Written by: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri
Praying Two Rak'ahs in the Mosque Before Going Home After Returning from a Journey
During life’s journey, a person undertakes many travels. The guidance from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in this regard is to perform two Rak'ahs in the mosque before heading home after returning from a journey. This is a forgotten Sunnah, and many people are unaware of it. It is imperative to revive this beloved Sunnah, as illustrated:
➊ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ka'b bin Malik (RA):“Whenever the Prophet (PBUH) returned from a journey, he would start with the mosque and pray two Rak'ahs in it.”(Sahih Bukhari: 3088, Sahih Muslim: 716)
In another narration:“Then he would sit in it.” (Muslim: 716)
Hafiz Nawawi (631 - 676 AH) writes under a hadith:"These Ahadith provide evidence for the recommendation of praying two Rak'ahs for one returning from a journey, specifically in the mosque. These prayers are intended for the return from a journey, not as a greeting to the mosque. The aforementioned Ahadith are explicit on this point." (Sharh Muslim by Nawawi: 248/1)
The leader of the believers in hadith, Faqih al-Ummah Imam Bukhari (RA) has established a chapter on this hadith titled "The Prayer When Returning from a Journey."
➋ Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) says:“The Prophet (PBUH) bought a camel from me. When he arrived in Madinah, he ordered me to go to the mosque and pray two Rak'ahs.”(Sahih Bukhari: 443, Sahih Muslim: 715, the wording is his)
➌ Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (RA) narrates:"When the Prophet (PBUH) returned from Hajj, he entered Madinah and made his camel kneel at the door of his mosque, then entered it and prayed two Rak'ahs, and then he went home."Ibn Umar's (RA) student "Nafi" states that Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (RA) also followed this practice.(Musnad Imam Ahmad: 129/2, Sunan Abi Dawood: 2782, and its chain is authentic)
Benefit:
Abu Salih says:“Sayyiduna Uthman (RA) would pray two Rak'ahs when he returned from a journey.”(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 82/2, and its chain is good if the hearing of Abu Salih from Uthman is proven, and he himself is truthful and hasan in hadith. Al-Dhahabi said about him: ‘Thiqah’ [Mizan al-I'tidal: 539/4])
In another narration, it is also confirmed from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (RA) to pray two Rak'ahs in the mosque upon returning from a journey.(Fadhail as-Salah 'ala an-Nabi by Imam Isma'il bin Ishaq al-Qadi: 99, and its chain is authentic)
Action No. 2:
Praying When Leaving and Entering the House
➊ Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA) narrates:“When you enter your house, pray two Rak'ahs to protect you from evil entrance, and when you leave your house, pray two Rak'ahs to protect you from evil exit.”(Kashf al-Astar: 746, and its chain is authentic)Hafiz Haithami (RA) says:“Its narrators are trustworthy.” (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 283/2-284)
➋ Musa bin Abi Musa al-Ash'ari (RA) narrates:“Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) returned from a journey and prayed two Rak'ahs on a mat in his house.”(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 82/2, and its chain is hasan)
Action No. 3:
Shahr bin Hawshab narrates that he heard Umm Salama (RA) saying:“Sayyida Fatima (RA) came to the Prophet (PBUH) complaining about the work, saying, ‘O Allah’s Messenger, I swear by Allah, my hands have blisters due to grinding, kneading, and baking.’ The Prophet (PBUH) said to her, ‘If Allah has written something for you, you will receive it. Shall I guide you to something better than a servant? When you go to bed, say Subhan Allah (33 times), Alhamdulillah (33 times), and Allahu Akbar (34 times). This is a complete reward better than a servant. After Fajr and Maghrib prayers, recite ten times:
(There is no deity except Allah, He is One, He has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise, He gives life and causes death, and He is over all things competent.)
Ten good deeds will be written for each recitation, ten sins will be erased, and the reward of freeing one slave from the descendants of Ismail will be given. No sin other than shirk can harm you.’
This will protect you from every evil until morning.”(Musnad Imam Ahmad: 298/6, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Tabarani: 339/23, and its chain is hasan)
Hafiz Haithami (RA) says:“Its chain is hasan.” (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 108/1, 122)The narrator Shahr bin Hawshab was authenticated by Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Imam Yahya bin Ma'in, Imam Abu Zur'ah, Imam Ajli, Imam Bukhari, Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi, Imam Yaqub bin Shaybah, Imam Yaqub bin Sufyan al-Fasawi, and the majority. Khateeb Baghdadi [Mawdi' al-Awham bayn al-Jam' wa al-Tafreeq: 360/1] and the muhaddith al-Mu’ammal bin Ahmad [Fawa'id al-Mu’ammal: 46] praised its chain and authenticated it. This is hasan in hadith. Hafiz al-Dhahabi (RA) at the beginning of its biography wrote (صح), which means according to him, the criticism is rejected and the authentication is preferred. Hafiz Ibn al-Mulqin and Hafiz Ibn Hajar (RA) write: (صح) and his terminology means the preference is for authentication.
