Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 166

The Desirability of setting on a Journey on Thursday in the Early part of the Day

باب استحباب الخروج يوم الخميس واستحبابه أول النهار

Opening the Book of the Etiquette of Traveling, this chapter shows that even the timing of a journey can be touched by the Prophet's example and blessing. He favored setting out on a Thursday, and he loved to begin in the early morning, turning a simple departure into something aligned with the Sunnah.

The thread to notice is barakah, blessing placed by Allah in the start of the day. The Prophet's supplication for the early hours, and the real prosperity of a Companion who acted on it, teach that beginnings done in obedience and with trust in Allah carry a goodness that mere planning cannot supply.

Hadith 956

Ka'b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن كعب بن مالك، رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلمى الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم خرج في غزوة تبوك يوم الخميس، وكان يحب أن يخرج يوم الخميس‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ وفي رواية في “الصحيحين” لقلما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يخرج إلا في يوم الخميس‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) set out on Thursday for the expedition of Tabuk. He liked to set out on a journey on Thursdays. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In plain words

The Prophet set out on his journey to Tabuk on a Thursday, and he liked to begin journeys on Thursdays.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 956 In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 1

Hadith 957

Sakhr bin Wada'ah Al-Ghamidi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن صخر بن وداعة الغامدي الصحابي رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ “اللهم بارك لأمتي في بكورها‏"‏ وكان إذا بعث سرية أو جيشاً بعثهم من أول النهار‏.‏ وكان صخر تاجراً فكان يبعث تجارته أول النهار، فأثري وكثر ماله” ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود والترمذي وقال‏:‏ حديث حسن‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "O Allah! Bless my people in the early part of the day (morning). Whenever he dispatched a detachment or an army-unit, he would dispatch it at the beginning of the day (soon after dawn). The narrator, Sakhr (May Allah be pleased with him) was a merchant, and he used to send off his merchandise at the beginning of the day. So his trade flourished and he made a good fortune. [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

In plain words

The Prophet prayed for Allah's blessing on his people in the early morning and would send out groups at the start of the day; a Companion who applied this to his trade prospered.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 957 In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 2