Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, “When the darkness of night comes, or in the evening, collect your children, for the devil is abroad at that time, and when an hour of the night has passed let them free and shut the doors, making mention of God’s name, for the devil does not open a shut door. Tie up you buckets, mentioning God's name; cover up your vessels, mentioning God’s name, even though you should just put something on them, and extinguish your lamps.”(Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version by Bukhari he said, “Cover up the vessels, tie the water-skins, shut the doors, and gather your children in the evening, for the jinn are abroad and seize them; and extinguish the lamps when you go to sleep, for a mouse often drags a wick and burns a household.” In a verison by Muslim he said, “Cover the vessel, tie up the water-skin, shut the doors and extinguish the lamp, for the devil does not loosen a water-skin, or open a door, or uncover a vessel. If all one can do is to put a piece of wood over his vessel and mention God's name let him do so, for a mouse sets a house on fire over its inhabitants.” In a version by him he said, “Do not let your animals and children go at large when the sun sets till the first and darkest part of the night has passed, for the devil is sent out; from the time the sun sets till the first and darkest part of the night is past.” In a version by him he said, “Cover the vessel and tie up the water-skin, for there is a night in the year when pestilence descends, and it does not pass an uncovered vessel or an untied water-skin without some of that pesti- lence descending into it.”
Commentary on the Prophetic Guidance Regarding Evening Precautions
From the esteemed compilation "Mishkat al-Masabih" (Hadith references: 4294, 4295, 4296, 4297, 4298), we find profound wisdom in these narrations from Jabir ibn Abdullah concerning the Messenger of Allah's teachings about evening precautions. The scholars explain that these instructions contain both spiritual and practical dimensions for the protection of households.
The Wisdom Behind Gathering Children at Dusk
The command to gather children when darkness falls stems from the increased activity of devils and jinn during this transitional period between day and night. Classical commentators like Imam al-Nawawi explain that this time represents a shift in spiritual realms, when harmful creatures become more active and may harm unattended children.
The instruction to wait until "an hour of the night has passed" refers to the completion of the Maghrib prayer time, after which this heightened spiritual activity diminishes. This demonstrates the Prophet's comprehensive care for both the physical and spiritual well-being of his community.
The Spiritual Significance of Closing Doors and Covering Vessels
Scholars emphasize that shutting doors while mentioning Allah's name transforms a physical action into an act of worship and protection. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that this practice creates spiritual barriers against evil influences while reinforcing divine consciousness in daily activities.
The covering of vessels and tying of water-skins serves multiple purposes: preventing contamination by harmful spirits, maintaining physical purity, and practicing gratitude for Allah's provisions. The permission to use even a simple piece of wood demonstrates the religion's practicality and accessibility.
Practical Wisdom in Extinguishing Lamps
The extinguishing of lamps before sleep contains profound practical wisdom that modern science confirms. Classical scholars like Imam al-Qurtubi explain that this prevents fire hazards, as illustrated by the mouse dragging the wick. This shows how Islamic teachings encompass both worldly and spiritual safety.
The reference to pestilence descending on uncovered vessels demonstrates the prophetic foresight regarding hygiene and disease prevention, long before modern microbiology confirmed the transmission of pathogens through exposed food and water.
Comprehensive Protection for the Household
These collective instructions form a complete system of household protection. Scholars note that they cover all aspects: spiritual protection through remembrance of Allah, physical protection through practical measures, and communal protection through family care.
The repetition of these teachings in multiple authentic narrations indicates their importance in Islamic practice. They represent the Prophet's role as both spiritual guide and practical advisor for his community, demonstrating that true faith encompasses all aspects of life.