One might wonder how Abū Qatādah could have hunted the onager solely for himself and not for his companions, and the objection does have some weight. What resolves it is the recognition that hunting was a beloved pastime among the Arabs, a pursuit passionately enjoyed by their kings and nobles. It is therefore quite plausible that, when Abū Qatādah saw the wild asses, the excitement of the chase gripped him before he ever thought of securing meat for himself and his fellow-travellers.
Etiquette of Visiting
A person who travels to Madinah for worship is instructed to make his purpose the visitation of the Noble Prophetic Mosque and the worship of Allah therein, for it is the second most virtuous mosque and a place where the reward of acts of devotion is multiplied. The proof is the ḥadith related by ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Zubayr, may Allah be pleased with him, in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “One prayer in this mosque of mine is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere, except al-Masjid al-Ḥarām.” Imām Aḥmad recorded this report, and Ibn Ḥibbān graded it authentic.
This—and not the specific visitation of his blessed grave—is the intention prescribed by the Sacred Law, for al-Bukhārī transmitted a ḥadith that explicitly limits the journey to the mosque itself: “Saddle-bags are not to be packed except for three mosques: al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, this mosque of mine, and al-Masjid al-Aqṣā.” Muslim also recorded it. The prohibition of setting out solely to visit his noble grave is by no means a slight to his ﷺ dignity—love of him ranks above love of all else after Allah—but rather an act of obedience to his command. Allah the Exalted has said concerning him: “Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it” (59:7).
When the visitor reaches the Noble Prophetic Mosque, it is recommended that he enter with his right foot first and say, “In the name of Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah.” He then performs two rakʿahs, preferably in the blessed Rawḍah, for the Prophet ﷺ said: “The area between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise.” After praying, he visits the grave of the Messenger ﷺ and the graves of his two Companions, Abū Bakr and ʿUmar, may Allah be pleased with them. He stands facing the grave at the level of the noble countenance, showing reverence and lowering his voice, and he greets the Prophet ﷺ, saying, “Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.” This is based on the report found in the Sunan of Abū Dāwūd from Abū Hurayrah, who said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared: “There is no…"