67/123. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5247 — Gentle Manners When Coming Home
The woman should shave her pubic hair, and should comb the hair.
Travel Etiquette Hadith: Return Home With Patience and Care
Sahih Bukhari : 5247
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5247
حَدَّثَنِي يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا سَيَّارٌ، عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي غَزْوَةٍ، فَلَمَّا قَفَلْنَا كُنَّا قَرِيبًا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ تَعَجَّلْتُ عَلَى بَعِيرٍ لِي قَطُوفٍ، فَلَحِقَنِي رَاكِبٌ مِنْ خَلْفِي فَنَخَسَ بَعِيرِي بِعَنَزَةٍ كَانَتْ مَعَهُ، فَسَارَ بَعِيرِي كَأَحْسَنِ مَا أَنْتَ رَاءٍ مِنَ الإِبِلِ، فَالْتَفَتُّ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي حَدِيثُ عَهْدٍ بِعُرْسٍ. قَالَ " أَتَزَوَّجْتَ ". قُلْتُ نَعَمْ. قَالَ " أَبِكْرًا أَمْ ثَيِّبًا ". قَالَ قُلْتُ بَلْ ثَيِّبًا. قَالَ " فَهَلاَّ بِكْرًا تُلاَعِبُهَا وَتُلاَعِبُكَ ". قَالَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا ذَهَبْنَا لِنَدْخُلَ، فَقَالَ " أَمْهِلُوا حَتَّى تَدْخُلُوا لَيْلاً ـ أَىْ عِشَاءً ـ لِكَىْ تَمْتَشِطَ الشَّعِثَةُ، وَتَسْتَحِدَّ الْمُغِيبَةُ ".
Jabir bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
We were with the Prophet (ﷺ) in Ghazwa, and when we returned and approached Medina, I wanted to hurry while riding a slow camel. A rider overtook me and pricked my camel with a spear which he had, whereupon my camel started running as fast as any other fast camel you may see. I looked back, and behold, the rider was Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I am newly married " He asked, "Have you got married?" I replied, "Yes." He said, "A virgin or a matron?" I replied, "(Not a virgin) but a matron" He said, "Why didn't you marry a young girl so that you could play with her and she with you?" When we reached (near Medina) and were going to enter it, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Wait till you enter your home early in the night so that the lady whose hair is unkempt may comb her hair and that the lady whose husband has been away may shave her pubic hair."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5247In-book reference : Book 67, Hadith 180USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 174
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5247
This travel etiquette hadith gives a detailed picture of the Prophet's care for family life. Jabir was returning from a Ghazwa and wanted to hurry because he was newly married. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) noticed him, helped his slow camel move faster, and asked him about his marriage. Near Medina, the Prophet told the people to wait until early night before entering their homes. The reason was clear: women with unkempt hair could comb their hair, and women whose husbands had been away could prepare themselves. This hadith teaches that a person's return should be kind, not sudden. It also shows the Prophet's personal care for the needs of his companions.
What we learn from this hadith
- Notice and care for the personal situations of others.
- Travelers should return home with good timing and patience.
- Family dignity should be protected after long absence.
- The Prophet gave practical advice with warmth and concern.
