Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 98

Excellence of Adopting Different Routes for Going and Returning on 'Eid Prayer and Various Other Occasions

باب استحباب الذهاب إلى العيد وعيادة المريض والحج والغزو الجنازة ونحوها من طريق والرجوع من طريق آخر لتكثير مواضع العبادة

This short chapter draws a lesson from a simple habit of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the practice of leaving by one road and returning by another on the day of Eid and on similar journeys. A small variation in path, it turns out, can carry meaning, multiplying the places that witness a person's worship and remembrance.

Notice how Buruja invites you to see ordinary movement as something that can be touched by intention. Where you walk, which way you turn, even these can become part of a life oriented toward Allah, scattering the marks of devotion across more of the earth and meeting more of His servants along the way.

Hadith 718

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن جابر رضي الله عنه ‏:‏ كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم إذا كان يوم عيد خالف الطريق‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

On the occasion of the 'Eid, the Prophet (ﷺ) would proceed to the prayer place taking one route and returning from another. [Al-Bukhari].

In plain words

On Eid the Prophet would walk to the prayer place by one road and return by another. A small change of path can carry its own meaning.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 718 In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 39

Hadith 719

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يخرج من طريق الشجرة، ويدخل من طريق المعرس، وإذا دخل مكة دخل من الثنية العليا ويخرج من الثنية السفلى‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to go by way of Ash-Shajarah and return by way of Al-Mu'arras. He would also enter Makkah through the Higher Pass and would leave it through the Lower Pass. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet would take one route going and a different one returning on his journeys. Varying the way reflects a habit of intention even in ordinary travel.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 719 In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 40