Whatever the Prophet did provides the best guidance in all situations. Returning from travel is an occasion that falls outside the normal pattern of life, because travel is a special activity. Even today, with travel being so easy, it still requires special preparations. The return is also special as it puts life back on its normal course. What was the Prophet’s conduct like when he returned from a journey?
Anas ibn Malik reports: “The Prophet never arrived home during the night. He would only come back in the morning or at the approach of the evening.” (Related by Al-Bukahri) This was deliberate. At the time, no contact could be made to inform the people back home of the traveler’s arrival time, so that they would be ready to receive him. Arriving back in the middle of the night, when one’s family are not expecting such arrival, could be troublesome. They would be fast asleep. Waking them up might cause some problems, even though they would be very happy to receive the returning traveler. It would be far better to inform them of one’s arrival so that they would be prepared to welcome him back.
The Prophet’s conduct ensured that. Kaab ibn Malik reports: “The Prophet never returned from a journey except in midmorning. He would start at the mosque where he would offer two rak’ahs of voluntary prayer, then he would sit for a while before going home.” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.) Kaab also reports: “When the Prophet arrived back from a journey, he would start at the mosque where he would offer a voluntary prayer. He would then sit down for whatever time he might, looking into people’s needs and receiving those who came to welcome him back.” (Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawood)
These two Hadiths confirm the procedure the Prophet followed on arrival in Madinah after an absence of several days or several weeks. He would come in midmorning, when everyone back home is active, attending to whatever they needed to do. He would not go home straightaway, because his wives would not be ready as they would not have had information about his arrival. Therefore, he went to the mosque where he would pray and sit for a while. People would come to greet him and welcome him back. Some may have been awaiting his arrival for some purpose or another. He would attend to any question put to him. By this time, his family would have been informed of his arrival and they would be ready to give him a warm welcome.
Another Hadith that is relevant to this subject, even though it speaks of a practice that applied at all occasions, is that reported by Abdullah ibn Busr, one of the Prophet’s companions: “When the Prophet approached a house, he did not approach it facing the door, but from one side. He would then seek permission before entry.” (Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, and Abu Dawood) Another version of this Hadith explains the Prophet’s behavior by adding: “because houses did not have curtains at the door.” What this means is that a person who approaches a house facing the door could see the inside. If the people in the house are not aware that someone is at the door, he may see them in an improper position. The Prophet did not wish this to happen when he approached any house, not even his own. Therefore, he approached houses from one side. He would then raise his voice to announce that he is near the door. This would give a chance to the people inside to get ready to receive him.
We have learned what the Prophet did on arrival back home after having been away for a few days or a few weeks. It is relevant to ask here what did the Prophet do or say on his way back home. A detailed description is given by Ubaydillah ibn Umar who reports: “When the Prophet set on his way back home, after having been away on a military expedition or on pilgrimage or on some other purpose, he would glorify God every time he went up on high ground, saying Allah-u-Akbar, (which means God is Supreme), three times. He would then say: La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ala kulli shay’in qadeer. Ayboon, Tayboon, Abidoon, Sajidoon, Lirabbina Hamidoon. Sadaqa Allah wa’dah, wa nasar abdah, wa hazam al-ahzab wahdah. This prayer may be translated as follows: “There is no deity other than God; He is the One who has no partners; to Him belongs all kingdom and to Him is all praise due; He is the One who has power over everything. Returning we are, having repented; we worship God and prostrate ourselves before Him; and We give all praise to Him alone. God has fulfilled His promise, granting victory to His servant after having single-handedly defeated all the allied forces.”
This is yet another example of how the Prophet glorified God and praised Him in all situations. He always remembered that without God’s help, he would not be able to achieve anything. Therefore, he expressed his gratitude in all situations.