Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established a chapter in the Book of Tahajjud with these words:
(Bābu ‘Aqdi ash-Shayṭāni ‘alā Qāfiyati ar-Ra’si idhā lam yuṣalli bi’l-layl)
“Chapter: The tying of knots by Satan on the nape of the head when one does not pray at night (Tahajjud).”
There are two well-known opinions regarding these knots.
One is that a real (literal) knot is intended, and Satan enchants the person so that he is unable to perform Tahajjud.
The second is that by “tying knots” what is meant is making the person heedless, as if Satan whispers to him that there is still much of the night left and there is no need to wake up.
In this way, he is deprived of the night prayer. However, taking the meaning of “knot” in its real (literal) sense is closer to what is correct.

➋
The specification of the nape of the head is because this is the place of Satan’s influence, and this spot quickly accepts satanic interference.

➌
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has, through this hadith, established the existence of Satan and his activity—that his tying knots on the nape of a person’s head and thereby depriving him of abundant good is among his filthy characteristics, which are extremely blameworthy and detestable.

Hadith Commentary:
What is mentioned in the hadith is absolutely correct.
In reality, Satan ties knots, and these knots are in a satanic thread, which remains on the nape.
In the narration of Imam Ahmad, it is explicitly stated that he ties knots with a rope. Some have said that by tying knots, what is meant is that Satan, like a magician, casts his spell upon him and, in order to make him heedless of prayer, lulls him to sleep by patting him.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The noble Prophets (alayhim as-salam) are protected from this satanic act. Similarly, whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping at night is also safeguarded from these knots. The statement of Allah, the Exalted, is:
﴿إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانٌ﴾ ()
“Indeed, you will have no authority over My servants.”
It should be clear that these satanic knots are to be understood as real. Furthermore, these knots are tied in a thread or rope and are placed on the nape of a person. Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has referenced a hadith in which Satan ties knots in a rope. And Allah knows best.
(Fath al-Bari: 3/33)
(2)
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has, through this hadith, highlighted the importance and benefit of the night prayer (tahajjud), meaning that Satan ties knots on the nape of every morally responsible person, but by performing the night prayer (tahajjud), those knots are untied—as if no knots were ever tied on his nape, because their effect is nullified.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: When a person sleeps at night, it is the desire and effort of Shaytan that the person remains asleep throughout the night until morning, and is unable to participate in the Fajr prayer. For this purpose, Shaytan ties three knots on the nape of every Muslim person and fastens them tightly so that they cannot be undone.

However, if a person acts with determination and resolve, stands up, and recites the supplications for waking up, then one knot is untied, Shaytan’s influence is lessened, and when he performs ablution (wudu), the second knot is also untied, and Shaytan’s attempt at dominance and control is further weakened. When the person at least performs two units (rak‘ahs) of prayer, Shaytan’s plot and trickery are completely thwarted.

The person’s laziness and sluggishness are dispelled. Cheerfulness and freshness are produced in his temperament. He becomes alert and attentive, and participates in the morning prayer with great peace and tranquility.

From this, it is understood that the means of liberation from Shaytan’s dominance, control, and his plotting and deception is the remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and prayer (salah). Without this, a person cannot protect himself from Shaytan.

If a person sleeps throughout the night and is unable to participate in the morning prayer, then it becomes difficult for him to walk on the straight path and to live a religious life. He does not develop enthusiasm and eagerness for good and righteous deeds. He becomes neglectful and careless regarding them. He does not find readiness in his temperament for them.

1306. Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
➊ The act of the devil blowing and tying knots is among the matters of the unseen; their exact nature is unknown.
➋ In this and other similar ahadith where the devil is mentioned, it is most likely referring to the "qareen," that is, the one who remains with every human being.
➌ In this hadith, the apparent blessings of the night prayer (tahajjud) and, by extension, the congregational dawn prayer (fajr) at its earliest time are described. Experience is the best witness that even the world's most valuable invigorating substances cannot provide the joy and delight that are attained through this practice.

