إِذَا أَطَالَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْغَيْبَةَ، فَلَا يَطْرُقْ أَهْلَهُ لَيْلًا
Translation: When one of you has been away for a long time, they should not arrive unexpectedly at their family home during the night.
Source: البخاري ومسلم
أَطَالَ ... الْغَيْبَةَ means “was away for a long period,” فَلَا يَطْرُقْ “should not arrive suddenly at night,” and أَهْلَهُ “their household.” لَيْلًا specifies the time.
Arriving without warning late at night after a prolonged absence can disturb family comfort, preparation, and privacy. Advance notice and consideration express the teaching’s practical point. Modern communication often makes this easier; the narration should not be stretched into an unconditional ban on every nighttime return.