Safeguard your home with Allah’s name

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 5300, Sahih Muslim 2012
Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When the night lowers its wings or you enter evening, hold back your children, for the devils spread out at that time. When a while has passed, you may let them go. Lock your doors and mention the name of Allah, for Satan cannot open a locked door. Tie your water-skins and mention the name of Allah, cover your vessels with whatever you have and mention the name of Allah, and put out your lamps.

Description:
The Prophet ﷺ here teaches us how to protect ourselves from harm in the night. The “devils” mentioned are not just unseen Iblis or jinn, but also humans who act with evil intentions after following the whispers of Iblis. A thief breaking in, a murderer, or a rapist – anyone who commits such forbidden acts becomes a devil in their action, because they listened to satanic whispers and carried them out. That is why the Prophet ﷺ instructed Muslims to lock their doors, cover their food and drink, and extinguish lamps while mentioning the name of Allah. Even if the lock itself is weak, invoking Allah’s name brings divine protection through angels and Allah’s will.

This hadith is both spiritual and practical: protect your family physically with security, and spiritually with dhikr of Allah.

References that humans can be devils:

📖Quran 6:112
And so We have made for every prophet an enemy – devils from mankind and jinn – inspiring to one another decorative speech in delusion. But if your Lord had willed, they would not have done it, so leave them and what they invent.

📖Sahih Muslim 2814
Abu Dharr reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “O Abu Dharr, seek refuge in Allah from the devils of mankind and the devils of jinn.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, are there devils among mankind?” The Prophet said, “Yes.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 35:6
Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze.

Evil actions like theft, killing without right, or committing indecency are all the results of following Satan’s whispers.

📖Quran 7:200
And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.

📖Quran 16:99
Indeed, there is for him (Satan) no authority over those who have believed and rely upon their Lord.