1608. Commentary: "Three knots"—When a person sleeps, he becomes heedless of his body, purity, and the remembrance of Allah. The effort of Shaytan is that the person remains heedless; even if he wakes up, Shaytan, through whisperings, does not let him rise but rather makes him sleep again. If a person, taking the name of Allah (with resolve), sits up, then heedlessness has left his body; if he performs ablution (wudu), he attains purity; and if he begins prayer, he becomes engaged in the highest degree of the remembrance of Allah. Thus, every kind of heedlessness is removed, and he becomes a complete person. Both alertness comes to his body and freshness to his soul. But if he continues to sleep or tosses about in bed, not having the resolve to get up, then neither does alertness come to his body nor freshness to his soul. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has described this matter as Shaytan tying knots and their being untied. May we be sacrificed for your eloquence and clarity—what a beautiful manner you have adopted! Some scholars have taken this statement in its apparent meaning: that indeed Shaytan ties knots and blows upon them, and then they are untied, but all this is not visible to us. Some scholars have interpreted it as metaphor and simile. In any case, if Shaytan truly ties knots and they are untied, this is not impossible. Therefore, the truth is that, without any kind of interpretation, the explicit meaning of the noble hadith should be accepted; this is what belief in the unseen (iman bil-ghayb) demands and is the practice of the early scholars (salaf) of knowledge. And Allah knows best.

Benefits and Issues:

➊
Satan is a creature hidden from our sight.
We should have faith in whatever is established about him from the Qur’an and Hadith.

➋
Tying knots in strings, threads, or hair and then blowing on them is the method of magicians.
In the Noble Qur’an, it is stated:
﴿وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ﴾ ()
“And (I seek refuge) from the evil of those who blow on knots.”
Satan, in this way, exerts psychological influence on a person and makes him heedless of the remembrance of Allah.
As mentioned in the hadith, whenever he ties a knot, he says:
“There is still a long night ahead, keep sleeping.”
()

➌
The remembrance of Allah is the best counter to Satan’s schemes.
Waking up and mentioning Allah’s name, that is, reciting this supplication, unties the knots placed by Satan:
(al-ḥamdu lillāhi alladhī aḥyānā ba‘da mā amātanā wa-ilayhi an-nushūr)
()
“All praise is due to Allah, Who gave us life after He caused us to die, and to Him is the resurrection.”

➍
The tahajjud prayer is an important means of protection from the evil of Satan.

➎
Through the blessing of Allah’s remembrance and prayer, the soul attains tranquility and the heart finds happiness.
Avoidance of these things leads to anxiety, depression, and laziness.

➏
Through the remembrance of Allah, one attains goodness in this world,
and also attains the pleasure of Allah.

Takhrij al-Hadith:
[وأخرجه البخاري 1142، من حديث مالك به]
Jurisprudential Points:
➊ Waking up at night for tahajjud (voluntary night prayer) and performing tahajjud is an act of immense virtue.
➋ Shaytan (Satan) and his progeny are constantly striving to lead people astray from the straight path.
➌ One should always make it a point to perform the morning (fajr) prayer at its earliest time and in congregation.
➍ Shaytan flees from the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah; therefore, one should frequently engage in the prescribed remembrances.
➎ All acts of worship and prescribed deeds are included among the forms of dhikr (remembrance of Allah).
➏ It is necessary to have faith, without any doubt or suspicion, in all matters of the unseen that have been mentioned in the Book and the Sunnah.
➐ The people of faith are of good character.

Benefit:
This hadith proves that Satan entraps us in many ways and gives us false hopes. Opposing Satan, we should wake up not at the false dawn (subh kadhib) but at the true dawn (subh sadiq) to perform tahajjud (night prayer), and we should remember Allah (dhikr). It is also understood from this that whoever does not remember Allah remains in a state of laziness.