Imaam Jaa’far Saadiq (A.S.) said that there should be only three purposes for making a journey, they are: (a) for gaining Sawaab in Aakherat, (b) for prosperity in this life, & (c) merely to have relaxation, sight-seeing, or lawful pleasure in traveling. Go on travel so that you gain good health; do Jihaad so that you get blessings in both worlds; and go for Hajj so as to become rich and self-dependant. Traveling is a sort of trouble so as soon as your job is accomplished return soon to your home. Travel on Tuesdays to accomplish your hard tasks, because it is a day when Allaah (S.W.T.) softened the iron for Nabii Daawood (A.S.) The one who travels on Saturday shall return to his home because even if a stone moves away from its place in a mountain it will return again to it. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) preferred to travel on Thursday because he said it was the day liked by Allaah, The Prophet, and Angels.
Our 5th and 6th Imaam (A.S.) said that it is Makrooh (abominable, detestable) to travel by sea going for trading purpose. Imaam Ali (A.S.) said that the one who travels by sea on business trip has not tried to generate his earnings by more superior ways.
It is not good to travel on Nahas Days but if need arises one can travel on those days after giving Sadaqa and praying to Allaah for safety.
It is disliked to travel on 3rd, 4th, 21st, and 25th of lunar months, so if possible try to avoid traveling on these days.
Even though it is allowed to travel on any day of the week but Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are considered good for travelling.
If travelling is for the purpose of lawful business transactions then Tuesday is the best day to undertake the journey.
If you are all alone on safari recite this Duaa: Maashaa-Allaah Laa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaah, Allaahummaa Aanis Wahshatee, Wa Ainnee Alaa Wahdatee Wa Addee Ghaybatee.
At the commencement of journey and all along the safari this Duaa should be recited every now and then: Bismillaahi Aamantu Billaahi, Watawaqqaltu Alallaahi, Maashaa-Allaah Laa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaah.
While boarding the vehicle of travel recite: Bismillaahi Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaahi Al-Hamdulillaahil-Ladhee Sakh-Khara lanaa Haadhaa Wamaa Kunnaa Lahoo Mukrineen, Wa Innaa Ilaa Rabbina La-mun-qaliboon.
When entering a town or a city to which you are not familiar to, recite: Allaahumma Innee As’aluka Khyrahaa, Wa A’oodhoo Bika Min Sharrihaa, Allaahumma Habbib Lanaa Ahlihaa Wa Habbib Swaalihi Ahlihaa Ilayna.
While embarking from the vehicle of travel recite: Rabbi Anzilnee Manzilan Mubaarakan Wa Anta Khayrul Munzileen.
While you are on journey away from home recite this Duaa every night before going to sleep: Recite Aayatul Qursee, then recite-Allaahummaj’al Masweeree Ibaran Wa Sumtee Tafakkuran Wa Kalaamee Dhikraa.
While starting the journey recite 11 times Surah-e-Ikhlaas, Tasbeeh of Bibi Faatima (S.A.) and Al-Waheedu as many times as possible.
Before starting traveling, first pray 2 rak’at Namaaz and recite this Duaa: Allaahumma Astawdi’uka Nafsee Wa Ahlee Wa Maalee Wa Deenee Wa Dunyaayi Wa Aakhiratee Wa Khawaateema Amalee.
Reciting Surah An-Nabaa in the journey brings safety and success.
One who is going on safari and wishes to return safely to his family should recite the following Duaa when he is to come out of his house for the journey: Bismillaahi Makhrajee Wa Bi Idh-nihi Kharajtu Wa Qad Alima An Akhruja Khurooji Wa Qad Ahswaa Ilmuhu Maa Fi Makhraji Wa Marji’ee Tawaqqaltu Alal Ilaahill Akbari, Tawaqqula Mufawwidhwan Alayhi Amruhu Wa Musta’eenin Bihi Alaa Shu’oonihi Mustazeedin Min Fadhlihi Mubri’in Nafsahu Min Kulli Hawlin Wa Min Kulli Quwwatin Bihi Khurooja Dhwareerin Kharaja Bi Dhurrihi Alaa Man Yakshifuhu, Wa Khurooja Faqeerin Kharaja Bi Faqrihi, Ilaa Man Yasudduhu, Wa Khurooja Aailin Kharaja Bi Eelatihi, Ilaa Man Yughneeha, Wa Khurooja Man Rabbuhu Akbaru Thikatihi, Wa A’adhwamu Rajaaihi Wa Afdhalu Umniyyatihi, Allaahu Thiqatee Fi Jamee’i Umooree Kulliha Bihee Feehaa Jamee’an Asta’eenu Walaa Shay Illaa MaashaaAllaahu Fi Ilmihi As’alullaaha Khayral Makhraji Wal Madkhali, Laa Ilaaha Illaa Huwa Ilayhil Masweeru.
It is recommended that when one returns from a journey he should bring some gifts for his family members, and arrange for a feast/ banquet / ceremonial dinner for his brothers-in-faith.
It is reported from Rasoolullaah (S.A.W.W.) that when a person sits on his means of riding and says ‘Bismillaah’ then an Angel also accompanies him and protects him, but if he does not say so a Shaytaan accompanies him and makes him go astray.
While riding recite this Duaa for protection: Bismillaahi Laa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaahil-Ladhee Hadaana Lihaadha Wamaa Kinnaa Li Nahtadiya Lawlaa An Hadaanallaahu, Sub’haanal-Ladhee Sakh-khara Lanaa Haadhaa Wamaa Kunnaa Lahoo Mukrimeen.
Another Duaa (for forgiveness) while riding ; Recite Aayatul Kursee, then: Astaghfirullaahal-Ladhee Laa Ilaaha Illaa Huwal Hayyul Qayyoom Wa Atoobu Ilayhi, Allaahummagh-Firlee Dhunoobee Fa Innahoo Laa Yaghfirudh-Dhunooba Illaa Anta.
When the riding vehicle stumbles or goes wrong recite: Allaahumma Innee Aoodhu Bika Min Zawaali Ni’amatika Wa Min Tahweeli Aafiyatik, Wa Min Fujaati Ni’amatika.
When the riding vehicle abruptly stops going forth recite: Awalam Yaraw Annaa Khalaqnaa Lahum Mimmaa Amilat Aydeena In’aaman Fahum Lahaa Maalikoon, Wa Dhallalnaahaa Lahum Faminha Rakoobuhum Waminha Ya’akuloon.
