Gather your children when darkness spreads, or in the evening (according to Musaddad), for the jinn are abroad and seize them.
Hadith Text & Context
"Gather your children when darkness spreads, or in the evening (according to Musaddad), for the jinn are abroad and seize them."
This narration is recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud 3733 from the book "Drinks (Kitab Al-Ashribah)" and highlights the Prophet's guidance regarding child safety during specific times.
Linguistic Analysis
The phrase "when darkness spreads" (إِذَا أَظْلَمَ) refers to the onset of night after sunset. The variant "in the evening" (عِنْدَ الْعِشَاءِ) indicates the early night period.
"The jinn are abroad" (تَفِرُّ الشَّيَاطِينُ) literally means devils spread out actively during this time, understood as increased spiritual harm and physical dangers.
Juridical Ruling
Scholars classify this as recommended (mustahabb) practice rather than obligatory, showing the Prophet's care for community welfare.
The ruling applies particularly to young children vulnerable to both spiritual influences and physical dangers like animals or accidents in darkness.
Spiritual Dimensions
This hadith acknowledges the unseen world's reality while teaching practical precautions - combining spiritual awareness with worldly care.
It demonstrates Islam's comprehensive approach to protection, addressing both physical and metaphysical threats to children's well-being.
Contemporary Application
Modern scholars extend this wisdom to supervising children during high-risk times, including traffic hours and unsupervised outdoor play after dark.
The principle emphasizes parental responsibility in creating safe environments while maintaining trust in Allah's protection through practical measures.