Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 176

Desirability of returning Home by Day

باب استحباب القدوم على أهله نهاراً وكراهته في الليل لغير حاجة

This short chapter is about the manners of arriving home after being away. The Prophet (peace be upon him) discouraged a traveller from slipping back to his family unannounced at night, and the wisdom is gentle and practical: a sudden night arrival can startle the household, and it leaves no room for them to prepare to receive the one they have missed.

Notice that this is care wrapped in adab. Returning by day, or sending word ahead, protects the dignity and comfort of those at home. The central idea is thoughtfulness: even our homecoming is an act of consideration for others, not only relief for ourselves.

Hadith 985

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن جابر رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏إذا أطال أحدكم الغيبة فلا يطرقن أهله ليلاً‏" ‏‏ وفي رواية أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نهى أن يطرق الرجل أهله ليلاً‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When one of you stays away (from his family) for a long period of time, let him not surprise his family by night." In another narration, Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prohibited us from coming back to our family at night. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

After a long absence the Prophet discouraged a traveller from surprising his family by arriving unannounced at night.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 985 In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 30

Hadith 986

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لا يطرق أهله ليلاً، وكان يأتيهم غدوة أو عشية‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏الطروق‏ ‏ ‏:‏المجيء في الليل‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would not come (back) to his family by night. He used to come in the morning or in the evening (before dark). [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet himself would not return to his family at night, coming instead in the morning or before dark, out of consideration for the household.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 986 In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 31