Bringing Children Indoors At Sunset

QUESTION:

Is there a specific time (in minutes, or when the time of Karaahat of performing Asr sets in) regarding when children should be indoors before Maghrib?

ANSWER:

Sayyiduna Jabir Radiallahu Anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “When it starts to become dark at night, keep your children indoors for the Shayaateen roam around at this time. When the time for Esha passes, you may let them out.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith #3280)

The commentators of Ahaadith mention that this time refers to when it becomes dark after sunset. No mention was made with regards to a duration of minutes. Based on this, one should try to get his children indoors before sunset.

قوله: (إذا كان جنح الليل) بضم الجيم وكسرها: ظلامه, ويقال: أجنح الليل واستنجح: إذا أقبل ظلامه (فتح الملهم 9/549)

ذكر مَعْنَاهُ: قَوْله: (إِذا استجنح) أَي: إِذا أظلم، ومادته: جِيم وَنون وحاء، وَقَالَ ابْن سَيّده: جنح اللَّيْل يجنح جنوحاً وجنحاً إِذا أظلم، وَيُقَال: إِذا أقبل ظلامه، والجنح، بِضَم الْجِيم وَكسرهَا لُغَتَانِ: بِضَم الْجِيم وَكسرهَا لُغَتَانِ، وأصل الجنح الْميل. وَقيل: جنح اللَّيْل أول مَا يظلم.(عمدة القاري شرح صحيح البخاري 15/237)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Muhammad Isa Ali

Date: 04 Dhul Qa’dah 1446 / 03 May 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb