Every year, millions of people move simultaneously leaving big cities for villages and hometowns. The roads are congested, the terminals are full, the stations are crowded, the airports are crowded. People are willing to take long journeys, drain their energy, even save for months for one goal: going home.
Homecoming is not just an annual tradition. It is not just a social phenomenon or a flow of vehicles crowding the streets. Behind the suitcases, tickets and long traffic jams, there is something deeper: a longing for family, for parents, for the roots of life. It is a journey of the heart. It is a longing that cannot be measured by distance. There was a mother waiting at the door. There are fathers who are silently counting down the days. There is an old house that holds childhood memories. There is a hometown that always feels different, even though it is simple.
Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
Actions are based on intentions
“Indeed, charity depends on the intention.” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)
So, going home which is intended to renew friendship, make parents happy, improve relationships, and seek Allah’s approval, can be a great charity in His sight.
Return to human nature
Humans are created with the nature to love their place of origin. In fact, when Prophet Adam was sent down to earth, he missed heaven as his place of origin. Longing is part of the human soul. Allah Azza from Jalla said,
O people, you work hard for your Lord, work hard and you will meet Him.
“O people, indeed you are walking towards your Lord in earnest, and you will surely meet Him.” (QS. Al-Insyiqaq: 6)
All life is actually a journey home to God. Homecoming in this world should be a reminder of “going home hereafter”, namely the real return home.
And God Subhanahu Ta’ala remind,
To Allah we belong and to Him we will return
“Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him we return.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 156)
So, don’t let the journey of this world make us forget the journey of the afterlife.
Homecoming and friendship
One of the greatest values in going home is friendship. Many people are busy working all year long, rarely see their family, and rarely even call their parents. Homecoming is a momentum to improve relationships.
Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
Whoever believes in God and the Last Day, let him guard his mercy.
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him continue his friendship.” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)
And he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also said,
Whoever wants to expand his sustenance and expand his inheritance, then he should maintain his ties of friendship.
“Whoever wants to increase his fortune and prolong his life, then he should continue his friendship.” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)
Friendship is not just a formality of shaking hands, but presenting the heart, apologizing sincerely, and repairing relationships that may be broken.
Allah Subhanahu Ta’ala said,
So fear Allah and make peace between you.
“Fear God and repair your relationships.” (QS. Al-Anfal: 1)
Going home becomes a field of reward if you intend to serve your parents and continue your relationship.
Also read: Several Forms of Service to the Elderly
Devotion to parents: The essence of the journey
One of the deepest meanings of going home is the opportunity to meet your parents. Some still have both, some have only one left, and some have lost both. For those who are still given the opportunity, that is a blessing that often only feels great when he is gone.
Allah Azza from Jalla said,
And We commanded humans to do good to their parents
“We have inherited it from humans to do good to their parents.” (QS. Al-Ahqaf: 15)
And also,
And worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and be good to your parents
“Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, and do good to your parents.” (QS. An-Nisa’: 36)
Filial piety to parents is mentioned after the commandment of monotheism. This shows how great and high the position is Birrul Walidain in Islam.
Many people regret it when their parents die. The house felt empty. Mother’s voice could no longer be heard. Dad’s advice is no longer available. The opportunity to kiss hands, listen to stories over and over again, and just sit and have a warm conversation will never come back again.
Therefore, going home is a golden opportunity to give back. Not just physically present, but present with your heart. Sit with them. Listen to stories that may have been repeated many times; because it’s not just a story, it’s the need of their hearts. Kiss their hands with the intention of worship. Speak gentle words that may be simple, but mean a lot.
Because maybe one day, we want to go home, but that opportunity no longer exists.
Safar in Islam: A worthwhile journey
In Islam, traveling is not just moving from one place to another. It is a condition that has its own special features and spiritual value. Homecoming includes going on a journey, and going on a journey has manners, prayers and opportunities for reward.
Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
There are three prayers that will certainly be answered: the prayer of the wronged person, the prayer of the traveler, and the prayer of a father for his child.
