7 Tips for Traveling During Eid

By Halal Trip | 22, Jun, 2017
7 Tips for Traveling During Eid
"Oh you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous." – [Qur’an 2:183]
 
Eid-Ul-Fitr is one of the two of the most special and auspicious days of the year for a Muslim (the other being Eid-Ul-Adha). We spend the entire month of Ramadan depriving our bodies from food and water from dawn till dusk every day. We stand in prayer during the nights, recite the Qur’an, do dhikr, and give charity during the days. Eid-Ul-Fitr is the celebration that comes at the end of the month of Ramadan, when we celebrate all the good deeds and ibadah that we took part in during the month.
 
Many people are on holiday during Ramadan and Eid from work and school, which is why it becomes the prime time for travel (especially this year as it is looking like it might be a long weekend including the day of Eid-Ul-Fitr, depending on where in the world you live). But there are quite a few ‘complications’ that arise when you are planning on traveling during this special time. And since it is such an important time of the year for all Muslims, we must try our best to make the most of the situation
 
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some simple tips for trouble-free Eid travel.

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1. Try to Postponean open planner

Image Credit: Estée Janssens on Unsplash  
 
If it’s possible at all, try and postpone your trip to after Eid is over so you can get the best out of this special day by spending it with your friends and family. After all, there are only two days in the entire year when we Muslims get to celebrate.
 
If postponing your travel isn’t a possibility, consider preponing it so you can get it out of the way before Eid arrives. If you’re wondering about how to travel during Ramadan, check out HalalTrip’s ‘Tips for Traveling During Ramadhan’ for some great advice on how you can travel during Ramadan.
 

2. Have Everything Ready

Make all pre-arrangements to ensure that you have a trouble-free Eid travel. If you plan on spending your Eid on vacation or on travel, have your new Eid clothes and anything else you would need with you. If it’s the festival of Eid-Ul-Adha, make preparations for sacrifice so you can do your part even though you are not physically there. Another thing you should do is get your Eid gifts ready before you leave (if you are traveling alone), so your family and children can still enjoy their day and feel like they are celebrating with you even if you are far away.
 

3. Start after Eid PrayersGathering of people praying `

Image Credit: Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash

Eid prayers are another act of ibadah that we have the chance of participating in only on two occasions in the entire year. Sure, it is not fard (obligatory) and you can pray it by yourself if you prefer, but you definitely should offer Eid prayers if you have the ability and the best way to do so is in the congregation.
 
If you have travel plans for an Eid holiday, make arrangements to either leave after Eid prayers or arrive in your destination beforehand. And if you’re going to be celebrating Eid in a new and unfamiliar place, do some research in advance and find out the local Eid prayer timings and locations.
 

4. Enjoy A Meal Together with Family  

If you’re going to be traveling during Eid-Ul-Fitr by yourself, chances are you will go for a good chunk of the day. That’s why it’s important that you make time to have one meal together with your family on this auspicious day, be it lunch, dinner, or even breakfast. And make it a special one!
 

5. Make Time to Visit Friends and Familymuslim family standing in front of a mosque

 
Another important thing that we do during Eid-Ul-Fitr is visiting friends, family, and neighbors. Social gatherings strengthen the bond between families and communities and what better time than this auspicious day to do so. Don’t let your journey keep you from participating in this time-honored and extremely important tradition. If you are planning on traveling during Eid-Ul-Fitr, make sure to schedule some time (an hour or two at minimum) so you can visit your closest living family and friends for at least a short time.
 

6. Shorten and Combine Prayers

“And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for the shortening prayer.” -[Qur’an: An-Nisa:101]
 
Just like any other time of the year, the traveling Muslim has been given the concession of shortening and combining his/her prayers during the journey to make it easier upon themselves. And as always, it’s important that you follow the correct rulings of shortening and combining prayers.
 

7. Do Ibadah
someone praying by the quran

Image Credit: Faseeh Fawaz on Unsplash
 
Ibn Abbas (rali) narrated that the Prophet (sal) said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijja)." Then some companions of the Prophet (sal) said, "Not even Jihad?" He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake) and does not return with any of those things." –[Sahih-Al-Bukhari]
 
Just because Ramadan has come to an end does not mean so should your ibadah. The whole point of Ramadan is to set a precedent for the rest of the year, so we can strive to achieve to be as good and do as much ibadah throughout our lives. So, don’t let yourself slip on the day right after the holy month ends.
 
Try and follow whatever you would do if you were traveling during Ramadan, minus the part where you refrain from eating and drinking. Remember Allah always; do dikr during the journey, carry a mini portable Qur’an with you, and most importantly, do not miss your prayers.
 

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