“(صح) is the terminology of al-Dhahabi, which means the preference is for the authenticity of the narrator.” (Al-Badr al-Muneer by Ibn al-Mulqin: 608/1, Lisan al-Mizan by Ibn Hajar: 159/2, biography of Harith bin Muhammad bin Abi Usama)
Regarding this, Hafiz al-Dhahabi (RA) writes:“The man is not denied for honesty and knowledge, and the use of his hadith is preferred.” (Siyar A'lam al-Nubala: 378/4)
Hafiz Haithami (RA) says about this narrator:“And his hadith is hasan.” (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 108/10)He also says:“The correct view is that they are both trustworthy and the criticism against them is not valid.” (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 222/1)
Action No. 4:
It is narrated from the Companion of the Prophet, Muslim bin Harith al-Taymi (RA), that the Prophet (PBUH) whispered to him: “When you finish Maghrib prayer, recite this supplication seven times:
“O Allah, protect me from the Fire.”If you die that night, you will be protected from the Fire. When you finish Fajr prayer, recite the same supplication, and if you die that day, you will be protected from the Fire.”(Sunan Abi Dawood: 5079, and its chain is hasan)
Imam Ibn Hibban (RA) declared this hadith “authentic.” (2346 - Al-Mawaarid)Hafiz Ibn Hajar (RA) declared it “hasan.” (Nata'ij al-Afkar: 326/2)
The narrator Harith bin Muslim was declared “unknown” by Imam Darqutni (RA), while Imam Ibn Hibban (RA) and Hafiz Haithami (RA) declared him “trustworthy.” (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 99/8)
There is no detailed criticism against him. There is a difference of opinion about his being a Companion, so this is “hasan in hadith.” Hafiz Ibn Hajar (RA) states a principle:“As for her condition, it has been mentioned among the Companions, even if it is not proven that she was a Companion. So someone like her is not asked about her condition.” (Al-Talkhees al-Habeer: 74/1)
According to this principle, the integrity of Harith bin Muslim is established, so this is “hasan in hadith.”
Additional Commands Regarding Prayer
Action No. 1:Praying Two Rak'ahs in the Mosque Before Going Home After Returning from a Journey
During life’s journey, a person undertakes many travels. The guidance from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in this regard is to perform two Rak'ahs in the mosque before heading home after returning from a journey. This is a forgotten Sunnah, and many people are unaware of it. It is imperative to revive this beloved Sunnah, as illustrated:
➊ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ka'b bin Malik (RA):“Whenever the Prophet (PBUH) returned from a journey, he would start with the mosque and pray two Rak'ahs in it.”(Sahih Bukhari: 3088, Sahih Muslim: 716)
In another narration:“Then he would sit in it.” (Muslim: 716)
Hafiz Nawawi (631 - 676 AH) writes under a hadith:"These Ahadith provide evidence for the recommendation of praying two Rak'ahs for one returning from a journey, specifically in the mosque. These prayers are intended for the return from a journey, not as a greeting to the mosque. The aforementioned Ahadith are explicit on this point." (Sharh Muslim by Nawawi: 248/1)
The leader of the believers in hadith, Faqih al-Ummah Imam Bukhari (RA) has established a chapter on this hadith titled "The Prayer When Returning from a Journey."
