19/09/2026
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught his Ummah how to avoid the harm of Satan and protect themselves from things that may harm them in this world and the Hereafter. His Prophetic advice serves as guidance for preserving the welfare and safety of Muslims.
As mentioned in this hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said: “When night falls”—or, according to another narration, “when you enter the evening”—meaning when darkness begins, “keep your children indoors.” Prevent them from going outside at that time because this is when the devils spread out. They move about from the beginning of sunset until a portion of the night has passed. Once some time of the night has passed, children may be allowed to go out.
The “hour” mentioned here does not necessarily mean the sixty-minute hour that we use today; rather, it refers to a period of time.
The Prophet ﷺ was concerned that when the jinn and devils spread out, they might harm or overpower young children, as Allah has given the devil certain abilities. The Prophet ﷺ therefore taught us that exposing oneself to trials and dangers should be avoided when possible, and taking precautions is wiser. Such precautions do not prevent what Allah has decreed, but they allow a person to take the proper means and fulfill their responsibility.
The wisdom behind the spreading of the devils at that time is that darkness provides them with greater opportunity to move about than daylight. It is also said that devils make use of darkness and dislike light.
