Hadith on Keeping Kids at Home During the Sunset
Question:
What is your view about the following Hadiths regarding not sending kids out around the sunset:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Cover your dishes, close your containers, shut your doors, and keep your children indoors at nightfall, for the Jinn are out and about and stalking.” (Bukhârî 3316)
“Do not send out your cattle or your children when the sun sets until the blackness of the night descends, for indeed the Satans are sent forth when the Sun sets until the blackness of the night descends.” (Muslim 2013)
Answer:
The above Hadith has been narrated only by one of the companions, that is, Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari and from him, only two people have narrated this Hadith, these are Abi Zubair and Ata ibn Aslam. Both narrators are generally considered as trusted, although there are also concerns about each of them, as quoted by Mazi and Zahabi. (1)
What the Hadith is 'apparently' referring to is not a trivial issue. The Hadith suggests that at the time of sunset evil beings are out and about and therefore kids can be in danger, so it will be better to keep them inside during this time.
It is easy to imagine that in the face of such serious danger, the prophet (pbuh) would make a public announcement to warn all about this. It is very strange that an issue as important as the above is not narrated by any other companions but Jabir and that only two people narrate it from him.
Based on the above I do not consider this Hadith to be a matter of concern for us in any way. Assuming that the Hadith is narrated correctly and accurately, then the most that can be said is that it was a specific period of time in a specific location where there was a danger of evils harming kids during the sunset. The prophet (pbuh) warned Jabir about this as he happened to be around at that location and that time. He would have warned other companions as well if the danger was of a a general and permanent nature.
May God be satisfied with the family of the Prophet (pbuh) and his pious companions.
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Footnote:
1. Mazi quotes a number of statements in favour of Abi Zubair but also refers to Na’im ibn Himad and Ahmad ibn Hanbal as those who heard about his weakness in narration (Tahzib al-Kamal, 26:408).
Zahabi quotes a number of statements in favour of Ata ibn Aslam but also quotes from Qays ibn Sa’d and Ali ibn al-Madini that he became confused and forgetful at the latter stage of his life.
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October 2013
What is your view about the following Hadiths regarding not sending kids out around the sunset:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Cover your dishes, close your containers, shut your doors, and keep your children indoors at nightfall, for the Jinn are out and about and stalking.” (Bukhârî 3316)
“Do not send out your cattle or your children when the sun sets until the blackness of the night descends, for indeed the Satans are sent forth when the Sun sets until the blackness of the night descends.” (Muslim 2013)
Answer:
The above Hadith has been narrated only by one of the companions, that is, Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari and from him, only two people have narrated this Hadith, these are Abi Zubair and Ata ibn Aslam. Both narrators are generally considered as trusted, although there are also concerns about each of them, as quoted by Mazi and Zahabi. (1)
What the Hadith is 'apparently' referring to is not a trivial issue. The Hadith suggests that at the time of sunset evil beings are out and about and therefore kids can be in danger, so it will be better to keep them inside during this time.
It is easy to imagine that in the face of such serious danger, the prophet (pbuh) would make a public announcement to warn all about this. It is very strange that an issue as important as the above is not narrated by any other companions but Jabir and that only two people narrate it from him.
Based on the above I do not consider this Hadith to be a matter of concern for us in any way. Assuming that the Hadith is narrated correctly and accurately, then the most that can be said is that it was a specific period of time in a specific location where there was a danger of evils harming kids during the sunset. The prophet (pbuh) warned Jabir about this as he happened to be around at that location and that time. He would have warned other companions as well if the danger was of a a general and permanent nature.
May God be satisfied with the family of the Prophet (pbuh) and his pious companions.
--------
Footnote:
1. Mazi quotes a number of statements in favour of Abi Zubair but also refers to Na’im ibn Himad and Ahmad ibn Hanbal as those who heard about his weakness in narration (Tahzib al-Kamal, 26:408).
Zahabi quotes a number of statements in favour of Ata ibn Aslam but also quotes from Qays ibn Sa’d and Ali ibn al-Madini that he became confused and forgetful at the latter stage of his life.
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October 2013
