Supplication at the time of returning Home and on seeing one's Hometown

باب ما يقول إذا رجع وإذا رأى بلدته

Here we learn what to say as the journey ends and home comes into view. The Prophet (peace be upon him) repeated a beautiful formula that frames the safe return as more than good fortune: it is a turning back to Allah in repentance, worship, and praise.

The Arabic words carry the heart of it. Ayibuna means we are returning, ta'ibuna we are repenting, 'abiduna we are worshipping, and li-Rabbina hamidun we are praising our Lord. Notice how a simple homecoming becomes a moment of gratitude and renewed devotion rather than mere arrival.

Hadith 987

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ أقبلنا مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، حتي إذ كنا بظهر المدينة، قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏آيبون، تائبون ، عابدون ، لربنا حامدون‏" ‏ فلم يزل يقول ذلك حتي قدمنا المدينة، ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

We returned with the Prophet (ﷺ) from a journey; and when we entered the suburbs of Al- Madinah, he (ﷺ) said: "Ayibuna, ta'ibuna, 'abiduna, li-Rabbina hamidun (We are returning in safety, turning to our Rubb, worshipping Him and praising Him)." He (ﷺ) continued repeating these words till we entered Al-Madinah. [Muslim].

In plain words

As Medina came into view on the way home, the Prophet repeated that they were returning safely, repenting, worshipping, and praising their Lord, turning the homecoming into a moment of gratitude.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 987 In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 32