Avoiding Excess Furniture

📖Sahih Muslim 2084
Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “There is a bedding for a man and a bedding for his wife. The third bedding is for his guest, and the fourth is for Satan.

Explanation

• The fourth bed is symbolic, not that Iblīs literally sleeps there.
• It represents negative influences or harmful things that can disturb household harmony.

• Examples of how it can be “occupied” by negativity:

1. Hygiene or dirt: If the bed is left unclean, it can attract germs, insects, or pests. This represents unhealthy or harmful conditions, metaphorically linked to Satan.
2. Clutter or misused space: Using the bed for hoarding items or improper storage can create disorder, which is a symbolic manifestation of chaos or mischief.
3. Conflict or selfishness: If family members fight over the extra bed or misuse it, it leads to discord, which is spiritually linked to Satan’s influence.

• Parallel with Qur’an:

• Just like in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:168, where forbidden or harmful things (like pork) are symbolically associated with Satan, the fourth bed represents anything that brings harm, disorder, or negativity into the household.
• The bed itself is neutral, but leaving it empty as a preventive measure avoids the “Satanic influence” of disorder, uncleanliness, or selfishness.

📖Riyad as-Salihin 959
‘Amr bin Shu’aib reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “A single rider is (accompanied with) Satan and two riders are (accompanied with) two Satans. Three riders form a group.

• This hadith does not mean the riders themselves are Iblīs or literal devils.
• Instead, the mention of Satan symbolizes potential dangers, risks, or negative influences associated with travel or movement, especially alone or in small groups.

• Single rider:

  • Traveling alone is more vulnerable to harm, accidents, or temptation.

  • Symbolically “accompanied by Satan” because negative or dangerous consequences are more likely.

• Two riders:

  • Slightly safer than alone, but still exposed to risk or negative outcomes—hence “two Satans.”

• Three or more riders:

  • Forming a group reduces danger and vulnerability.

  • This shows that organization, cooperation, and safety measures mitigate negative influences.

Just like in other examples (fourth bed, forbidden foods, unclean things), Satan here represents danger, risk, or harmful influence, not a literal devil riding alongside humans, Negative outcomes, such as accidents, theft, or mischief, are metaphorically called Satanic influences, emphasizing caution and preparedness.