Were the Companions accustomed to going out for recreation and enjoyment, such as people today going to parks and malls or traveling, or were they preoccupied with more important matters?

Recreation differs according to times, places, and circumstances, and the degree of engaging in it varies among people. Recreation in our time has become an industry in itself. There is no blame upon a Muslim for recreating with what is permissible, and he may be rewarded for it if he considers it an aid to worship and diligence. What is blameworthy is exaggerating in it to the point that it distracts a person from noble matters. Ibn Taymiyyah said: "It is incumbent upon the intelligent person to have four hours: an hour in which he communes with his Lord, an hour in which he holds himself accountable, an hour in which he is alone with his companions who inform him of his faults and speak to him about himself, and an hour in which he enjoys permissible and beautiful pleasures; for in this hour there is assistance for those other hours." Thus, permissible things and beautiful pleasures aid in other matters, and whoever seeks aid in permissible beautiful things for the truth, it is considered among righteous deeds.