Abu Dawud

Benefits and Issues:
Benefit: In order to protect oneself from satanic influences and their attacks, along with the prescribed (masnun) supplications, it is also necessary to observe this mentioned protective measure.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In another narration it is stated:
“At night, extinguish the lamps while mentioning Allah’s name, and close the mouth of the water-skin while mentioning Allah’s name.
Cover the vessel while mentioning Allah’s name.
If you do not find a cover, then place any object over it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Beginning of Creation, Hadith: 3280)

➋
The reason for restraining children appears to be that children are contaminated with impurity, and the ability to protect through the remembrance of Allah is not present in them.
When the devils see a child in such a state, there is a fear that they may cling to him, because devils are more familiar with filth.
The reason for their spreading at night is that their movements are greater in darkness than in light, and they benefit more from darkness. Moreover, they are familiar with every black thing, as the black dog has been called a devil.

➌
Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah has indicated towards the narration in which it is stated:
“At night, extinguish the lamp, for when one sleeps, the mouse may pull the wick, causing the house to burn down to ashes.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Beginning of Creation, Hadith: 3316)
In this, the mention is of the mouse, and for this reason it has been mentioned under the aforementioned heading.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
By "the devils that spread out upon the earth," what is meant here are the wicked jinn.
Some have said that snakes are intended.
Most snakes come out of their holes at this time to get fresh air.
Based on the apparent meaning of the hadith, the devils come out, spread over the earth, and try to harm the children of Adam.
(We believe and affirm, and Allah knows best the reality of the matter.)

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The reason given for the spreading of devils (shayatin) at night is that their movements are greater in darkness compared to light; they take advantage of the darkness and find light to be detestable. Similarly, they find every black thing to be good. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) called the black dog a devil; the reason for this is also their familiarity with black things.

➋
The reason for fear concerning children at that time is that children often have impurities (najasah) and the like attached to them, which greatly interests the devils. Protection from them can be sought through the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah, which children are not capable of.
On this basis, when the devils spread, they attach themselves to whatever is suitable for them. If there is no fear of harm at night while sleeping—
For example:
A lamp is hanging from the ceiling or an electric bulb is lit—then, due to necessity, it is permissible to keep them lit at night.
In any case, a person should act upon these rulings, because by doing so, the help of Allah is with him and he remains safe from harm.
And Allah is the One whose help is sought.

Hadith Commentary:
The benefit of extinguishing the lamp at bedtime is mentioned in another narration: a mouse may grab the wick in its mouth and drag it away, which often causes houses to catch fire. Therefore, it is necessary in all circumstances to extinguish the lamp and put out the light before going to sleep.

Hadith Commentary:
Medically, it has been established that sleeping after extinguishing the light at night is very restful.
The harm of leaving a lamp burning has been mentioned in the hadith:
“A mouse burns down people’s houses.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Al-Ashribah, Hadith: 3732)
That is, it drags the burning wick, causing the house to burn down to ashes.
It is thus understood that sleeping while leaving electricity, gas, or a coal brazier burning is very harmful to health; it can also cause a fire, or an electrical short circuit may occur.
Deaths have also occurred due to gas.
If there is a need, a low-wattage electric bulb may be left on, as it does not pose this danger.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: When the sun is about to set and sun-worshippers prostrate before it, at that time the devils also spread out. Therefore, at this time, as will be mentioned in the following hadith, livestock and children should not be left unattended, because the devils exert their harmful effects upon them, and the annual epidemic also descends upon them. If these instructions are followed, these things remain protected from the effects of the devils and from the descent of the annual epidemic.

Benefits and Issues:
It is recommended (mustahabb) that at the time of Maghrib, the journey be paused for a while.
And then, when darkness falls, the remaining journey should be undertaken.

Benefit:
In this hadith, certain etiquettes of the night have been mentioned, indicating that one should spend the night while observing them.