Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 27, Number 25:
Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Whenever Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) left for Mecca, he used to pray in the mosque of Ash-Shajra, and when he returned (to Medina), he used to pray in the middle of the valley of Dhul-Hulaifa and used to pass the night there till morning.
Volume 3, Book 27, Number 26:
Narrated Anas (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) never returned to his family from a journey at night.
Volume 3, Book 27, Number 27:
Narrated Jabir (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) forbade going to one's family at night (on arrival from a journey).
It's Sunnah to return home after travel during the day. There can be various reasons why Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) chose to do so. I'll mention what I understand of them..
- Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) never showed up at his home unannounced. He would always inform the wife(/ves) about his arrival so they could ready themselves for him, and not be caught unawares.
- People usually sleep at night. Or at least they used to! Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) wouldn't like to disturb his wives at night, troubling them to stay up, get ready and receive him, and serve him food etc. He was very considerate, you see.
