Inviting to a meal (78)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Inviting people to a meal upon returning from a journey

78.)  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) used to slaughter a camel or cow upon returning to Madina Tayyibah.

[Hazrat Jaabir Ibn Abdullah (RA) - Sahih Bukhari]

-       Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) also used to abstain from fasting after returning from a journey, so that he could have meals with those who came to visit him.

[Sahih Bukhari]

-      It is Sunnah to invite family members and associates to a meal after returning from a long period of absence such as Hajj, etc. This should not be done for the sake of name and fame. In actual fact, the invitation is given to express the happiness and joy of returning safely to one’s family.

-       This invitation, in the terminology of the Jurists, is called Naqi`ah.

-       Allamah Tibi (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) has written that a person should invite people to a meal according to his capacity, upon returning from a journey.

-       Mullah Ali Qaari (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) has also written that it is a Sunnah to do so.

-    Hafez Ibn Hajar (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) has written that the pious predecessors have regarded the above action to be mustahab.

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Receiving Travellers (77)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

To receive travellers upon their return

77.)  Sayyidina Saa`ib Ibn Yazid (RA) says : “We went till Thaniyyatul Wada with the rest of the children, in order to receive and welcome Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam).”

[Sahih Bukhari]

Note : When departing for a journey, it is the duty of the traveller to meet his family, companions, and others. 

However, it is their obligation to go and meet him when he returns. This etiquette is deduced from the practice of Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) and the Sahabah (RA).

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Greeting and embracing (75 / 76)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Greeting and embracing upon return

   75.)  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said: “When two Muslims meet and shake hands, their sins are wiped away even before they part ways.”

[Hazrat Bara` Ibn Aazib (RA) - Sunan Abu Dawud]

Note: The Islamic term for a handshake is ‘musafaha’ and the term for embracing is ‘mu`aanaqah’.

76.)  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said : “When a Muslim meets another Muslim, and then takes his hand and clasps it and makes musafaha, their sins are shed like the leaves of  a tree.”

[Hazrat Huzayfah (RA) ]

-      Hazrat Anas Ibn Maalik (RA) narrates: “When the Sahabah  met one another, they would make musafahah and when any one of them returned from a journey, they would embrace one another.”

-        Hazrat Ja`far Ibn Abi Taalib (RA) narrates what when he returned from Abyssinia, Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) met him and embraced him.

-    Hazrat Ayesha (RA) narrates that when Sayyidina Zayd Ibn Harithah (RA) returned to Madina Tayyibah, Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) was at her home. Zayd (RA) came and knocked at the door. Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) rushed towards him, dragging his sheet along whilst his upper body was bare, and embraced him. Sayyidah Ayesha (RA) says: ‘I never saw Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) without his upper cloth before that day nor after it.”

[Mishkaat / Tirmizi]

Note: In the light of the above, it is Sunnah to make Musafahah and Mu`aanaqah with travelers upon their return.

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Meeting the Dearest (73 / 74)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Meeting the nearest and dearest first

73.)  When Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) returned from journey, he would initially perform two rakaats of Salaah. Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) would thereafter visit the home of [his daughter), Sayyidah Faatima Az-Zahra (RA), before visiting any of his wives.

[Hazrat Abu Tha`laba (RA) ]

-        Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) was extremely fond of his daughter, Hazrat Faatima (RA) and she, of him. This is why Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) visited her first. Sayyidah Faatima’s (RA) home was the nearest to the home of Sayyidah Ayesha (RA). Hence meeting her first was convenient as well.

-      It should be noted that Sayyidah Khadija (RA), the dearest wife of Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam), had already passed away, and Sayyidah Faatima (RA) was born from that special bond.

-     If such a situation applies to a person, that his wife and his married daughter live in the same town, he could, for the sake of following the Sunnah, follow the above procedure.

Meeting the nearest and dearest last, when departing

74.)  When Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) was leaving for any journey, he would meet Sayyidah Fathima (RA) last, and upon arrival, Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) would meet her first.

[Sayyidina Thawbaan (RA)]

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Meeting the Children (72)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Meeting the children upon returning

72.)  Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Ja`far (RA) narrates that when Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) returned from a journey, he used to be received by the children of his household.

He says: ‘Once when Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) returned, somebody hurriedly took me to receive him, and (being the first child that was met), Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) seated me in front of him. Thereafter, one of Sayyida Faatima’s (RA) children were brought and he was placed behind Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam). In this manner, the three of us entered Madina Tayyibah seated upon one animal.

[Sahih Muslim / Mishkaat]

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Salaah on return home (69 - 71)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Performing Salaah as soon as one returns

69.)  Hazrat Ali (RA) narrates that when Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) returned from a journey, he would perform two rakaats of Salaah.

To visit the Masjid before going home

70.)  If Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) returned from a journey during the day, he [Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam] would proceed to the Masjid and perform two rakaats of Salaah.

[Hazrat Ka`b Ibn Maalik (RA)  - Sahih Bukhari]

71.)  Sayyidina Jaabir (RA) narrates: “I accompanied Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) on a journey. When we returned to Madina [Tayyiba], Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said to me: ‘Go to the Masjid and perform two rakaats of Salaah.’”

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Rushing to return home (67 / 68)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Rushing to return home

67.)  When Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) was returning home from a journey, he would say : ‘I am hurrying to get back to Madinah. Whoever else is in a hurry to get back, can accompany me.’

[Sayyidina Abu Humayd (RA) - Sahih Bukhari]

68.)  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said : “Traveling is a fraction of punishment. It prevents one from one’s normal routine of sleeping, eating, and drinking. Thus, if any one accomplishes the object of his travel, he should hasten back to his home.”

[Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA)  - Sahih Bukhari]

-      Hazrat Ayesha (RA) says: “When anyone has completed Hajj, he should hasten in returning home, as this is more rewarding.” [Bayhaqi]

-      Travels should not be prolonged unduly. When the purpose of the journey is accomplished, one should hasten back home, which is the place of comfort.

 Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Salaah before resuming the journey (66)

Bismihi Ta’ala

 Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Performing two rakaats of Salaah

before resuming the journey

66.)  Hazrat Anas Ibn Maalik (RA) narrates that if Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) camped at any spot during the journey, he would perform two rakaats of Salaah before resuming the journey.

Note : If a person stops at any area during his journey, it is Sunnah to perform two Rakaats of Salaah before resuming the journey.

        Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]