Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
I used to hear people talk about cleaning the dishes and kitchen before going to bed and not to leave scraps of food as satan will consume it, and it will also invite poverty. Are there such things in Islam?
Is there any truth to Satan eating uncovered food in the home?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) has indeed advised covering food containers and water vessels.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Cover you (food) containers, seal your (water) vessels, lock your doors and blow out your lamps. Surely, Shaytan can not untie a vessel, open a door, or uncover a container. Thus if any of you can only place a stick over his container and mention the name of Allah, he should do so….” [Muslim]
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Cover your food containers and seal your water vessels. Surely within the year is a night in which sickness descends. It does not pass by a container or a vessel uncovered, except that the sickness descends upon it.” [Muslim]
Wisdom
“The scholars have mentioned many pearls of wisdom for covering vessels. Two of them are mentioned in these narrations. Protection from Shaytan and from sickness (waba’) descends one night of the year. Third wisdom is protecting (the food) from getting dirty or impure. A fourth protects the food from insects and critters. And Allah knows best.” [Sharh al-Nawawi, Sahih Muslim]
Hope this helps
And Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani