Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (Hafizahullah)
On the third night, when the thief returned, Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) caught him and said:
"I will surely take you to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)."
The thief pleaded:
"Let me go, and I will teach you some words that will benefit you."
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) asked:
"What are those words?"
The thief replied:
"When you go to bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi (اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ...) completely. By doing so, Allah will appoint a guardian over you, and no devil will come near you until morning."
The next morning, Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) informed the Prophet (ﷺ) about this incident, upon which the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
«صدقك وهو كذوب، ذاك شيطان»
"He told you the truth, even though he is a liar. That was a Satan."
[Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2311]
✔ Even though the jinn in this narration spoke the truth, the Prophet (ﷺ) confirmed that he was generally a liar.
✔ Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping grants protection from devils throughout the night.
Answer:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) that once, a thief came to him and started taking handfuls of charity (Sadaqah) from the collected wealth. The Prophet (ﷺ) had appointed Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) to guard this charity at night.On the third night, when the thief returned, Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) caught him and said:
"I will surely take you to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)."
The thief pleaded:
"Let me go, and I will teach you some words that will benefit you."
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) asked:
"What are those words?"
The thief replied:
"When you go to bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi (اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ...) completely. By doing so, Allah will appoint a guardian over you, and no devil will come near you until morning."
The next morning, Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) informed the Prophet (ﷺ) about this incident, upon which the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
«صدقك وهو كذوب، ذاك شيطان»
"He told you the truth, even though he is a liar. That was a Satan."
[Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2311]Conclusion:
✔ Jinn, particularly the devils (Shayateen), do lie.✔ Even though the jinn in this narration spoke the truth, the Prophet (ﷺ) confirmed that he was generally a liar.
✔ Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping grants protection from devils throughout the night.