travel guide for my muzzies!!

Travelling as a muslim does come with its sets of challenges which may differ than a regular traveller. As a decently frequent traveller (self claim), here are some things to look out for when travelling as a muslim (especially in a non muslim country)!!

1. Food

Halal food can be quite difficult to find especially in a non muslim country. More often than not, the options offered are quite…. limited (eating mediterranean food all day err day?) AND pricier. Ain’t no way I wanna spend >20SGD on 1 meal EVERYDAY (I mean if you can afford it go ahead man)

To ease this, I suggest to bring some instant food/ready to eat meals from back home especially on days where it’s much harder or more inconvenient to look for halal food.

Here are some of my fave options for ready to eat malay food:

https://s.shopee.sg/LSAlc3sgT (paru belado)

https://s.shopee.sg/9ezqLCvCna (nasi berlauk)

On the other hand, you can also look for halal options in supermarkets and perhaps cook if given the opportunity. We gotta save costs where we can mans… If REALLYYYYY no choice you can also look through the ingredients of foods and make youre judgement from there. (to each their own don't quote me)

*In some places, they may serve alcohol in the same restaurant as the halal foods. While in others, you may need to request for a halal options. Regardless, just ask if you’re unsure.

2. Purification

This is especially so if you’re staying in an Airbnb so listen up!! BRING PURIFICATION SOAP (sabun sertu). Lifesaver fr. Having this soap ensures that you can maintain cleanliness while travelling since the utensils and crockery may have been used to cook non halal meals. For pots and pans usually I would get new ones entirely since it eases my mind and i don’t have to think whether non halal meals have been cooked using said crockery. At the same time if you touched something haram as well you can always use the purification soap. Better to be safe than sorry!!

Here’s where you can find the soap:

https://s.shopee.sg/7pYC7vfWXd

3. Prayers

For them young lads this is a tad bit easier to deal with so I’ll focus more on the muslimahs. LADIES. BRING A TRAVEL TELEKUNG. It’s so lightweight and compact so you can bring it pretty much anywhere. (if you’re going somewhere windy do bring pins since its REALLY that lightweight and will fly off with too much wind. And don’t forget your prayer mat (sejadah) because at times you may find yourself praying in some random corner where you’re not sure how clean exactly the place is.

Prayer memorabilia links:

https://s.shopee.sg/8KUSj1mJ7O (travel telekung)

https://s.shopee.sg/9KMzwHmgih (travel sejadah)

*Depending on the place, there may be prayer rooms provided so don’t forget to do your research.

Now what about prayer timings, and jama' and qasar?? The general consensus is that you are allowed to combine and shorten the prayers as long as you are a musafir (traveller). Would not expand too much on this but you can always search online on how to do this properly!! Essentially it serves to make the lives of travellers easier and not having to worry so much about prayers when travelling. (once again, each their ownnn)

4. Toilet time!!

The lack of bidets especially in european countries sometimes just… take me out… hais. HENCEEEE portable bidets!!! So useful for use whenever needed cos all you have to do is fill it with water and voila! This bidet has saved me when I was in the middle of a village in Laos and needed to pee…. in the open… rahhhhhh.

Bidet link:

https://s.shopee.sg/8Unswt8URJ

Last but not least, I want to emphasise the importance of safety. Some places may be more muslim friendly than others so it’s very very important for you to do prior research before travelling. Places which are known for its Islamophobia, unfortunately, hijabis like myself would have to be more cautious since we represent Islam in a more prominent light. But no worries!! That shouldn’t stop you from travelling the world!! Just a reminder to be more mindful thats all. <3

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Travel throughout the land and see how He originated the creation, then Allah will bring it into being one more time. Surely Allah is Most Capable of everything. (29:20)

I hope that these tips n tricks will help you ease your travels. Safe travelling young muslim!!

meowmeow!! <3

#travel #traveling #guide #muslim #muslimah #halal #lemon8travel #islam