To facilitate travel in this world, we have to use transport of one kind or another. Islam teaches us that when we make use of these different means of transport, we must remember Allah and say: ‘Glory to Him who has subjected these to us. But for Him we could never have accomplished this. To our Lord we shall return.’ (43:13-14)

One of Allah’s countless bounties is His provision of suitable conveyances. To meet different requirements one has to travel from one place to another. But one cannot traverse long distances on foot. Allah has therefore come to our aid and made certain things subject to us in order that we may utilize them as transport.

Initially, animals alone were the means of conveyance. Then man crossed the seas, making ships for travelling long distances. Investigations revealed that Allah had endowed matter with such properties that it could be fashioned into much more rapid forms of transport. Hence the motor car and the airplane came into existence.

All means of transportation, right from the horse to the airplanes, are blessings of Allah. If they were brought into being, it was entirely due to Allah having harnessed the potential of nature to human use. When one thinks of all these bounties showered upon us by Allah one spontaneously calls out: ‘O Allah, It is You who has subjected everything to us. It would not otherwise have been possible for us to make use of things as we have.’

Blessings are of benefit to the thankful person in this world as well as in the next. All that a thankless person will receive is temporary provision in this world and eternal chastisement in the next.