English Translation of Al-Quran
[40].Surah Al Mumin (The Believer) also known as Surah Ghafir [The Forgiver]
Ayat 79. Allah, it is He Who has made cattle for you, that you may ride on some of them and of some you eat.
Ayat 80. And you have (many other) benefits from them, and that you may reach by their means a desire that is in your breasts (i.e. carry your goods, loads, etc.), and on them and on ships you are carried.
Ayat 81. And He shows you His Signs and Proofs (of His Oneness in all the above-mentioned things). Which, then of the Signs and Proofs of Allah do you deny?
Tafseer of Surah Al Mumin (The Believer) 79 to 81. It is Allah Who made cattle for you, that ye may use some for riding and some for food; Cf. 16:5-8. The fact that beasts, which in their wild state are so noxious, are, when domesticated, so useful to man, is itself one of the great and standing Signs of Allah’s care for man. The great usefulness of cattle is very instructive. They serve for riding, and many of them for food; further, they are used for the plough, and they produce milk, or wool or hair; and from their carcasses man derives bones and horns for many industrial uses; but passing on to the higher aspects of life, they further social, moral, and spiritual uses as draught-animals, in that transport serves one of the fundamental purposes of civilization, being in this respect like ships for international commerce: 30:46, and n. 3565. It is by means of human intercourse through transport that we can carry out the highest needs of our culture, “any need there may be in our hearts”, i.e., in our inner being. Ayat 80. And there are (other) advantages in them for you (besides); that ye may through them attain to any need (there may be) in your hearts; and on them and on ships ye are carried. Ayat 81. And He shows you (always) His Signs: then which of the Signs of Allah will ye deny? The Signs of Allah’s goodness and mercy are so numerous that it is impossible to enumerate them. Which of them can any mortal deny? This is the theme of that highly poetical Surah Al Rahman (S. 55).
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) mounted his camel for setting out on a journey, he would recite: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest),” thrice. Then he [SAWW](PBUH) would supplicate: “Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha, wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadh al-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-`amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin `alaina safarana hadha, watwi `anna ba’dahu. Allahumma Antas-Sahibu fissafari, wal-Khalifatu fil-ahli. Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min wa`ta’is-safari, wa kaabatil-manzari, wa su’il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahli wal-waladi (Far removed from imperfection is the One Who has made this subservient to us, for we have no power to subjugate it, and certainly to our Rubb shall we return. O Allah, we ask You during this journey of ours for righteousness, piety and such deeds as are pleasing to You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us, this journey of ours and make the distance short for us. O Allah, You are our Companion during the journey and the Guardian of the family and the property in our absence. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travelling, unhappiness connected with ghastly scenes and evil turns in property and family).” When he returned, he recited this supplication making addition of these words: “Ayibuna, ta’ibuna, `abiduna, li-Rabbina hamidun (We are those who return; those who repent; those who worship and those who praise our Rubb).”
[Muslim, Book # 07, Chapter 73, Hadith # 3113]
Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Mumin Ayat 79. Allah, it is He Who has made cattle for you that you may ride on some of them” This is a very comprehensive prayer. Man is not safe from dangers during a journey and in his absence; safety of his household may worry him, too. In this prayer, Allah is entreated to ensure the safety of the two in the most effective words. And none can harm that person who comes under the Watch and Protection of Allah. This prayer should be recited upon starting on a journey as well as returning from it.
