Is it true that one should not consume the water or food from a container that has been left open at night? and why?

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Jabir (Radiallahu Anhu) relates that Nabi (Sallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) is reported to have said; “Cover your utensil, tie the mouth of your waterskin, lock your door, and turn off your lamp. Verily shaytan does not untie the mouth of a waterskin, open a locked door or uncover a utensil. [and if you find nothing to cover a utensil] then place a stick over it reciting the name of Allah Ta’ala [recite Bismillah]”.

(Muslim, Vol.13. Pg. 183-184, Dar AL-Marifa)

Imam Nawawi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) has stated the following benefits of covering a utensil: “Safeguard and protection against shaytan, waba [a harmful sickness that descends on one particular night of the year], dirt and impurities, and harmful insects and creatures. It may happen that something falls into a utensil and a person drinks it unmindfully, or at nighttime, someone uses that utensil and is harmed by its contents.

Utensils [covered or uncovered] kept in a cupboard are normally not exposed to the above dangers. Whilst it is permissible to eat from a utensil that was left open at night, extra precaution should be observed in doing so.

And Allah knows best

Wassalam

Ml. Safraz Mohammed,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa