36/12. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2012e — Protecting Children at Night
It is recommended to cover vessels, tie up waterskins, close doors and mention the name of Allah over them, extinguish lamps and fires when going to sleep, and keep children and animals in after maghrib
Hadith About Children at Night: A Home Safety Routine
Sahih Muslim : 2012e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2012e
وَحَدَّثَنِي إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا رَوْحُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَطَاءٌ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِذَا كَانَ جُنْحُ اللَّيْلِ - أَوْ أَمْسَيْتُمْ - فَكُفُّوا صِبْيَانَكُمْ فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْتَشِرُ حِينَئِذٍ فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ سَاعَةٌ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَخَلُّوهُمْ وَأَغْلِقُوا الأَبْوَابَ وَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لاَ يَفْتَحُ بَابًا مُغْلَقًا وَأَوْكُوا قِرَبَكُمْ وَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ وَخَمِّرُوا آنِيَتَكُمْ وَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ وَلَوْ أَنْ تَعْرُضُوا عَلَيْهَا شَيْئًا وَأَطْفِئُوا مَصَابِيحَكُمْ " .
Jabir bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) having said: When the wings of the night (spread) or it is night, restrain your children (from going out), for the Satan is abroad at that time, and when a part of the night is passed, free them and shut the doors. making mention of God's name, for the Satan does not open a closed door; and tighten the (mouths of waterskins and mention the name of Allah, cover your utensils and mention the name of Allah even though you should just put something on them, and extinguish your lamps.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2012eIn-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 124USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 23, Hadith 4995
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2012e
This Hadith gives a fuller night routine. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that when the wings of the night spread, or when evening comes, children should be restrained from going out because Satan spreads at that time. After part of the night has passed, they may be let free. The Hadith then mentions closing doors while saying Allah's name, tying waterskins with Allah's name, covering utensils with Allah's name, even by placing something on them, and extinguishing lamps. This Hadith about children at night is not only about children. It teaches a full pattern of care: protect the young, secure the home, cover food and drink, remember Allah, and remove fire risks.
What we learn from this hadith
- Children should be kept from going out at the start of night as stated in the Hadith.
- Doors, waterskins, and utensils are to be handled with the name of Allah mentioned.
- Lamps should be extinguished as part of night safety.