“Three prayers Big (granted), there is no doubt in it: the prayer of the wronged, the prayer of the traveler, and the prayer of parents for their children.” (HR. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad)
A traveler’s prayers include prayers that are answered. This shows that travel has a special position before Allah. Going home should be filled with prayer, remembrance and trust, not negligence or just worldly preoccupations.
Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also teaches prayer when riding a vehicle by reading the word of God,
Glory be to Him who gave us this, even though we did not deserve it.
“Glory be to Allah who subdued this vehicle for us, even though we were previously unable to control it.” (QS. Az-Zukhruf: 13)
This verse reminds us that vehicles, safe roads and ease of travel are blessings from Allah that should be grateful for. With the right intentions and maintained etiquette, traveling is not only a physical journey, but also a journey that brings you closer to Allah.
A moral test is on the way
Homecoming is not only about longing and meeting, but also a moral test. It tests your patience, humility and ability to control yourself.
Long traffic jams, fatigue, hot weather, travel costs, even differences of opinion with family, can all provoke emotions. Under such conditions, a person’s character truly shows.
Allah Azza from Jalla said,
And convey good news to those who are patient
“Bring good news to those who are patient.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 155)
Patience on the journey is no small thing. If it is intended for Allah’s sake, it will be rewarded.
Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
A strong person is not someone who attacks, but a strong person is someone who is able to control himself when he is angry.
“Strong people are not those who win a fight, but those who can control themselves when they are angry.” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)
An-Nawawi God bless explained this hadith and said,
This includes suppressing anger and refraining from winning, fighting, and conflict when angry.
“In it there is anger control, self-control when angry because of the desire to retaliate, argue and disagree.” (Sharh An-Nawawi ‘ala Muslim, 16:162)
Homecoming is a test of self-control. Not the loudest and loudest, but the one who is able to control his anger. Not the most responsive, but the one who is able to reduce the ego.
A long journey can be a field of reward if filled with patience and good morals. However, it can also become a field of sin if it is filled with complaints and anger. Therefore, make going home not only a physical journey, but also a mental exercise.
Don’t make going home a place to show off
It’s not uncommon for homecoming to turn into a show of success: a new car, expensive clothes, position, or financial achievements.
In fact, God Azza from Jalla said,
The most noble person in the sight of Allah is the most pious person.
“Indeed, the noblest person among you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most pious.” (QS. Al-Hujurat: 13)
And also,
You are distracted by multiplication
“Bragging has ignored you.” (QS. At-Takatsur: 1)
Glory is not measured by the wealth brought home, but by morals and piety.
Homecoming as reflection
Returning home often takes us back to our childhood. Simple houses, playgrounds, small mosques, roads that used to feel wide.
Allah Azza from Jalla said,
It is Allah who created you from weakness, then made you strong after that weakness.
“Allah created you from a weak state, then made you strong after being weak.” (QS. Ar-Rum: 54)
Homecoming can be a moment reflection: Are we getting closer to God or farther away?
And remember,
Every soul will taste death
“Every soul will surely taste death.” (QS. Ali ‘Imran: 185)
One day, we will go home for good.
Cover
O people who are getting ready to go home…
Straighten your intentions before taking a step.
Make every kilometer of your journey an act of worship.
Fill your travel time with prayer, not complaints.
Approach your family with a humble heart, not with pride.
When your hand kisses your mother’s hand, intend it as devotion.
When you sit and listen to your father’s advice, intend it as obedience.
When you forgive your relatives and friends, intend to cleanse your heart.
Because maybe one day, you want to go home, but the house is empty.
And maybe one day, you will return not as a guest, but as a corpse being delivered.
Homecoming teaches that every journey has an end.
Just as we return to our hometown, we will all return to God.
So, make going home as a reminder to prepare for the biggest homecoming in this life, namely the journey to the afterlife.
May our every step be worth a reward, every longing becomes worship, and every meeting brings blessings.
God bless.
Also read: Homecoming: Tradition or Worship?
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Writer: Gazzeta Raka Putra Setyawan
Article Muslim.or.id
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