Lifestyle and Medicine

Solo travel is discouraged because the traveler is said to be accompanied by Satan and to be straying from the right path. When traveling alone is unavoidable, however, one may do so by reciting supplications and taking appropriate precautions. Travel undertaken for frivolous entertainment or to assist an oppressor is also religiously condemned, and prayers should not be shortened during such trips.

The hadith “Nine-tenths of provision is in trade” uses “trade” in a broad sense that includes production, industry and the pursuit of knowledge; it should not be restricted to buying and selling. The hadith highlights the importance of economic activity and avoiding idleness. Trade means putting capital to work for profit, and that capital may be financial, intellectual, scholarly, social, physical or technical. Industry and production are also important forms of trade.