A Muslim views travelling as a necessary part of his life that he cannot do without. The Hajj, Umrah, Jihad, seeking knowledge, trade, visiting his brothers are either mandatory or obligatory parts of his life. Therefore, he is bound to travel. For this reason, the Shari’ah has covered the aspects of travelling and its etiquette. Such concern cannot be denied. A pious Muslim must learn these etiquette and apply them in his life.

Rulings for travelling:

 

1. The prayers that consist of four raka’ahs become two rakaa’hs only, while the maghrib prayer remains at three raka’ahs. This begins as soon as one leaves the land in which he lives until he returns to it. Unless he intends to stay in the place he is travelling to for four or more days. In that case, he performs the prayer in the regular fashion while he is staying at that locale. Then when he travels back to his home, during the time of actual travelling, he shortens his prayers until he reaches his home. This is based on Allah’s statement:” And when you travel in the land, there is no sin for you if you shorten your prayer. (An-Nisa’: 101). Anas said:” We went with the Messenger of Allah (saw) from Al-Madinah to Makkah and he prayed the four raka’ah prayers in just two raka’ahs until we return to Al-Madinah.” (An-Nasa’i)

 

2. It is allowed to wipe over the leather socks fro three days and nights while travelling. Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said:” The Prophet (saw) established for us the limits of three days and nights for a traveller and one day and night for a resident, that is, with respect to wiping over the footwear.” (Muslim)

 

3. It is permissible to make tayammum (dry ablution) if water is not available or if it is difficult to get or if it is too expensive. Allah the Almighty has said:"If you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes after answering the call of nature or you have been in sexual contact with women and you find no water, then take for yourselves clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands.” (An-Nisa’: 43) 

 

4. While travelling, a fasting person is allowed to break his fast. Allah the Almighty said: “If any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days in which one has broken the fast should be made up) from other days.” (Al-Baqarah: 184)

 

5. While travelling, it is allowed to pray voluntary prayers while riding on the back of an animal, regardless of the direction one faces. Ibn Umar stated that Allah’s Messenger (saw) would pray voluntary prayers in whatever direction his camel was facing.” (bukhari and Muslim)