The Ultimate Halal Travel Packing Checklist: Essentials for Muslim Travelers
Traveling is a tiresome experience for many, but for Muslim travelers, it becomes even more exhilarating. Whether starting your journey on a spiritual pilgrimage or simply exploring a new destination, packing the correct type of things can greatly reduce the stress of traveling.
The travel essentials for Muslims can make all the difference in the world. Let's discuss the different travel packing essentials for Muslim travelers for your next trip:
1. Prayer App
Muslims visiting a new country with a different time zone can find it challenging to offer their prayers at the correct time. In the past, there was no way to figure this out, but due to the digital era, it has become easier for all traveling Muslims.
A prayer app not only helps to figure out the local prayer timings but also helps find the direction of the Qibla. Moreover, you can also get access to countless duas for traveling that you can easily recite. Eventually, you will not have to worry about all these things and will easily offer your prayers when traveling to a foreign land.
2. Travel Prayer Mat
Prayers are one of the pillars of Islam, and they are considered mandatory during travel. There are numerous instances in Sunnah where Muslims are instructed to offer their prayers even while traveling. However, you can shorten them if you feel your life is in danger.
'A'isha, the wife of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), reported:
The prayer was prescribed as two rak'ahs, two rak'ahs both in journey and at the place of residence. The prayer while traveling remained as it was (originally prescribed), but an addition was made in the prayer (observed) at the place of residence. Sahih Muslim (Book 6, Hadith 1)
Travel mats are lightweight and easy to carry so you can offer your prayers on the go. These portable mats can fit in your bag pack or travel luggage and ensure that you offer your prayers whenever you want.
3. Prayer Clothes
As Muslims, we are all aware of the fact that we need to dress neatly and modestly whenever we want to offer prayers. Muslim women must cover their heads with scarves or shawls. On the other hand, Muslim men must cover their heads with a Namaz cap. You must carry these prayer clothes everywhere to avoid missing Salah. Keep one to two sets of prayer clothes with you at hand so that if one gets dirty, you can use the other one in an emergency.
4. Miswak
When traveling to a foreign country, you are unaware of the ingredients in their toothpaste. Such insecurity makes you question whether you should maintain your dental hygiene. Islam has given us a solution for this as well. Miswak is a natural Halal toothbrush that the Holy Prophet himself used.
Miswak is a tree twig with antibacterial properties. This natural plant can be rubbed on the teeth, which helps to keep the mouth fresh while traveling.
5. Portable Bidet
When traveling to foreign countries, especially those where Muslims are not in the majority, one of the main problems that Muslims have to face is the absence of a bidet in the toilets. Many companies have introduced the concept of a portable bidet.
Portable bidets are plastic, lightweight, and easily filled with water. They ensure that Muslims maintain their hygiene when traveling. The best part is that they are discrete and will not occupy as much space as a jug.
6. Clay Soap
When traveling, Muslims have to select a variety of accommodations. We cannot limit the type of guests that stay in a particular room or the type of utensils that they use. Hotels and restaurants claim that the utensils and accessories are cleaned and sanitized. However, to make sure that they are, in fact, permissible to use, you can cleanse them with a clay soap.
Cleaning objects from Haram substances is termed Sertu, and it is usually done with any soil. Clay soap is designed to provide convenience to Muslims traveling and constantly changing accommodations during travel.
7. Instant Halal Food
Unfortunately, locating Halal food in a foreign land can be quite stressful. You can ask around for Halal food and go searching around for it. Alternatively, you can carry your instant food to prepare while traveling.
The best aspect about carrying your instant food is that you can prepare it within minutes when you feel too lazy to look for one. Some options for instant Halal food include instant noodles, Microwaveable gravy, and more.
8. Medicines
Believe it or not, Medicines often contain gelatinous substances derived from Haram sources. For this reason, you must pack your bag of essential medicines such as painkillers, anti-nausea, and fever medicines. Keep this first aid bag in your backpack so that it is easily accessible to you at the time of need.
9. Soap
Maintaining hygiene while traveling is necessary. You may need to do laundry on the go or have a bath. Many non-Muslim countries yet again prepare soap and laundry detergents from haram sources. Therefore, carrying your soap for laundry and personal hygiene is essential when traveling.
You can also use this travel hack for your convenience. All you need to do is take a bar of soap and cut it into small cubes. This way, you do not have to carry the wet soap whenever you change places. Leave the used soap when you leave the hotel, and use a new cube whenever possible.
Conclusion
Now that you have a list of essentials for your next destination as a Muslim traveler, you must get started on creating your checklist of other things that you think are important. While traveling, ensure you can carry as much personal Halal stuff as possible to enjoy your trip without worrying about Halal things. Always remember that well-packed luggage that ticks all the essentials will help you have a wonderful journey ahead. Have safe travels!
Author Bio:
Rafia is a certified Quran scholar and Islamic content writer based in Pakistan. She is passionate about educating and inspiring others through her writing, promoting a deeper understanding of Islamic principles. She occasionally writes articles for Muslim And Quran.