161 – Sixth
Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “A house in Madinah caught fire at night while its occupants were inside. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was informed of the incident he said, ‘This fire is an enemy to you, so when you go to sleep, extinguish it.’” Agreed upon.

Explanation
In the chapter urging adherence to the Sunnah and its etiquettes the author cites this ḥadith. The event took place during the Prophet’s ﷺ lifetime: a family’s house burned down during the night. When the news reached the Prophet ﷺ he declared, “This fire is an enemy to you; therefore, when you retire for the night, put it out.”

The fire that Allah created—bringing forth for it its fuel from the trees—is one of His favors to His servants. Allah, exalted is He, says: “Have you considered the fire you kindle? Was it you who produced its tree, or are We the One who produces it? We have made it a reminder and a provision for the wayfarers” (56:71-73).

He has made it a reminder: a person is to recall through it the Fire of Hell, for this worldly fire—whether fiercely hot or only mild—is but one-sixtieth part of Hellfire. May Allah protect me and you from it.

Thus Allah made fire a reminder. Indeed, some of the early Muslims, whenever tempted to commit a sin, would go to the fire, place a finger upon it, and say to themselves, “Remember this heat, so that your soul will not dare to perpetrate a sin that leads to the Fire.” We ask Allah