Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting after Maghrib, and his Companions were with him. Meanwhile, some travellers passed by. The one driving them from behind was reciting (the Qur'an), and the one leading them in front was chanting the huda (camel-driving song). When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw them, he got up quickly and went forward without his cloak. The people said: "O Messenger of Allah! We will go in your place." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Leave it; I will convey to them what has been revealed to me concerning them." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) reached those people and said: "Where are you going at this hour?" They said: "We are going to Yemen." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Why are you travelling at this hour? Indeed, Allah Almighty has in the heaven a mighty authority which He sends towards the people of the earth. So do not travel, not even a single step, except for what a man finds in his belly and bladder of urine which he has no choice but to relieve, and not a step more. And you, O driver of the people, you should recite some of the speech of the Arabs in the form of rajaz, and when you are riding, recite (the Qur'an). And you should travel by night, for Allah Almighty has angels who are appointed to fold up the earth for the traveller just as you fold up paper, and after morning comes the people praise the night journey. Let no poet or soothsayer accompany you, let no stray animal be with you, and do not turn away anyone who asks, if you want profit, safety and good companionship. I wonder at myself: how can I sleep when all eyes are sleeping? And Allah Almighty has forbidden you from travelling at this hour."
Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat, and it is in the manuscript just as it is here, but it has not been collated. Its chain contains Sulaym Abu Salamah, the companion of al-Sha'bi and his mawla (freed slave), and he is da'if (weak). Ibn Adi said: I have not seen any munkar (rejected) hadith from him; he has only been faulted for not mastering the chains of transmission.
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب الحج / 5294