English Translation of Al-Quran
[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]
Ayat 18. And Allah placed between them and the towns (Yemen and Syria) which Allah had blessed, towns easy to be seen, and Allah made the stages (of journey) between them easy (saying): “Travel in them safely both by night and day”
Tafseer of Surah Saba’ (Sheba) Ayat 18. Between them and the Cities on which Allah had poured our blessings, Allah had placed Cities in prominent positions and between them Allah had appointed stages of journey in due proportion: “Travel therein, secure, by night and by day.” An instance is now given of the sort of covetousness on the part of the people of Saba, which ruined their prosperity and trade and cut their own throats. The old Frankincense route was the great Highway (Imam Mubin 15:79; Sabil Muqim, 15:76) between Arabia (incl Yemen) and Syria. Through Syria it connected with the great and flourishing Kingdoms of the Euphrates and Tigris valleys on the one hand and Egypt on the other and with the great Roman Empire round the Mediterranean. At the other end, through the Yemen Coast, the road connected, by sea transport, with India, Malaya, and China. The Yemen-Syria road was much frequented, and Madain Salih was one of the stations on that route, and afterwards on the Pilgrim route. Syria was the land on which Allah “had poured his blessings”, being a rich fertile country, where Abraham had lived: it includes the Holy Land of Palestine. The route was studded in the days of its prosperity with many stations (cities) close to each other, on which merchants could travel with ease and safety, “by night and by day”. The close proximity of stations prevented the inroads of highwaymen.
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 ﷺ [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 Saba Ayat 18. “Allah made the stages (of journey) between them easy (saying): Travel in them safely both by night and day” 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.
