Hadithcore
Sahih al-Bukhari, 1804
sahih

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Traveling is a kind of torture as it prevents one from eating, drinking and sleeping properly. So, when one's needs are fulfilled, one should return quickly to one's family."

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ سُمَىٍّ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏

‏ السَّفَرُ قِطْعَةٌ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ، يَمْنَعُ أَحَدَكُمْ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ وَنَوْمَهُ، فَإِذَا قَضَى نَهْمَتَهُ فَلْيُعَجِّلْ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ ‏

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References2 variants
In-Book Reference
Book 26, Hadith 29
USC-MSA web (English) reference
Vol. 3, Book 27, Hadith 31 (deprecated numbering scheme)
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
The Prophet ﷺ did not omit a single good, whether it be something upright in religion or of this world; except that he ﷺ would always direct others to it and urge them towards it. He ﷺ never left any evil which would harm the believer in his religious or temporal affairs; except that he ﷺ warned them to take heed against it. In this hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah ﷺmentioned that traveling to another land other than the one which he resides in is a type of hardship. What is intended by this reference is a worldly suffering. Then, he ﷺ explained this further with his ﷺ statement: “as it prevents one from eating, drinking, and sleeping,” namely, the completion of the aforementioned, along with the pleasure that comes from it; due to some of the struggles one can face in their travels, such as: the heat, the cold, fear, the separation from family and friends, and the harshness of life. So, the traveller delays his eating and sleeping from their usual and prescribed time - and oftentimes does not receive a sufficient amount or derive the usual pleasure which comes from these necessities of life. Then, the Prophet ﷺadvised the traveller who has fulfilled the need for which he is journeying for and has finished with it; that it is incumbent upon them to hasten and return to their homeland and family; for the sake of curtailing these hardships which will continue on his journey, and to make up for the suffering that afflicted him in the interim - and then obtain, repose, and gentleness with his family thereafter. This was expressed with an avidity, which is the rhetorical purpose that was intended behind it; implying by a mode of expression that traveling for a worldly purpose is akin to a trade-off; leaving aside, however, obligatory travelling, such as the Hajj or a military expedition. The notion that travelling is a form of torment does not prevent it from being beneficial and therapeutic for the vast majority of people; because movement and physical exercise are beneficial, especially for the people of ease and luxury. It's like a bitter medicine that remedies one’s health, even if taking it is disliked. This hadeeth highlights that it is strongly disliked to go abroad away from his family without a need. It urges the traveller to hasten in returning from their travels to their family, especially those who are feared to pass away during his absence. It shows that living with one’s family is an aiding comfort in upholding the interests both in religion and worldly affairs. And lastly, it encourages one to stay where they are; so that their social circles and other groups of people do not miss him, and that the obligatory rights due to their family and close relatives are observed..
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