How long after sunset, before I can open my windows?

Question

It's Sunnah to close and lock windows and doors after sunset.

Is there a set time after sunset when it becomes ok within the Sunnah to re-open them?

Answer 1

I am assuming that you are talking about the hadith that is recorded in e.g. Bukhari 3280, 3304, 3316, 5623, 5624, 6295, 6296.

The apparent meaning of this hadith is that you keep the doors closed for the whole night and open it when needed in the morning. The purpose is to prevent pests and devils who roam in the night from entering the house and causing damage.

وقال ابن العربي: ظن قوم أن الأمر بغلق الأبواب عام في الأوقات كلها، وليس كذلك، وإنما هو مقيد بالليل

Ibn al-‘Arabi said: Some people think that the command to close doors is general and is applicable to all times, but that is not the case. Rather it is limited to the night.

^{— Fath al-Bari - translation from islamqa.info}