Etiquette and Sunnahs of Returning from a Journey in Islam: A Comprehensive Guide

The Essential Etiquettes and Sunnahs to Follow When Returning from a Journey in Islam

Etiquette and Rules for Returning from a Journey

When we return from any long journey, the joy of reuniting with our family is memorable, but in this regard, many of the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) are often forgotten. Yes, when returning from Hajj or Umrah, some of the Sunnahs are remembered, but even then, we tend to fall into excess or neglect. Let’s briefly discuss the etiquettes of returning from a journey according to authentic Hadiths, so that we can revive these Sunnahs and avoid extremes.

First and foremost, it should be remembered that during a journey, one faces hardships and difficulties. Therefore, it is important that the path be safe, and during travel, one should seek refuge from harm and pray to Allah for ease. As narrated by Abdullah bin Sarjas (رضي الله عنه):

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: “إِذَا سَافَرَ يَتَعَوَّذُ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ، وَالْحَوْرِ بَعْدَ الْكَوْنِ، وَدَعْوَةِ الْمَظْلُومِ، وَسُوءِ الْمَنْظَرِ فِي الْأَهْلِ وَالْمَالِ،”(صحيح مسلم:1343)
Translation: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) traveled, he sought refuge from the difficulties of travel, from a sorrowful return, from a bad end after goodness, and from seeing bad things concerning his family and wealth.

Due to the journey, on one side the traveler may face hardships, and on the other side, his family and wealth may face difficulties. Therefore, at the start of the journey, the Prophet (ﷺ) would pray to Allah for safety in all these matters.

1. First Etiquette of Returning from a Journey:

The first etiquette upon returning is to return home immediately after completing the purpose of the journey, without any delay. This was the practice of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

السفر قطعة من العذاب يمنع احدكم نومه، وطعامه، وشرابه، فإذا قضى احدكم نهمته، فليعجل إلى اهله.(صحيح البخاري:3001)
Translation: Travel is a piece of punishment; it prevents one’s sleep, food, and drink. So, when one has fulfilled the purpose of his journey, he should hurry back to his family.

2. Second Etiquette of Returning from a Journey:

The second etiquette is to make the same dua upon returning that you made at the beginning of the journey, with a few additional words. Therefore, upon returning from the journey, recite the following supplication:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ،
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ * وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ،
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا البِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى، اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَليفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ،
آيِبُونَ، تائِبُونَ، عَابِدُونَ، لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ.(صحيح مسلم:1342)
Translation: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
Glory be to Him who made this animal subservient to us, and we could not have done it by ourselves. And to our Lord is our return.
O Allah! We ask You for righteousness and piety in this journey, and for actions that please You. O Allah! Make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance. O Allah! You are the Companion on the journey, and the Guardian of our family. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, from sorrowful return, from bad outcomes in wealth and family.
We are returning, repenting, worshiping, and praising our Lord.

3. Third Etiquette of Returning from a Journey:

The third etiquette is not to suddenly arrive home at night without informing your family. As narrated by Jabir (رضي الله عنه), the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

إِذَا قَدِمَ أَحَدُكُمْ لَيْلًا، فَلَا يَأْتِيَنَّ أَهْلَهُ طُرُوقًا حَتَّى تَسْتَحِدَّ الْمُغِيبَةُ وَتَمْتَشِطَ الشَّعِثَةُ.(صحيح مسلم:715)
Translation: When one of you arrives at night, he should not enter his home suddenly (but wait) until the woman whose husband was away has purified herself, and the one whose hair is unkempt has combed her hair.

In today’s time, with social media, updates are continuously shared between the traveler and their family, so there is no harm in arriving at any time.

Additional Sunnahs of the Prophet (ﷺ) When Returning from a Journey

1. Visiting the Mosque First
   When the Prophet (ﷺ) returned from a journey, he would not go directly to his family but would first visit the mosque and perform two Rak’ahs of prayer there. As narrated by Ka’b ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه):

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَدِمَ مِنْ سَفَرٍ بَدَأَ بِالْمَسْجِدِ فَرَكَعَ فِيهِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ جَلَسَ لِلنَّاسِ(ابوداؤد:2773، صححہ البانی)
Translation: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) returned from a journey, he would first go to the mosque and perform two Rak’ahs in it, then sit down to meet the people.

