[43]. Surah Al Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments): Ayat 012-014

১২. এবং যিনি সবকিছুর যুগল সৃষ্টি করেছেন  এবং নৌকা ও চতুস্পদ জন্তুকে তোমাদের জন্যে যানবাহনে পরিণত করেছেন,

১৩. যাতে তোমরা তাদের পিঠের উপর আরোহণ কর। অতঃপর তোমাদের পালনকর্তার নেয়ামত স্মরণ কর এবং বল পবিত্র তিনি, যিনি এদেরকে আমাদের বশীভূত করে দিয়েছেন এবং আমরা এদেরকে বশীভূত করতে সক্ষম ছিলাম না।

১৪. আমরা অবশ্যই আমাদের পালনকর্তার দিকে ফিরে যাব।

Ayat 12. And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride,

Ayat 13. In order that you may mount firmly on their backs, and then may remember the Favour of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts)."

Ayat 14. And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!

Tafseer of Al Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments) Ayat 12. That has created pairs in all things, and has made for you ships and cattle on which ye ride, Cf. 20:53. Also see 36:36, By analogy all means of transport, including horses, camels, ships, steamers, railways, aero planes, airships, etc. The domestication of animals as well as the invention of mechanical means of transport require a skill and ingenuity in man, which are referred to Allah as His gifts or endowments to man. 13. In order that ye may sit firm and square on their backs, and when so seated, ye may celebrate the (kind) favour of your Lord, and say, "Glory to Him Who has subjected these to our (use), for we could never have accomplished this (by ourselves), People of understanding attribute all good to its true and original source viz.: Allah. 14. "And to our Lord, surely,(4619) must we turn back!" Men of understanding, every time they take a journey on earth, are reminded of that more momentous journey which they are taking of the back of Time to Eternity. Have they tamed Time to their lawful use, or do they allow Time to run away with them wildly to where they know not? Their goal is Allah, and their thoughts are ever with Allah.

Hazrat Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) mounted his camel for setting out on a journey, he would recite: "Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest),'' thrice. Then he [SAWW](PBUH) would supplicate: "Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha, wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadh al-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-`amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin `alaina safarana hadha, watwi `anna ba’dahu. Allahumma Antas-Sahibu fissafari, wal-Khalifatu fil-ahli. Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min wa`ta'is-safari, wa kaabatil-manzari, wa su'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahli wal-waladi (Far removed from imperfection is the One Who has made this subservient to us, for we have no power to subjugate it, and certainly to our Rubb shall we return. O Allah, we ask You during this journey of ours for righteousness, piety and such deeds as are pleasing to You. O Allah, make easy for us this journey of ours and make the distance short for us. O Allah, You are our Companion during the journey and the Guardian of the family and the property in our absence. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travelling, unhappiness connected with ghastly scenes and evil turns in property and family).'' When he returned, he recited this supplication making addition of these words: "Ayibuna, ta'ibuna, `abiduna, li-Rabbina hamidun (We are those who return; those who repent; those who worship and those who praise our Rubb).''

[Muslim, Book # 07, Chapter 73, Hadith # 3113]

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al Zukhruf Ayat 13. In order that you may mount firmly on their backs, and then may remember the Favour of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts)." This is a very comprehensive prayer. Man is not safe from dangers during a journey and in his absence; safety of his household may worry him, too. In this prayer, Allah is entreated to ensure the safety of the two in most effective words. And none can harm that person who comes under the Watch and Protection of Allah. This prayer should be recited upon starting on a journey as well as returning from it.