These Vacation Rental Platforms Cater To The Travel Accommodation And Lifestyle Needs Of Muslim Travellers

Picture: Muzbnb 

A vacation rental platform is an online rental platform and hospitality service that offers an alternative to hotel stays by acting as an online marketplace that enables people to lease or rent short-term lodging (vacation rentals, apartment rentals, homestays, and hostel beds) from the locals in their travel destinations. One of the most popular platforms in this space is Airbnb but Airbnb is a general platform and so does not effectively meet the specific travel accommodation and lifestyle needs of Muslim travellers. 

Most Muslims would prefer to rent and stay in the homes of other Muslims simply because of the fact of shared religious values and way of life. Muslim travellers would prefer to rent and stay in homes that are dry (alchohol free), close to the Mosques, halal food establishments and or Islamic historical sites in their host countries and as a result of this demand gap, the following companies were established as an alternative to Airbnb to help Muslim travellers rent welcoming, affordable and suitably located vacation homes from other Muslims around the world.

MUZBNB: Headquartered in Washington DC, U.S.A, Muzbnb was founded by Hadi Shakuur and Mohammed Oda and according to the company's website:

"Muzbnb was founded in 2016 by a group of young entrepreneurs who were not only looking to encourage travel & adventure within the global Muslim community; but to also build a community where Muslims could feel totally comfortable and accepted while traveling and lodging."

BOOKHALALHOMES: Headquartered in London, U.K, Karima Bihaki founded BookHalalHomes in 2016 and according to her, her vision for BookHalalHomes is:

"to create meaningful connections at Muslim friendly destinations and help to create better neighbourhoods where Muslim travellers feel safe and at home anytime, anywhere and any place."

There are several verses in the Qur'an where GOD instructs Muslims (believers) to travel. The following verses from the Qur'an are GOD's commands to us to travel in order to witness the magnificence of his creations, for the compulsory hajj pilgrimage, to learn about past civilizations, as well as to increase in knowledge and wisdom through travel experiences:

Qur'an: 29: 19-20:

"See they not how ALLAH originates the creation, then repeats it. Verily, that is easy for ALLAH. 

Say: Travel in the land and see how (ALLAH) originated the creation, then ALLAH will bring forth the creation of the hereafter. Verily, ALLAH is able to do all things."

Qur'an: 22: 46:

"Have they not travelled through the land, and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear? Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind but it is the hearts which are in the breasts  that grow blind."

Quran 22: 27:

"And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation). They will come from the farthest locations."

Qur'an: 30: 41-43:

"Say (O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see what was the end of those before (you)!

Most of them were Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the oneness of ALLAH)."

So set you your face to the straight and right religion, before there comes from ALLAH a day which none can avert..."

Qur'an: 27: 69:

"Say to them (O Muhammad), "Travel in the land and see how has been the end of the Mujrimun (those who denied ALLAH's monotheism, disobeyed ALLAH and denied his Messengers)."



Travelling for work or commerce is also encouraged as shown through the verses from the Qur'an below:

Qur'an: 16: 14:

"And He it is who has subjected the sea (to you), that you eat thereof fresh tender meat (fish), and that you bring forth out of it ornaments to wear (pearls, coral etc). And you see the ships ploughing through it, that you may seek (thus) of his bounty (international trade) and that you may be grateful."

Qur'an: 17: 66:

"Your LORD is He who drives the ship for you through the sea, in order that you may seek of his bounty. Truly, He is ever most merciful towards you."

Qur'an: 62: 10:

"Then when the Salat (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the bounty of ALLAH (work, international commerce etc), and remember ALLAH much: that you may be successful." 

Qur'an: 30: 46:

And among His signs is that He sends the winds as glad tidings, giving you a taste of His mercy (rain), and that the ships may sail by His command, and that you may seek of his bounty (travelling for work, relocating for a job or travelling for commerce), in order that you may be thankful."



We are also encouraged to travel simply for enjoyment or recreation as shown through the following verses in the Qur'an:

Qur'an: 10: 22:

He it is who enables you to travel by land and sea; until when you are in the ships, and they sail on with them in a pleasant breeze, and they rejoice.

Qur'an: 5: 96:

"Lawful for you is all water-game, and all the catch of the sea, as enjoyment for you and for those who travel."



Travelling with the intention to emigrate is also encouraged especially if you are currently living in a country where you are being oppressed and cannot freely express your right to practice Islam as a way of life the way you should be able to:

Qur'an: 16:41:

"Those who have emigrated for GOD because they were oppressed, We will grant them good in this world, and the reward of the End will be greater, if they knew."