2. Showing Love to Children
   When returning from a journey, children, both from one’s own family and the neighborhood, eagerly await the traveler’s return. It is recommended to show love and affection to these children. Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:

لَمَّا قَدِمَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَكَّةَ اسْتَقْبَلَهُ أُغَيْلِمَةُ بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَحَمَلَ وَاحِدًا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَالْآخَرَ خَلْفَهُ(صحيح البخاري:5965)
Translation: When the Prophet (ﷺ) entered Makkah (on the occasion of its conquest), the children of Banu Abd al-Muttalib (who were in Makkah) came to welcome him. Out of love, he placed one child in front of him and another behind him.

3. Greeting with a Hug
   It was the practice of the Prophet’s companions that when they met each other, they would greet with Salaam and shake hands. When returning from a journey, they would embrace each other. Thus, one of the Sunnahs of returning from a long journey is to hug those who come to greet you. Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrated:

كان أَصْحابُ النبيِّ إذا تَلاقَوْا تَصافَحُوا ، وإذا قَدِمُوا من سفرٍ تَعَانَقُوا.(صحيح الترغيب:2719)
Translation: The companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) would shake hands when meeting, and when they returned from a journey, they would embrace each other.

4. Offering a Meal to the People
   When returning from the Battle of Tabuk or the expedition of Dhāt al-Riqā‘, the Prophet (ﷺ) slaughtered an animal and provided food to his companions. Jabir bin Abdullah (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:

ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لما قدم المدينة نحر جزورا او بقرة(صحيح البخاري:3089)
Translation: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to Madinah (after the Battle of Tabuk or Dhāt al-Riqā‘), he slaughtered a camel or a cow.

In light of this Hadith, scholars state that it is a Sunnah to invite people to a meal upon returning from a journey. Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) titled a chapter in his book “باب الطَّعَامِ عِنْدَ الْقُدُومِ” (The Chapter on Offering Food When Returning from a Journey). Similarly, Imam Abu Dawood (رحمه الله) titled a chapter “باب الإِطْعَامِ عِنْدَ الْقُدُومِ مِنَ السَّفَرِ” (The Chapter on Offering Food Upon Returning from a Journey).

Therefore, if a traveler has the means to offer a meal, they can invite close people for a modest gathering, avoiding excess and extravagance. However, if one is unable to provide a meal, offering small gifts to family members and visitors as a gesture of affection is recommended. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

تَهادُوا تَحابُّوا(صحيح الأدب المفرد:462)
Translation: Give each other gifts, as this increases mutual love.

Gifts do not need to be expensive or extravagant; something simple like a few candies for the children, a date, or even a sip of Zamzam water for those returning from Hajj or Umrah will suffice. Upon meeting someone returning from Hajj or Umrah, one should pray for the acceptance of their worship.

Advice for Those Returning from Hajj or Umrah

To those who are blessed to return from Hajj or Umrah, I advise you to be thankful to Allah for the opportunity to perform these great acts of worship. You have seen His House with your own eyes and circled it in Tawaf. At this moment, it is essential to pray to Allah with gratitude, asking, “O Allah, accept my Hajj and Umrah.” It is narrated that a sincere Hajj or Umrah purifies one from all sins, just like the day they were born. Strive to die in this pure state, free from sins.

What should you do?

1. Avoid futile and frivolous activities upon returning from Hajj or Umrah, such as unnecessary home decorations, extravagant and ostentatious feasts, etc.
2. Avoid seeking fame or recognition. Fame can destroy the reward of acts of worship, even turning a good deed like Hajj into a cause of entering Hell.
3. Just as you performed Hajj and Umrah solely for the sake of Allah, always maintain that purity in your worship throughout life. Continue to call upon Allah alone, never associating partners with Him. May you die in a state of pure Tawheed, and your Hajj will benefit you on the Day of Judgment. Remember that shirk destroys all deeds.
4. Live as a better person. The Prophet (ﷺ) wanted Hajj and Umrah to transform you into a better person. Continue doing good and remain steadfast. Always make the prayer:

يا مُقلِّبَ القلوبِ ثبِّت قَلبي على دينِكَ(صحيح الترمذي:2140)
Translation: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) frequently recited, “O Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm on Your religion.”