Part 5

Question 51: Concerning making salatal-istikharah (salah of Decision making) before traveling, should it always be done before making ones mind up whether to travel or not ; even if he wants to travel to make Hajj, Umrah or some act of worship?

Answer 51: Yes it is always best to perform salatal-istikharah before traveling because no one knows what might occur doing his journey even if it is for Hajj, Umrah etc. The one

22 does not know if the trip will be successful or unsuccessful.

Question 52: What is the ruling concerning men who travel and are away from their wives as long as two or three years?

Answer 52: It is not permissible for a man to be away from his wife for more than six months. However if his absence is for some benefit such as seeking Islamic knowledge or seeking halal income and his wife consents to this, then it is permissible for as long as his circumstances require.

If his absence extends to two to three years, then whenever she requests his return, he must return if he capable.

Question 53: Some people of knowledge have mentioned that it is not recommended for the traveler to return to his home and family at night. They support this opinion with the hadith in which the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) prohibited men from returning from a journey and entering upon their families at night [found in Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Sometimes we reach our homes at night and enter our houses. Have we done anything wrong?

Answer 53: This was in the past when the family of the traveler would not know when he is returning and the traveler would not be able to inform them of the exact date of arrival from the trip. They would not know if he would be gone one month or two months or even longer.

They used to be gone for an extensive period of time, and if one was to reach home at night he may find his wife disorderly and untidy and this might cause him to dislike her. This is the reason that, more often than not, if a woman's husband is gone she will not concern herself with her appearance like when he is present. That is why in some hadiths the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) made a clause "do not enter upon your families at night if you are returning from a journey until she (wife) has groomed her un-kept hair and has shaven her pubic hair. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] If they reach their city (at night) they would spent the night on the road until daylight then come to their families.

As for our time, usually the traveler knows the exact day and time of his return and the family will prepare for receiving him and the wife would beautify hersef.

On top of this, his journey is generally not for an extensive period, not to mention that he communicates with his wife over the phone during his entire journey. So in our time if a

Question 54: Some people of knowledge say that it is encouraged for the traveler to bring a gift or souvenir back with him for his family. Is there any proof for this statement?

Answer 54: Customarily, people present gifts and souvenirs for their families after they have arrived from a lengthy trip in order to bring joy to his family. The family of the man who has returned from travel shows hospitality and generosity by preparing food and other things. So in turn it is befitting if he is generous by presenting them gifts.

Question 55: Is it from the Sunnah to appoint an Amir (Leader) every time we travel?

Answer 55: Yes, some people of knowledge stated that it is indeed from the Sunnah to appoint an Amir for each journey according the hadith (If three people set out on a journey then let them appoint one as the leader) {Abu Dawood and sahih Al-Jami}

The wisdom seems to be that the leader is to be consulted when there are differences although this leader can not necessarily compel them to confirm to his opinion, rather he too should consult with all those traveling along with him.

In addition it has been said that appointing a leader is intended for long journeys, as for short journeys in which there is normally no differences due to shortness and simplicity of the travel, it is not necessary for them to select a leader. However, if they do this, then it is fine.

Question 56: Do you call the athaan for each prayer when combining prayers while traveling?

Answer 56: When you combine prayers you call only one athaan and you make an iqaamah for each prayer. So there will be one athaan and two iqaamahs.

24 All praises and thanks are due to Allah for the completion of this work. We thank him for aiding us and giving us the ability to complete this work. Remember this is an abridged translation of the book "Useful Rulings Concerning the Traveler". Those who would like to expand their knowledge on the topics and have an understanding of Arabic may refer back the unabridged work.

We ask Allah to make this work be a benefit to the readers.