❖ Introduction
The Noble Prophet ﷺ criticized the person who sleeps through the night and misses the Fajr (dawn) prayer. In the Hadith, this state is described metaphorically by stating that Satan urinates in the ear of such a person. Some people interpret these words literally and deem the Hadith unserious, whereas in reality, this is a metaphor used in the Arabic language to describe deep sleep, heedlessness, and extreme neglect.
❖ The Hadith Narrations
① First Narration
Narrated by Abdullah (RA):
"The Prophet ﷺ was told about a man who slept through the night until morning. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'That is a man in whose ear Satan has urinated.'"
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 529)
② Second Narration
Narrated by Abdullah (RA):
"He remained asleep until morning and did not get up for prayer. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Satan urinated in his ear.'"
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadith 1096)
③ Third Narration
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (RA):
"The Prophet ﷺ was asked about the one who sleeps from the beginning of the night until the end. He replied: 'That is the one in whose ear Satan urinated.'"
(Al-Tahawi: Sharh Mushkil al-Athar, Volume 10, Hadith 4020)
❖ Explanation of the Hadith
◈ The Action of Satan
Imam Ibn Battal (d. 449 AH) explains that Satan urinating in a person’s ear is a metaphor, signifying:
✔ The pleasure and approval of Satan.
✔ Satan’s dominance over the individual and his success in leading him astray.
(Ibn Battal: Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, p. 370)
◈ The Mention of the Ear
Ears are essential for the faculty of hearing. In the context of sleep, a “veil over the ears” symbolizes negligence and inattentiveness. The Qur’an also uses this expression regarding the Companions of the Cave:
"فَضَرَبْنَا عَلَىٰ آذَانِهِمْ فِي الْكَهْفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدًا"
(Surah Al-Kahf: 11)
Translation: "Then We drew a veil over their ears in the cave for a number of years."
◈ The Meaning of Urination
Imam Ibn Hajar (d. 852 AH) states:
"This metaphor is used to describe the intensity of deep sleep that leads a person to miss obligatory prayers like Fajr. In Arabic usage, the term 'urine' can denote something disgraceful or useless."
(Ibn Hajar: Fath al-Bari, Vol. 3, pp. 28–29)
❖ Views of the Scholars
✔ Imam Nawawi (d. 676 AH):
"The mention of urination signifies humiliation, dominance, and mockery. It is actually an indication of Satan's overpowering influence upon the person."
(Nawawi: Sharh Sahih Muslim, Vol. 6, p. 64)
✔ Abu Ja‘far al-Tahawi (d. 321 AH):
"This is the kind of sleep that deprives a person of obligatory prayers like 'Isha and Fajr. It is a metaphor that expresses the extreme state of heedlessness."
(Al-Tahawi: Sharh Mushkil al-Athar, Vol. 10, pp. 193–194)
❖ Summary
This Hadith is metaphorical and intended to highlight the severity of neglecting prayer and the influence of Satan over the negligent soul. The mention of "urination" expresses the burden of heedlessness and the spiritual filth that results from abandoning obligatory acts of worship. It is not to be understood in a literal or comedic sense but rather as a powerful illustration of spiritual failure.