➋ Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) says:“The Prophet (PBUH) bought a camel from me. When he arrived in Madinah, he ordered me to go to the mosque and pray two Rak'ahs.”(Sahih Bukhari: 443, Sahih Muslim: 715, the wording is his)
➌ Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (RA) narrates:"When the Prophet (PBUH) returned from Hajj, he entered Madinah and made his camel kneel at the door of his mosque, then entered it and prayed two Rak'ahs, and then he went home."Ibn Umar's (RA) student "Nafi" states that Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (RA) also followed this practice.(Musnad Imam Ahmad: 129/2, Sunan Abi Dawood: 2782, and its chain is authentic)
Benefit:
Abu Salih says:“Sayyiduna Uthman (RA) would pray two Rak'ahs when he returned from a journey.”(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 82/2, and its chain is good if the hearing of Abu Salih from Uthman is proven, and he himself is truthful and hasan in hadith. Al-Dhahabi said about him: ‘Thiqah’ [Mizan al-I'tidal: 539/4])
In another narration, it is also confirmed from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (RA) to pray two Rak'ahs in the mosque upon returning from a journey.(Fadhail as-Salah 'ala an-Nabi by Imam Isma'il bin Ishaq al-Qadi: 99, and its chain is authentic)
Action No. 2:
Praying When Leaving and Entering the House
➊ Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA) narrates:“When you enter your house, pray two Rak'ahs to protect you from evil entrance, and when you leave your house, pray two Rak'ahs to protect you from evil exit.”(Kashf al-Astar: 746, and its chain is authentic)Hafiz Haithami (RA) says:“Its narrators are trustworthy.” (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 283/2-284)
➋ Musa bin Abi Musa al-Ash'ari (RA) narrates:“Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) returned from a journey and prayed two Rak'ahs on a mat in his house.”(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 82/2, and its chain is hasan)
Action No. 3:
Shahr bin Hawshab narrates that he heard Umm Salama (RA) saying:“Sayyida Fatima (RA) came to the Prophet (PBUH) complaining about the work, saying, ‘O Allah’s Messenger, I swear by Allah, my hands have blisters due to grinding, kneading, and baking.’ The Prophet (PBUH) said to her, ‘If Allah has written something for you, you will receive it. Shall I guide you to something better than a servant? When you go to bed, say Subhan Allah (33 times), Alhamdulillah (33 times), and Allahu Akbar (34 times). This is a complete reward better than a servant. After Fajr and Maghrib prayers, recite ten times:
لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، يحيي ويميت، بيده الخير، وهو على كل شيء قدير.
(There is no deity except Allah, He is One, He has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise, He gives life and causes death, and He is over all things competent.)
Ten good deeds will be written for each recitation, ten sins will be erased, and the reward of freeing one slave from the descendants of Ismail will be given. No sin other than shirk can harm you.’
This will protect you from every evil until morning.”(Musnad Imam Ahmad: 298/6, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Tabarani: 339/23, and its chain is hasan)
Hafiz Haithami (RA) says:“Its chain is hasan.” (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 108/1, 122)The narrator Shahr bin Hawshab was authenticated by Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Imam Yahya bin Ma'in, Imam Abu Zur'ah, Imam Ajli, Imam Bukhari, Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi, Imam Yaqub bin Shaybah, Imam Yaqub bin Sufyan al-Fasawi, and the majority. Khateeb Baghdadi [Mawdi' al-Awham bayn al-Jam' wa al-Tafreeq: 360/1] and the muhaddith al-Mu’ammal bin Ahmad [Fawa'id al-Mu’ammal: 46] praised its chain and authenticated it. This is hasan in hadith. Hafiz al-Dhahabi (RA) at the beginning of its biography wrote (صح), which means according to him, the criticism is rejected and the authentication is preferred. Hafiz Ibn al-Mulqin and Hafiz Ibn Hajar (RA) write: (صح) and his terminology means the preference is for authentication.
“(صح) is the terminology of al-Dhahabi, which means the preference is for the authenticity of the narrator.” (Al-Badr al-Muneer by Ibn al-Mulqin: 608/1, Lisan al-Mizan by Ibn Hajar: 159/2, biography of Harith bin Muhammad bin Abi Usama)
Regarding this, Hafiz al-Dhahabi (RA) writes:“The man is not denied for honesty and knowledge, and the use of his hadith is preferred.” (Siyar A'lam al-Nubala: 378/4)
Hafiz Haithami (RA) says about this narrator:“And his hadith is hasan.” (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 108/10)He also says:“The correct view is that they are both trustworthy and the criticism against them is not valid.” (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 222/1)
Action No. 4:
It is narrated from the Companion of the Prophet, Muslim bin Harith al-Taymi (RA), that the Prophet (PBUH) whispered to him: “When you finish Maghrib prayer, recite this supplication seven times:
اللهم أجرني من النار.
“O Allah, protect me from the Fire.”If you die that night, you will be protected from the Fire. When you finish Fajr prayer, recite the same supplication, and if you die that day, you will be protected from the Fire.”(Sunan Abi Dawood: 5079, and its chain is hasan)
Imam Ibn Hibban (RA) declared this hadith “authentic.” (2346 - Al-Mawaarid)Hafiz Ibn Hajar (RA) declared it “hasan.” (Nata'ij al-Afkar: 326/2)
The narrator Harith bin Muslim was declared “unknown” by Imam Darqutni (RA), while Imam Ibn Hibban (RA) and Hafiz Haithami (RA) declared him “trustworthy.” (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 99/8)
There is no detailed criticism against him. There is a difference of opinion about his being a Companion, so this is “hasan in hadith.” Hafiz Ibn Hajar (RA) states a principle:“As for her condition, it has been mentioned among the Companions, even if it is not proven that she was a Companion. So someone like her is not asked about her condition.” (Al-Talkhees al-Habeer: 74/1)
According to this principle, the integrity of Harith bin Muslim is established, so this is “hasan in hadith.”