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| Surah Al-Mulk : 15 |
It is human nature that we are curious on things we haven't experienced or learned, hence, mankind has constantly on the move all over the earth in search of knowledge, place to settle, sustenance, pilgrimage, etc.
In Islam, traveling is not forbidden, and it is even encouraged. Even since the times of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) that travel is a norm for muslims. Prophet Muhammad was given the order by Allah (s.w.t) to travel from Makkah to Madinah (hijrah) to spread Islam. Imam Bukhari made a series of travels from Bukhara (modern-day Uzbekistan) in Central Asia to learn authentic Prophet Muhammad's hadiths and compiled into what we know today as Sahih Al-Bukhari. Ibn Battuta traveled from the very western point of Africa (Morocco) to the eastern point of Asia (China) in pursuit of knowledge.
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| Surah Al-Ankabut : 20 |
Every places in this world has it's own unique things to see and to learn, to experience. Be it a trip to the lost Islamic civilization of Andalusian Spain, oozing through charming Venice's alleys, setting foot at Catholic's holy place of Vatican City, reminiscing the war-torned city of Sarajevo, tasting the kebabs in Beirut, be inside the Uthamaniyyah caliphs' palace in Istanbul, hiking the Mount Everest in Himalayas, seeking knowledge in University of Oxford in England or Al-Azhar University in Cairo, on a business trip to New York, relaxing under the sun at Maldive's beaches, going for a pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah... As long as we have good intentions and avoid things we are forbidden to do (drinking alcohol, clubbing, gambling, eating non-Halal meat), insya Allah, our travel will be beneficial for us in this world and in the Hereafter. It's what happens during the journey itself is what that might cause a specific trip to be unacceptable.
Below is a guideline taken from a book written by Dr. Abdul Hakim Abdul Latif Al-Saeedy, Journey in Islam.
Leave your country in search of dignity,
And travel! For in travel there are five benefits,
Relief of difficulties and earning of livelihood,
And knowledge and etiquettes and noble companionship.
- Imam Ash-Shafi'i
Below is a guideline taken from a book written by Dr. Abdul Hakim Abdul Latif Al-Saeedy, Journey in Islam.
General Guidelines.
- Seeking the Pleasure of Allah: When travelling one has to have the proper intention; and nothing is better than seeking the pleasure of your creator by turning the act of sightseeing into an act of worship.
- Sincerity: An integral part of seeking the pleasure of Allah is being sincere in your intention and your action. It is also required in all manners of interaction with people all over the world.
- Deriving Support from Allah: Nations and people all over the world have their traditions, rituals and prayers to help them in their daily lives, just as ancient mariners prayed for their deities or saints for help and good luck while sailing the seas, modern mariners smash a champagne bottle on the hull of a new ship for prosperity. Muslims are no different, only they ask for Allah’s assistance in their travels, they ask for spiritual support and for success in the trip, whether it was for business or pleasure. They also ask for good company while on their journey.
- Last Will and Testament: Sounds very ominous, however, this is exactly what a lot of insurance companies offer now, travel insurance in the case of death or injury. Muslims, on the other hand are encouraged to have their will written before the travel, stating their financials in it and whether or not they owe or somebody else owes them money. This way these rights and obligations don’t get forgotten in case of death or injury.
- Appointing a Guardian: When travelling for business, particularly when travelling for long periods of time, it becomes a good idea to appoint a trustworthy guardian to care for your interests and your family while you are away.
- Hiring a Guide: One of the best things anyone can do while travelling is hire a good local guide; especially if it is their first ever visit to a place. They know the ropes of their city, and they can definitely make a trip less stressful.
- Looking at things with Calm and Prudence: A traveller has to be balanced in their travels, in his sightseeing, and his actions. They can’t – and shouldn’t – imitate everything they see, and they can’t – and shouldn’t – be fascinated by all the thoughts and beliefs without proper contemplation.
- Show Good Morals: Muslims carry Islam with them wherever they go; it is not just in their acts of worship, but also in the way they carry themselves and most importantly, in their morals. They should act accordingly, be humble and moderate in their walk and talk as well as lower their gaze and voice.
- Tourism and Disobedience do not need to Mix: Disobedience is not to be confused with mistakes, everyone makes mistakes, disobedience, however, is intentional. Once it comes into the mix all benefits go out the window.
- Do Good for those who need it: Chivalry and helping those in need is an integral part of the Muslim character, it is embedded in the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, and helping people in need, wherever we are in the world, regardless of their colour, creed, or gender comes with the territory.
Fail to Plan. Plan to Fail.
Planning and preparing for a trip is essential – regardless of your religion or gender – it can be the difference between having a great experience or a miserable one. Sometimes failure to plan can even lead to death.
- How much will it cost and what will I need: Each trip is different from the next, and each country is different from the next, having enough money for a trip depends on your knowledge of the region you are visiting. The amount of money needed to visit the UK, for example, is not the same as the amount needed to visit Egypt. Same goes for attire, warm clothing or light clothing, tickets, whether you will need a visa or not. All of the above is necessary when planning a trip; otherwise, chances are things will always go wrong.
- How about their Culture: A simple hand gesture in Egypt can be an insult in Italy. Table manners, what to do when you enter someone’s home, learning about the traditions and customs of a country is very important, not only will it make for a smooth visit, but it is guaranteed to enrich your overall travel experience. Even learning how to say ‘thank you’ in the native tongue can go a long way in leaving a good impression.
- Health issues: This is perhaps the most important part of preparing for a trip. Learning about health issues that might arise during the journey, will they need special travel vaccination, will the trip have several different modes of transportation that might cause motion sickness, any special medication that must be readily available.
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