Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 300

Prohibition of Leaving the Fire Burning

باب النهي عن ترك النار في البيت عند النوم ونحوه سواء كانت في سراج أو غيره

This chapter turns mercy into safety inside the home. The Prophet (peace be upon him) tells his community to put out fires before sleeping, and the urgency in his words, calling fire your enemy, shows that protecting life and property is itself part of God-consciousness. Care for the household at night is treated here as a religious responsibility, not mere housekeeping.

Read the three hadith as widening circles of the same prudence: extinguish the flame, then cover the pots, tie the water-skin, and lock the doors, each step paired with naming Allah over what you secure. The chapter blends practical precaution with trust, you take every means available and then commit the night to Allah, knowing even a small spark or a wandering mouse can bring ruin.

Hadith 1652

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said:

عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏لا تتركوا النار في بيوتكم حين تنامون‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not keep the fire burning in your homes when you go to bed." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

A simple instruction of care: put out any flame in the home before sleeping, so an unattended fire cannot cause harm while everyone rests.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1652 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 142

Hadith 1653

Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ احترق بيت بالمدينة على أهله من الليل، فلما حدث رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بشأنهم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏إن هذه النار عدو لكم، فإذا نمتم فأطفئوها‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

A house in Al-Madinah was burnt with its occupants inside it one night. When this was reported to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) he said, "Fire is your enemy. So, put it out before going to bed." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

After a household died in a house fire, the Prophet (peace be upon him) called fire an enemy and urged people to extinguish it before bed. Take real precautions to protect life.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1653 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 143

Hadith 1654

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعن جابر رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏غطوا الإناء، وأوكئوا السقاء، وأغلقوا الأبواب، وأطفئوا السراج، فإن الشيطان لا يحل سقاء، ولايفتح بابًا ولايكشف إناءً، إن لم يجد أحدكم إلا أن يعرض على إنائه عودا، ويذكر اسم الله، فليفعل، فإن الفويسقة تضرم على أهل البيت بيتهم‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏ ‏"‏الفويسقة‏:‏ الفأرة، و‏"‏تضرم‏"‏‏:‏ تحرق‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Cover up the (kitchen) containers (i.e., pots, pans, etc.), tie up the mouth of the water-skin, lock up the doors and extinguish the lamps, because Satan can neither untie the water-skin nor open the door nor uncover the containers. If one can cover the cooking pot even by placing a piece of wood across it, and pronounce the Name of Allah on it, let him do it. A mouse can sometimes cause a house to burn along its dwellers." [Muslim]

In plain words

A list of nightly safeguards: cover the food, close the water-skin, lock the doors, and put out the lamps, while mentioning Allah's name. Small precautions, even a stick laid across a pot, can prevent ruin.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1654 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 144