What is the ruling on spilling food or drink if one forgot to cover it, fearing the epidemic mentioned in the Hadith: "Cover containers and tie up waterskins, for there is a night in the year when an epidemic descends, and it does not pass by an uncovered container or an untied waterskin except that some of that epidemic descends into it"? Does the Hadith include only open spaces or also houses? Is the roof of a house or closing a cupboard or oven considered sufficient? Does the ruling include empty containers? And what is the criterion for uncovering containers while eating?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded covering utensils at night to protect them from epidemics, devils, and insects. This command is a guidance towards worldly benefit, not an obligation.

If a utensil is left uncovered at night, it is neither forbidden nor disliked to use the food or drink contained within it, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, drank from an uncovered vessel.

The intended meaning of "utensil" in the hadith (definition) refers to what contains food and drink, but it apparently also includes empty utensils. It is more prudent to cover empty utensils or turn them upside down. If one is left uncovered, washing it is preferable, but it is not forbidden to benefit from it thereafter.

Closing doors is not sufficient in place of covering utensils. It is hoped that storing food in cupboards and refrigerators is enough to fulfill the prophetic etiquette, though it is more prudent to cover them even when they are inside the refrigerator.

Utensils are not to be covered while eating and drinking, as this is not from the Sunnah (definition) and may lead to extremism.