"The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Last night a big demon (afreet) from the Jinns came to me and wanted to interrupt my prayers (or said something similar) but Allah enabled me to overpower him. I wanted to fasten him to one of the pillars of the mosque so that all of you could See him in the morning but I remembered the statement of my brother Solomon (as stated in Quran): My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me a kingdom such as shall not belong to anybody after me (38.35)." The sub narrator Rauh said, "He (the demon) was dismissed humiliated."
Hadith Commentary: The Jinn's Interruption
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (461) reveals profound spiritual realities. The term "afreet" denotes a powerful, rebellious jinn of exceptional strength, indicating the severity of this spiritual confrontation during the Prophet's prayers (Salat).
Divine Protection in Worship
Allah's enabling of the Prophet to overpower this formidable creature demonstrates that divine assistance accompanies sincere worship. The incident occurred during the night prayer (Tahajjud), emphasizing the special spiritual significance of nighttime devotions.
The jinn's attempt to interrupt the prayer shows that Satanic forces actively seek to disrupt the believer's connection with Allah, particularly during acts of worship.
Prophetic Wisdom and Humility
The Prophet's restraint in not displaying the captured jinn reflects profound wisdom. He remembered Prophet Solomon's prayer in Quran 38:35, recognizing that seeking unique miracles or displays of power contradicts the spirit of servitude to Allah.
This teaches Muslims that spiritual victories should be attributed to Allah's grace rather than becoming occasions for personal pride or spectacle. The demon's humiliating dismissal serves as a reminder that all evil forces are ultimately subject to divine authority.
Practical Lessons for Believers
This hadith comforts believers that no spiritual harm can overcome them without Allah's permission. It encourages persistence in prayer despite distractions or spiritual attacks.
The narration also illustrates the reality of the unseen world and the constant spiritual warfare surrounding human worship, reminding us to seek Allah's protection before prayers through prescribed invocations.