Sunnats and Aadaab – Hanafi Mazhab

1. When the traveller is departing, then he should bid farewell to his family through reciting the following dua: أَسْتَوْدِعُكَ اللهَ الَّذِيْ لَا تَضِيْعَ وَدَائِعُهُ I entrust you to Allah Ta‘ala, the One whose trusts are never destroyed.[1] 2. The family of the traveller should recite the following dua when …

1. When ascending any place, recite takbeer (الله اكبر), and when descending, recite tasbeeh (سبحان الله).

Hazrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) would recite takbeer while ascending, and recite tasbeeh while descending.

1. When travelling in a group, appoint one person as the ameer.

Hazrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri I reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “When three people come out on a journey, then they should appoint one of them as the ameer of the journey.”

1. It is preferable to begin a journey on a Thursday. Hence, if it is possible for you to travel on a Thursday, then you should begin your journey on a Thursday. Commencing a journey on any other day is also permissible.

Hazrat Ka’b bin Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “It was the habit of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that when he intended embarking on a journey, he would generally depart on a Thursday.

The deen of Islam has presented laws and injunctions, and sunnats and aadaab (etiquettes), to teach man how to conduct in all situations and all conditions.

Just as the deen of Islam has provided guidance to a person when he is residing in his hometown, similarly it has provided him with guidance as to how he should conduct when he is out on safar (travelling on a journey).

In other words, the deen of Islam is so complete, comprehensive and perfect that it has taken a person’s condition into consideration at all times and all situations and provided him with appropriate guidance.  

1. If a drink is being shared by a few people, then after the first person drinks, he should pass the drink to the one who is on his right.

Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that on one occasion, some milk that was mixed with a little water (to cool the milk) was presented to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). At that time, a Bedouin was seated on the right side of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), while Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was seated on the left side of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). After Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) drank, he passed the utensil to the Bedouin to drink and said, “The one on the right should be given first, and thereafter the one on his right.”

1. When drinking, do not gulp all the contents at once, as this may harm your body. Instead, you should drink in three sips. If the contents are so little that one may drink it in one or two sips, then it is permissible to drink in less than three sips.

DRINKING

There are many sunnats and aadaab (etiquettes) in regard to drinking. Some sunnats and aadaab pertain to the various duas which have been prescribed to be recited before, during and after drinking. Other sunnats and aadaab relate to the manner in which a person should drink.

Apart from this, there are sunnats and aadaab that teach a person the amount of liquid that he should drink at one time in order for him to avoid damaging his health. Hence, drinking in the correct manner is essential, as this will enable one to maintain good health which will assist him in the worship of Allah Ta‘ala.

Duas After Eating

Dua One

All praise is due to Allah Ta‘ala who gave us food and drink and made us Muslims.

1. Do not criticize or find fault with the food.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) never found fault with the food. If he desired eating it, he ate it, and if he was not inclined towards eating it, he left it (without finding fault with it).