me to go on a journey to us (currently Mashhad), Imam al-Hade (a) advised me, saying, You may take with you a ring whose stone is made of yellow agate with the following inscription on one side, �ma sha�allahu la quwwata illa billahï and on the other side, the following is inscribed, ïmuhamadun wa ïaliy.ï This (ring) secures from robbery, procures safety, and safeguards oneïs religion.ï When I left the Imam (ïa), I made a ring with the very specifications advised by the Imam (ïa) and carried it with me. I then returned to him, bid him farewell, and left. A few steps forward, the Imam (ïa) ordered me to return to him. When I did, he said to me, ïïafe, you may take with you another ring whose stone is made of turquoise. On your way, and specifically between Nayshabur and ïus, a lion will prevent your caravan from proceeding. You may then face the lion, show it the ring, and say, ïMy master orders you to step aside.ïï The Imam (ïa) then added, ïThe turquoise ring must carry the following inscription on one side,
And on the other side of the ring, the following should be inscribed:
These are the specifications of the ring that Imam `Ale (ïa) used to put. Before caliphate, Imam `Ale (ïa) inscribed the following on his ring, ïalmulku-lillahï, and when he became the caliph, he inscribed the following on it, ïalmulku lillahil-wahidil-qahharï. This ring secures against beasts and achieves victory in wars.ï
Al-ïafe reported: I swear by Allah, I met the same thing that the Imam (ïa) had told me. I thus did the very thing that he had advised me to do. When I returned home, I told the Imam (ïa) about what had happened during my journey. ïThere is only one thing that you have not told me about it,ï said the Imam (ïa), ïIf you wish, I can tell you about it.ï I answered, ïYes, my master! Please, tell me about it perchance I had forgotten it.ï
The Imam (ïa) said, One night, while you were sleeping in ïus, a group of jinn attended there for visiting the tomb of Imam al-Ridha (ïa). When they saw the stone of your ring in your hand, they pulled it out of your hand, took it to one of them who was ailing, washed the ring with water, and gave that water to the ailing jinni so as to drink from it. He therefore was healed. They then returned the ring to your hand, but instead of putting it in your right hand, they put it in your left. When you woke up, you were astonished because you could not find a reason. Further, you found near the place of your head a piece of corundum and you carried it with you. It is now with you, is it not? You may take it to the market because you will sell it with eighty denars. It is a present from those jinn to youï I, al-ïafe, took that piece of corundum to the market and sold it with eighty denars, exactly as my master had predicted.