67/121. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5243 — Returning Home With Care
If a man is away for a long time, he should not enter his house at night.
Hadith About Returning Home at Night After a Journey
Sahih Bukhari : 5243
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5243
حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَارِبُ بْنُ دِثَارٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَكْرَهُ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ الرَّجُلُ أَهْلَهُ طُرُوقًا.
Jabir bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) disliked that one should go to one's family at night (on returning from a journey).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5243In-book reference : Book 67, Hadith 176USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 170
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5243
This hadith about returning home at night teaches care in family life. Jabir ibn Abdullah said that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) disliked a man coming to his family at night after returning from a journey. The text is short, but the message is practical. A sudden arrival late at night can catch the family unready and may cause stress or discomfort. The hadith points to gentleness in how a person returns home, especially after being away. It is not about making family life hard. It is about being thoughtful. A Muslim should not only think, "I have arrived." He should also think about how his arrival affects the people at home.
What we learn from this hadith
- Return to family with thoughtfulness and care.
- Avoid sudden late-night entry after travel when it may disturb the household.
- The Prophet's guidance includes small family manners.
- Good timing can protect comfort and dignity at home.
