Continued from before...
There are nine kinds of journeys that are undertaken to seek something out.
1. THE JOURNEY FOR MORAL SELF-CORRECTION:
It means travelling through the world for the specific purpose of observing the creations of Allah Ta'alah and the manifestations of His perfect power, and to learn how previous civilisations came to an end, in order to improve one's own life.
2. THE JOURNEY OF HAJJ:
That it is an Islamic duty, subject to some conditions, is known to all.
3. THE JOURNEY OF JIHAD:
All Muslims know that it is either obligatory (Fard), or necessary (Wajib), or recommended Mustahabb).
4. THE JOURNEY FOR EMPLOYMENT:
If a person cannot earn enough income sufficient for his basic needs in his homeland then it is incumbent upon him that he travels elsewhere and looks for earning opportunities there.
5. THE JOURNEY FOR TRADING:
It means traveling to acquire wealth in excess of just fulfilling one's basic needs. This too is permissible under Shariah. When Allah Ta'alah has allowed trading even while travelling for Hajj, then travelling for the sole purpose of trading becomes even more permissible.
6. THE JOURNEY FOR EDUCATION:
It is an absolute duty for every Muslim to obtain enough education to practice Islam properly themselves. It is an obligation of sufficiency (Fard al-kifayah) for at least some Muslims to learn the whole knowledge of Shariah.
7. THE JOURNEY TO A PLACE BELIEVING IT TO BE SACRED AND BLESSED:
In Al-Qurtubi and Ibn al-Arabi's opinion this kind of journey is permissible to visit only three places; 1. Al-Masjid Al-Haram (Makkah al-Mukkarramah), 2. Al-Masjid An-Nabawiyy (Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah), and 3. Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (Baytul-Maqdis). (Other revered scholars of early Islam and their successors have also allowed the undertaking of travel to visit places generally considered blessed - Mufti Muhammad Shafi RE)
8. THE JOURNEY UNDERTAKEN TO GUARD ISLAMIC FRONTIERS:
This is known as Ribat. There are many Hadith reports which commend it strongly.
9. THE JOURNEY TO VISIT RELATIVES AND FRIENDS:
This has been declared a source of reward and Thawab in Hadith. A Hadith of Sahih Muslim mentions that angels pray for those who undertake a journey to visit relatives and friends. (This is contingent upon the purpose of the meeting only being to please Allah Ta'alah and not to seek material gains)
The end...
Adapted from Ma'ariful Quran, interpretation of Surah Al-Nahl, by Mufti Muhammad Shafi RE
There are nine kinds of journeys that are undertaken to seek something out.
1. THE JOURNEY FOR MORAL SELF-CORRECTION:
It means travelling through the world for the specific purpose of observing the creations of Allah Ta'alah and the manifestations of His perfect power, and to learn how previous civilisations came to an end, in order to improve one's own life.
2. THE JOURNEY OF HAJJ:
That it is an Islamic duty, subject to some conditions, is known to all.
3. THE JOURNEY OF JIHAD:
All Muslims know that it is either obligatory (Fard), or necessary (Wajib), or recommended Mustahabb).
4. THE JOURNEY FOR EMPLOYMENT:
If a person cannot earn enough income sufficient for his basic needs in his homeland then it is incumbent upon him that he travels elsewhere and looks for earning opportunities there.
5. THE JOURNEY FOR TRADING:
It means traveling to acquire wealth in excess of just fulfilling one's basic needs. This too is permissible under Shariah. When Allah Ta'alah has allowed trading even while travelling for Hajj, then travelling for the sole purpose of trading becomes even more permissible.
6. THE JOURNEY FOR EDUCATION:
It is an absolute duty for every Muslim to obtain enough education to practice Islam properly themselves. It is an obligation of sufficiency (Fard al-kifayah) for at least some Muslims to learn the whole knowledge of Shariah.
7. THE JOURNEY TO A PLACE BELIEVING IT TO BE SACRED AND BLESSED:
In Al-Qurtubi and Ibn al-Arabi's opinion this kind of journey is permissible to visit only three places; 1. Al-Masjid Al-Haram (Makkah al-Mukkarramah), 2. Al-Masjid An-Nabawiyy (Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah), and 3. Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (Baytul-Maqdis). (Other revered scholars of early Islam and their successors have also allowed the undertaking of travel to visit places generally considered blessed - Mufti Muhammad Shafi RE)
8. THE JOURNEY UNDERTAKEN TO GUARD ISLAMIC FRONTIERS:
This is known as Ribat. There are many Hadith reports which commend it strongly.
9. THE JOURNEY TO VISIT RELATIVES AND FRIENDS:
This has been declared a source of reward and Thawab in Hadith. A Hadith of Sahih Muslim mentions that angels pray for those who undertake a journey to visit relatives and friends. (This is contingent upon the purpose of the meeting only being to please Allah Ta'alah and not to seek material gains)
The end...
Adapted from Ma'ariful Quran, interpretation of Surah Al-Nahl, by Mufti Muhammad Shafi RE
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