The bath...

The bath, prayers (Namaz) and do'a at the time of departure: A tradition from Syed ibne Taoos (a.r.) states that when a person decides to go on a journey then at the time of departure he should first take a bath and while bathing he should recite the following doa: ‘I begin with the name of Allah. I rely on Him. No one possesses might except He, the most high, the most great. May theHoly Prophet and his true successors as ordained by God lead the follower.

May God shower His blessings on all of them. O Allah! by this bath make my heart pure, my chest broad, my grave filled with light. Make this bath illuminating, pure, a cure for all diseases and a vanguard against all curses, difficulties, evil and all the things I am afraid of; and make this bath purify the part of my body, bones, blood, hair, face, veins, thighs and all my things which the earth is burdened with.

O Allah, on the day I may be in need of troubling You with my request, let this pure bath be the witness to Your power over everything.

O the Creator of the whole universe.’ According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), the best caretaker of your family, who will look after them while you are travelling is, that at the time of departure you should offer two rakat prayers and recite: ‘O Allah I leave unto Your care my life, my wife and my children, my merchandise, my generation, my world here and hereafter, deposit under my custody and place my end of life in Your hands.’ Complete etiquette of going on a journey: A tradition from Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), states that Hazrat Luqman (a.s.) advised his son that when he was travelling with others, he should consult his companions about his own affairs; he should be happy at the time of his meeting with them and should try to spend with others in the cause of charity; and if they ask him for a meal, he should accept the invitation and oblige them; if they ask him for a loan, he should give them.

He should try to be good at the following: a) In keeping quiet b) In offering prayers c) In serving with courage and kindness with whatsoever he may possess; whether it was a means of conveyance, money or food If they ask him to be a witness in a good offer, he should give the best advice and he should refrain from giving suggestions unless he had fully thought about the matter.

Instead, after giving thought to the matter he should go to sleep and after waking up he should again think about it and then take food and again think over it.