Fasting whilst traveling (54)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Fasting whilst on journey

54.)  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) fasted as well as abstained from fasting whilst traveling. Hence whoever wishes to fast while traveling may do so, and whosever wishes not to, may do that as well. (In both cases, he will be adhering to the Sunnah).

 [Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that Sahih Bukhari]

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Nafl (Optional) Salaah when traveling (52 / 53)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Special method of performing Nafl Salaah when traveling

  

52.) Sayyidina Aamir Ibn Rabi`ah (RA) narrates from his father : ‘I saw Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) performing Tahajjud upon his conveyance, facing the direction being traveled by the animal.’

[Sahih Bukhari]

53.) Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) would perform the night Salaah on his conveyance, whichever direction it was heading. He would perform it by indicating to the various postures. These were non-fardh prayers.

 

[Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA)  - Sahih Bukhari]

-  Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) also used to do the same.

- Note : Whilst traveling, a person may perform Nafl Salaah in or on his conveyance or other mode of transport. Indications of the head suffice for the postures of ruku and sajdah. The Salaah can be performed in the direction being traveled instead of facing the Qiblah. This exception is only applicable to optional Salaah.

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Qira`at when traveling (51)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Shortening the Qira`at when traveling

51.)  Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) recited Surah Kaafiroon and Surah Ikhlaas in the two rakaats of Fajr Salaah, whilst they were traveling.

Hazrat Utbah Ibn Aamir (RA) also narrates that Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) performed the Fajr Salaah once on journey, and recited Surah Falaq and An-Naas therein. Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) thereafter advised him to recite these two Surahs often, at different times of the day and night.

-      The above bears testimony to the fact that it is Sunnah to shorten the Qira`ah when traveling.

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Sunnah of Fajr (50)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Which Sunnah salaah should never be omitted even when traveling

50.)  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) never omitted the two Sunnah before Fajr Salaah, whether he was at home or abroad, in good health or experiencing ill health.

[Hazrat Ayesha (RA)]

Hazrat Abu Ja`far (RA) narrates that Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) never omitted the two Sunnah after Maghrib and the two before Fajr.

         

-      The two Sunnah before Fajr are the most important of all the Sunnah Salaah. Certain Ahaadeeth mention Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) as saying : ‘Do not omit them even if you are being trampled by horses.’

[Sunan Abu Dawud]

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Sunnah and Nafl salaah while traveling (48 / 49)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Sunnah and Nafl salaah while traveling

48.)  Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that he performed two rakaats of Zuhr Salaah whilst traveling with Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam). He narrates that he performed another two rakaats thereafter.

[Mishkaat]

-     Note : Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) performed the two rakaats of Sunnah after the Zuhr Salaah.

-        It is narrated that Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) and  Sayyidina  Qatadah (RA) used to perform the Sunnah Salaah before and after each Salaah, when traveling.

-        It is encouraged to read the Sunnah and Nafl Salaah when traveling, if time and conditions permit. By omitting them without reason, the habit wanes and it becomes difficult for a person to form the habit again.

Permission to omit the Sunnah salaah whilst traveling

49.)  Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) narrates : ‘I accompanied Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) on a journey, but did not see him performing the Sunnah and Nafl Salaah whilst traveling.”

 [Bukhari Shareef]

-      Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) used to omit the Sunnah Salaats that are performed before and after the Fardh Salaah.

-    Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) adopted the above method as well. The Ulama explain that it depends on circumstances. If a person is in a hurry, he could omit the Sunnah Salaah, and if not, he should read it.

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Azaan and Iqaamah (47)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Azaan and Iqaamah whilst on a journey

47.)  Maalik Ibn Huwayrith (RA) narrates that he and his cousin came to Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam). Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) told them the following (upon their departure): “When you travel, call out the azaan and Iqaamah, and let the elder among you lead the Salaah.” 

[Tirmizi Shareef]

-      When people perform their Salaah with Jamaat on journey, they are not particular about calling out the azaan. This is an omission of the Sunnah and it is detrimental. Imam Bukhari (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) has also stressed the importance of this.

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Salaah when traveling (46)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Salaah when traveling

      46.) Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that Allah Ta’ala has, through His Messenger (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam), ordained that Salaah be four rakaats when at home, and two when on journey.

 [Mishkaat / Sahih Muslim]

   - Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA), narrates that Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) determined that Salaah whilst (on a journey) would be two rakaats, and the reward for these two rakaats would be equivalent to the reward of the complete Salaah.

 [Mishkaat / Sunan Ibn Majah]

      -      Sayyidina Umar (RA) is reported to have said : “Qasr Salaah is a gift from Allah to you, so accept the gift.”

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Traveling clothes (45)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Traveling clothes

45.)  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) used to wear a narrow sleeved jubbah whilst on a journey.

      Nabi’s (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) Qamis [kurtah] was knee length whilst on a journey. 

-     Wearing broad and baggy clothing whilst traveling is cumbersome and inconvenient. Therefore Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) wore garments that had narrower sleeves and a Qamis of shorter length.

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]