Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha ḥafiẓahullāh
Yes, they do!
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, there is a narration from Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu), who stated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ appointed him as a guard over charity goods. A visitor came and began stealing from the charity collection. This happened for two consecutive nights. Each time, when Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) caught him, he would plead hunger and need, and Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) would let him go out of compassion.
On the third night, when the man returned, Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) said:
“Today, I will definitely take you to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”
The man replied:
“Let me go, and I will teach you a few words through which Allah will benefit you.”
Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) asked:
“What are those words?”
He replied:
“When you go to bed, recite Āyat al-Kursī completely. Through it, Allah will appoint a guardian over you, and no Shayṭān will come near you till morning.”
When this matter was presented before the Prophet ﷺ, he said:
"صَدَقَكَ وَهُوَ كَذُوبٌ، ذَاكَ شَيْطَانٌ"
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth No. 3101]
“He told you the truth, though he is a habitual liar. That was Shayṭān.”
Similarly, Sayyidunā Jābir (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) narrated from the Prophet ﷺ that he said:
"أَغْلِقْ بَابَكَ، وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ، فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَا يَفْتَحُ بَابًا مُغْلَقًا، وَأَطْفِئْ مِصْبَاحَكَ، وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ، وَخَمِّرْ إِنَاءَكَ، وَلَوْ بِعُودٍ تَعْرُضُهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ، وَأَوْكِ سِقَاءَكَ، وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ"
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīth No. 3731]
“Close your door and say Bismillāh, for Shayṭān cannot open a closed door. Extinguish your lamp and say Bismillāh. Cover your utensil and say Bismillāh—even if only placing a stick across it. Tie your water-skin and say Bismillāh.”
Approximately 5% of thefts are due to the Shayāṭīn (jinn devils), whereas 95% occur due to human devils.
❀ Do Jinns Steal?
Answer:Yes, they do!
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, there is a narration from Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu), who stated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ appointed him as a guard over charity goods. A visitor came and began stealing from the charity collection. This happened for two consecutive nights. Each time, when Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) caught him, he would plead hunger and need, and Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) would let him go out of compassion.
On the third night, when the man returned, Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) said:
“Today, I will definitely take you to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”
The man replied:
“Let me go, and I will teach you a few words through which Allah will benefit you.”
Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) asked:
“What are those words?”
He replied:
“When you go to bed, recite Āyat al-Kursī completely. Through it, Allah will appoint a guardian over you, and no Shayṭān will come near you till morning.”
When this matter was presented before the Prophet ﷺ, he said:
"صَدَقَكَ وَهُوَ كَذُوبٌ، ذَاكَ شَيْطَانٌ"
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth No. 3101]
“He told you the truth, though he is a habitual liar. That was Shayṭān.”
Similarly, Sayyidunā Jābir (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) narrated from the Prophet ﷺ that he said:
"أَغْلِقْ بَابَكَ، وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ، فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَا يَفْتَحُ بَابًا مُغْلَقًا، وَأَطْفِئْ مِصْبَاحَكَ، وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ، وَخَمِّرْ إِنَاءَكَ، وَلَوْ بِعُودٍ تَعْرُضُهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ، وَأَوْكِ سِقَاءَكَ، وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ"
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīth No. 3731]
“Close your door and say Bismillāh, for Shayṭān cannot open a closed door. Extinguish your lamp and say Bismillāh. Cover your utensil and say Bismillāh—even if only placing a stick across it. Tie your water-skin and say Bismillāh.”
✿ Summary:
Whoever places something while saying “Bismillāh”, Shayṭān cannot access it.Approximately 5% of thefts are due to the Shayāṭīn (jinn devils), whereas 95% occur due to human devils.
