Points Drawn from the ḥadith
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The ḥadith offers noble Prophetic instruction on how a wife should meet her husband and the state in which he ought to find her. When a husband has been away, a wife may neglect her appearance: her hair may be unkempt and she may pay little attention to personal cleanliness. She dislikes being taken unawares in such a condition and prefers to prepare for his arrival in the best possible manner. Therefore, when the Prophet ﷺ and the fighters who were with him approached Madinah and news of their nearness had reached the city, he instructed them not to enter their homes until their wives had had time to ready themselves, so that they might receive their long-absent husbands in a fitting way.
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This gracious and wise guidance, in addition to the physical pleasure it affords both spouses, preserves noble companionship and perfect harmony. Whenever each spouse sees in the other what pleases and delights, desire increases and love grows, and marital life is prolonged in happiness and contentment. To that end, the Lawgiver has permitted women to wear attire forbidden to men—silk garments and jewelry of gold and silver.
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It is preferable for a husband who has been away to inform his family of the exact time, day or night, at which he will arrive. Praise be to Allah, modern means of communication have made this easy: by telephone and other devices he can specify the very hour of his return.
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These Prophetic etiquettes foster good companionship, take circumstances into account, and demonstrate attentiveness, thereby increasing love and mutual affection.
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The two narrations appear, on the surface, to be at odds. Ibn Ḥajar reconciled them in Fatḥ al-Bārī, explaining that the permission to enter at night applies to one who has already notified his family of his return and allowed them time to prepare, whereas the prohibition concerns the one who has not done so.