Man must not come to his family like (an unexpected) night visitor doubting their fidelity
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "When one of you stays away (from his family) for a long period of time, let him not surprise his family by night." In another narration, Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Alah be upon him) prohibited us from coming back to our family at night.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
It has been narrated on the authority of Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
If one of you comes (back from a journey) at night. he should not enter his house as a night visitor (but should wait) until a woman whose husband has been away from house has removed the hair from her private parts and a woman with dishevelled hair has combed her hair.
Sahih Muslim
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade that a man should come to his family like (an unexpected) night visitor doubting their fidelity and spying into their lapses.
The Islamic legislation is an integrated approach to the virtuous life, it did not leave a small or large thing which people need but it included it in a manifest way.
This wise legislation, in particular, introduced the characteristics of the Muslim, pointing to what is good for him, his family and society as a whole. It organized for him the scientific and moral behaviors.
The people of the Book and the polytheists amazed of the comprehensiveness of this legislation, its accuracy, and its relationship to the ethics. To the extent that one of the infidels said to Salman al-Farsi may Allah be pleased with him: I see that your friend even teaches you about the excrement.!!
Inspite of the simplicity and briefness of this commandment, it dealt with something that people do not care about and do not pay attention to even though it is very important.
The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: " When one of you stays away (from his family) for a long period of time " it indicates that this commandment is confined for this one, with the exeption of the one who is expected to come at any moment or that his family is waiting for his arrival at night or day. The wife knows the time when he often comes, So that the people of the house will be able to meet him in the way he likes and avoids what displeases him.
As for he who has been away from house for a long time, he shall not came to his house suddenly, especially if it is at night. This disturbs them and reduces their pleasure because of seeing him, and hinders them from having a good meeting with him. They will be embaraced if he saw what he dislikes or that his wife is untidy or not in a good mode.
From this we know that informing the family of arriving during the day is also desirable.
There is no objection for he who has been away from his house for a long time to return suddenly if there is a pressing need.
