Muslim and al-Nasāʾī likewise transmit it (1) through the narration of Hishām.

Al-Bukhārī also relates (2): ‘Abd Allāh ibn Salamah narrated to us; Mālik narrated from ‘Abd Allāh ibn Dīnār, from Ibn ‘Umar, who said:

“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ pointing toward the horizon and saying, ‘Lo, the tribulation is there—indeed, the tribulation is there—from the direction where the horn of Satan rises.’”

Al-Bukhārī is the sole transmitter of this wording through this chain.

The Sunan collections further report that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade sitting in the place where sunlight and shade meet, saying, “That is the seat of Satan” (3).

Several explanations have been offered; one of the soundest is that sitting in such a spot distorts a person’s appearance, and Satan delights in distortion, for his own form is distorted. This notion is rooted in people’s minds. Hence the Most High says: “Its spathes are as though they were the heads of devils” (37:65). The correct view is that these are actual devils, not a species of serpent as some commentators have claimed—and Allah knows best. Human nature is innately disposed to find devils repulsive and angels beautiful, even without having seen them. For that reason the Almighty said: “Its spathes are as though they were the heads of devils” (37:65); and when the women beheld Joseph’s beauty they exclaimed, “Perfect is Allah! This is no mortal; this is none but a noble angel” (12:31).

Al-Bukhārī further narrates (4): Yahyā ibn Jaʿfar told us; Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh al-Anṣārī related; Ibn Jurayj informed me; ʿAṭāʾ told me, from Jābir, that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“When night falls—or when the first darkness of night descends—keep your children indoors, for the devils spread out then. When an hour of the night has passed, release them. Shut your door, mentioning the name of Allah; extinguish your lamp, mentioning the name of Allah; tie your waterskin, mentioning the name of Allah; and cover your vessel, mentioning the name of Allah—even if you place only a stick across it.”

Aḥmad (6) also transmits this report from Yahyā on the authority of Ibn Jurayj, adding: “For Satan does not open what is closed.”

Imām Aḥmad likewise says (7): Wakiʿ narrated to us, from Maṭar, from Abū l-Zubayr, from Jābir, who said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared:

“Shut your doors, cover your vessels, tie your waterskins, and extinguish your lamps, for Satan neither opens a closed door, nor lifts a cover, nor loosens a knot. And the ‘little wicked one’ may set the house ablaze upon its inhabitants”—meaning the mouse.