Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
These are such aspects of social life that, due to negligence, people sometimes suffer the severest of hardships. May we be sacrificed for that beloved Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) who has presented us with the best guidance for every facet of life.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The reason for this has been mentioned in a hadith: Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhu says that once a mouse dragged the wick of a lamp and brought it onto the mat in front of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, upon which he was sitting, and a spot the size of a dirham was burned. So he said:
“When you go to sleep, extinguish your lamps, for Satan inspires such creatures to do these kinds of things and sets fire to your houses.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Al-Adab, Hadith: 5247)
(2)
In any case, when sleeping at night, one should extinguish fire, coal-burning braziers, gas or electric heaters, and lamps with wicks, etc., before sleeping, otherwise harm may occur. Furthermore, in such incidents, in reality, there is an element of satanic activity involved; therefore, one should always seek refuge with Allah Ta’ala from his evil.
Wallahu al-musta‘an.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Although Allah, the Exalted, has granted Satan such power that he can enter places where humans cannot go, this power of his is nullified by the remembrance of Allah. Thus, it is mentioned in the hadith that close the door by mentioning the name of Allah, for indeed Satan cannot open closed doors.
(Sahih Muslim, Al-Ashriba, Hadith: 5246(2012))
In another hadith, this is further clarified, as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“When a person enters his house and mentions the name of Allah upon entering and upon his food, Satan says:
‘There is no place for you to spend the night here, nor is there any food for you tonight.’
But when a person does not mention Allah upon entering, Satan says:
‘You have found a place to spend the night.’
And if he does not mention Allah upon his food, Satan says:
‘You have found both a place to spend the night and food as well.’”
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Al-At‘imah, Hadith: 3765)
(2)
In any case, the attacks of Satan are extremely subtle, severe, and continuous. The sure way to protect oneself from them is the remembrance of Allah, the Exalted.
Wallahu al-musta‘an.

Hadith Commentary: Jinn and devils sometimes spread out on the earth in the form of snakes, and especially at night, they become a cause of harm to humans; this is the meaning of the hadith.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In this hadith, all the commands of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) are to be understood as recommendations (istihbab).
By acting upon them, a person remains protected from hardships.

➋
There are several benefits to covering vessels:
They remain protected from devils (shayatin) and their impurities.
Insects and bugs do not enter them, and epidemic diseases also stay away from them.
If a lid or something similar is not available, then a piece of wood or something else should be placed over the vessel.
The command to extinguish lamps was given because of the risk that, due to the mischief of a mouse, the house might catch fire.
If it is a lantern or an electric bulb, where the matter does not reach the point of burning or causing a fire, then there is no harm.
Nevertheless, it is better to turn off electrical items as well, because the danger of fire due to a short circuit in a wire still remains.

➌
It should be clear that the reality of jinn and shaytan is one, although their attributes are different.
The mention of both in the narration is correct.

Hadith Commentary:

The word "khammiru" means "to cover"; thus, covering food and drink vessels is somewhat necessary. There is also an emphasis on closing the door.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
There is no harm in leaving an empty small vessel turned upside down, because the aforementioned purpose is achieved thereby. When there is something in the vessel or the vessel is large, then it should be covered.

(2)
Reflect on how perfect our Shari‘ah is, that it provides complete guidance regarding daily necessities, to which people generally do not pay attention. Caution regarding dangerous things is necessary. When closing the door, covering vessels, and tying the mouth of a waterskin (mashkīzah), if one mentions the name of Allah, then by the blessing of this, a person is protected from the mischief of Shaytanic influences. If these acts are performed with the intention of following the Sunnah, then along with external protection, these matters also become a means of attaining closeness to Allah Ta‘ala and reward is also attained.

Explanation:
1:
Many benefits are derived from this hadith:

➊ By closing the door while reciting "Bismillah," a person is protected from jinn and devils.

➋ The house is also safeguarded from thieves.

➌ By tying up and covering the mouth of a vessel, the contents are protected from the effects of poisonous creatures, as well as from epidemic diseases and filth, etc.

➍ By extinguishing lamps and fire, the house is protected from the dangers of fire.

Benefits and Issues:
➊
The enmity and wickedness of Satan are very subtle and continuous.
It is only possible to counter him by invoking the name of Allah.
Therefore, one should continue to recite the prescribed supplications at appropriate occasions.
Especially, one should make it a habit to say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) before routine, minor tasks.

➋
Observing principles of hygiene and similar matters is natural disposition (fitrah), but if a person does all this with the intention of following the Prophetic traditions (Sunan Nabawiyyah), then these actions become a means of drawing closer to Allah,
and reward is also attained.

Commentary:
Benefits and Issues:

➊ The Islamic Shari’ah is so complete that it provides guidance even in those daily matters to which people generally do not pay attention.

➋ Caution is necessary regarding dangerous items.

➌ These instructions are given to be acted upon at the time of sleeping at night. See: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Drinks, Chapter: Covering the Vessel, Hadith: 5623)

➍ When closing the door, covering the vessel, and tying the mouth of the water-skin (mashk), one should say “Bismillah.” (Sahih Bukhari, reference as above) By its blessing, one remains protected from the mischief of Shaytan.

➎ Having darkness in the room at the time of sleeping is a cause of comfortable sleep.

➏ The wisdom in extinguishing the lamp is that a mouse may take the burning wick and go up to the roof, which can set the wooden roof on fire. Therefore, it is necessary to extinguish oil lamps or candles, etc.; however, a low-wattage electric bulb may be left on, as there is no such danger in it. And Allah knows best.

Hadith Authentication:
[وأخرجه مسلم 2012، من حديث ما لك به ورواہ اليث بن سعدعن ابي الزبير به عند مسلم 2012/96]

Jurisprudential Points
➊ Islam is a complete religion in which everything is explained and resolved, from minor matters to major principles and beliefs, etc. If people fully practice the religion of Islam, this world would become a cradle of peace and security.
➋ There is wisdom in extinguishing a burning lamp, for by the grace and mercy of Allah, the house is protected from being suddenly reduced to ashes by an accident. It is entirely possible that a mouse might take the burning wick and throw it somewhere, causing a fire in the house.
➌ Satan (and the jinn) have not been given the power to go around opening closed doors or removing the lids from vessels.
➍ A water jug (lota) or similar vessel that is kept at night for ablution (wudu) should be covered, so as to remain safe from the mischief of Satan, insects, and harmful creatures.
➎ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was exceedingly compassionate and merciful to the believers; rather, he was a mercy to all humanity and all creation—Rahmatul-lil-Alameen. He informed his ummah of all that is good in this world and the Hereafter. Sallallahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam.
➏ Rebellion against the obedience of Allah is called fisq (wickedness), and causing harm to Muslims is rebellion against the obedience of Allah. The mouse is called fasiq (wicked) because it causes harm to people.