for this is the saying of Allah, the Exalted: “It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have any choice in their affair.” [al-Ahzab 33:36] That is, they accept it with the fullest conviction.

Likewise, when Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, was asked, “Why does a menstruating woman make up the fasts but not the prayers?” she replied: “This used to happen to us, and we were commanded to make up the fasts, but we were not commanded to make up the prayers.” (1) She mentioned nothing beyond this, because the believer’s words and state are: “We hear and we obey.”

In summary, with respect to us, the wisdom is to follow the Messenger ﷺ. As for the Prophet’s ﷺ own action, the scholars, may Allah have mercy on them, differed concerning its wisdom and underlying reason:

Some scholars said that the reason is to make this rite manifest in the town’s marketplaces. If people come by one route in groups and individually, while abandoning the other route, this rite will not be apparent along the second route, but will be confined to the first. But if they set out by one way and return by another, the rite is manifested on both routes.

Other scholars said that there may be poor people along the second route who are not along the first, so that they may be generous toward them and bring them joy. For on the day of Eid, one should be generous to one’s family and brethren, bring them happiness, and provide for them abundantly, because Eid is a day of joy and happiness.

Other scholars said that it is so that both routes—the first and the second—may testify for him, because on the Day of Resurrection the earth will recount its news; that is, it will inform of what—