The Book of Etiquette of traveling (Part 2)
بسم الله والحمد لله
والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد
Chapter: The desirability
of undertaking a journey in a group and appointing a group leader for the
journey.
958 - Narrated Ibn
`Umar رضي الله عنه:
The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم
said: ❝Were people to know of what I know about the dangers of
travelling alone, no rider would travel alone at night.❞ [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree
(2998)]
959 - Narrated
`Abdullaah Ibn `Amr Ibn al-`Aas رضي الله عنهما: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝A
single rider is a devil, and a pair of riders is a pair of devils, but three
are a company of riders.❞ [Sunan Abu
Dawood (2607) and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1674) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]
960 - Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree and Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنهما reported: The Messenger
of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم
said: ❝When three persons set out on a journey, they should
appoint one of them as their leader.❞ [Sunan
Abu Dawood (2608, 2609) and graded as “Hasan-Saheeh”
by Shaikh al-Albaanee]
961 - Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما reported: The Prophet
صلى الله عليه وسلم
said: ❝The best number of companions is four; the best number in
expedition is four hundred; and the best number in armies is four thousand; and
twelve thousand men will not be defeated as a result of smallness of numbers.❞ [Sunan Abu Dawood
(2611) and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1555) and graded as “Dha`eef”
by Shaikh al-Albaanee. Note that the Shaikh had initially graded this Hadeeth
as “Saheeh” but upon rechecking he graded it as Dha`eef. See al-Saheehah
(2/680-685/968); Dha`eef al-Targheeb (1814)]
Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh
al-`Uthaymeen رحمه
الله said:
The author (Imaam al-Nawawee) رحمه الله said
in his book Riyaadh al-Saaliheen, Chapter: Desirability of undertaking a
journey in a group and appointing someone amongst themselves as a group leader.
This chapter deals with two issues.
The first issue: One should travel with a group; otherwise
he should not travel alone. This is why the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝Were
people to know of what I know about the dangers of travelling alone, no rider
would travel alone at night❞, meaning: a person should never travel alone (on a
route). Perhaps he may fall sick, or he may faint, or someone may overpower him
(and steal his belongings) or the likes and there would be no one to defend
him, (or help him), or inform about him. This is regarding traveling (on routes)
where one is completely alone; but as for the routes where there is constant
traffic, and not a minute goes by except that there is a car passing you by –
in such cases, even if you are alone in your own car, such rulings will not
apply; i.e. he would not be considered as travelling alone because nowadays the
routes are monitored from one province to another, from one city to another. So
in such situations, he (the traveler) doesn’t come under this prohibition.
Moreover, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned in the other
Hadeeth that the lone traveler is a devil; two travelers are two devils; but as
for three, then they are a group of riders; meaning: when the person is
traveling alone, he is a devil; when a person has only one companion to
accompany him, then they both are devils; but when there are three people
traveling together, they are riders and not devils. This Hadeeth is also a
warning and discouragement from traveling alone or with only with one
companion. But when there are three, there is no problem with that. And as
mentioned earlier, this is again limited to routes and journeys where there is
no one else coming and going.
Then the author mentioned the Hadeeth of Abu Sa`eed and Abu
Hurairah that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
had commanded the travelers, when they are traveling, to appoint one of them as
a leader. Meaning: one of them is appointed as leader who is in charge of the
group – deciding where to go, when to stop/rest, when to pray, when to eat and
all that which is related with traveling. If they do not appoint a leader,
there will be chaos and mismanagement. This is why it is said that people do
not benefit when there is chaos and there is no one higher (in command to control
them). Therefore, it is a must that a leader is chosen who manages their
affairs.
It is apparent from this Hadeeth that when a leader is appointed
then he should be obeyed in the matters related with traveling for a smooth
journey because he is now their leader. But as for the matters which are not
related with traveling, then obeying him in that is not necessary, especially when
the matters are personal except when he considers him to be a leader from whom he
can seek advice. As Allaah تبارك وتعالى
said:
﴿فَاعْفُ
عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ﴾
{…so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah's)
Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. } [Surah
aal-`Imraan (3): 159]
So, he can seek counseling for his benefit in the matters
which are not clear for him. But if the matters are clear, then there is no
need for him to consult the group leader. And success is only with Allaah.
[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen of Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (4/584-586)]
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