Question:
Assalamualaikum dear Sheikh Sajid, is it true that we should keep our children indoors at Maghrib (sunset) time to avoid them being affected by evil jinn (spirits)?
Answer:
باسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله وعلى آله وأصحبه ومن والاه
Wa ‘alaykum salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu akhil kareem (honourable brother).
You have asked a great question especially since I have heard many Muslims actually refer to what you have described as a myth.
I too recall hearing my mother (may Allah preserve her) telling me this whilst growing up and I clearly remember myself not being convinced. We tend to have skeptic tendencies especially with matters related to the supernatural.
The reality in this matter is that our beloved Messenger ﷺ has actually advised us against letting our young out at sunset and the period just after sunset in authentic authoritative narrations.
In both Saheeh al Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim our beloved Messenger ﷺ is reported to have said:
“When the wings of the night spread (or when evening arrives) keep your children indoors, for the devils come out at that time. Then when part of the night has passed, release them. And close the doors and mention the name of Allah, for the shaytaan (devil) does not open a closed door. And tie up your water-skins and mention the name of Allah, and cover your vessels and mention the name of Allah, even if you only put something over them, and extinguish your lamps.”
In another narration in Saheeh Muslim, The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Do not let your animals and children go out when the sun has set, until the first part of the night is over, for the devils come out when the sun sets until the first part of the night is over.”
May Allah Almighty protect us and our children from all evil and harm. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Your brother,
Sajid Umar
