Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)

Chapter 171
Glorification of Allah by a Traveler while Ascending and Descending

975. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When we ascended (a height) we would proclaim: "Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest),'' and when we descended (from the height) we would proclaim: "Subhan Allah (Allah is free from imperfection).'''
[Al-Bukhari].

976. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever the Prophet (PBUH) and his army ascended a height, they would proclaim: "Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest),'' and when they climbed down, they would proclaim: "Subhan Allah (Allah is free from imperfection).''
[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: While climbing up some height, superiority complex may creep into man's head. He should, therefore, pronounce Divine greatness saying that Allah is the Greatest of all, the Most High, and all creatures are low and humble and subordinate to Him. On climbing down we should say: "Subhan Allah (Allah is free from imperfection).

977.  Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever the Prophet (PBUH) returned from Hajj or `Umrah and ascended a height or hill, he would recite thrice: "Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest).'' Then he would say, "La ilaha ill-allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli shay'in Qadeer. Ayibuna ta'ibuna `abiduna li-Rabbina hamidun. Sadaq-Allahu wa`dahu, wa nasara `abdahu, wa hazamal-ahzaba wahdahu [None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, Who has no partner, to Whom the sovereignty belongs, to Whom all praise is due, and Who is Able to do all things. We are those who return (in safety), feel penitence, worship Allah, prostrate before our Rubb and praise Him. Allah has fulfilled His Promise, helped His slave (i.e., Muhammad (PBUH)) and He Alone vanquished the Clans].''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

978. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said: "O Messenger of Allah (PBUH), I intend to set out on a journey, so counsel me.'' He (PBUH) said, "Fear Allah, and ascending towards the raised ground, you should recite: "Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest).'' When the man turned away, he (PBUH) said, "O Allah! Shorten the distance for him and make the journey easy for him.'' [At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: Prior to setting out on a journey, a believer may ask pious people to supplicate for him. They, are required to pray sincerely for his safety, advise him, among other things, on religious matters not to be forgetful of the obedience and remembrance of Allah during the journey.

979. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We accompanied the Prophet (PBUH) in a journey, and when we climbed up a height, we proclaimed aloud: "La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah)'' and "Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest).'' The Prophet (PBUH) admonished us saying, "O people, take it easy. He Whom you are calling is not deaf or absent. He is with you (i.e., by His Knowledge), He is Hearing and He is Near.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that in the pronouncement of the fundamental testification of Islam: "La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah)'' (Tahlil) - and His Magnification: "Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest)'' (Takbir) - the voices of the Companions became a bit louder during a journey. The Prophet (PBUH) disapproved of it and commanded them not to put themselves to hardship by remembering Allah in a loud voice, and directed to do that calmly in a dignified, low voice.