Commentary on the aforementioned hadeeth | Sheikh Salih Al-Fawzan hafidhahullah

“That (i.e. the command to cover vessels at night) is because of there being a night during the year when some type of pandemic descends, so if it passes by a utensil that has been left uncovered it will be affected or some of that pandemic will enter it. But if it is covered, it will be safe from that by Allah's permission. This (hadeeth) contains the Prohibition of leaving vessels and utensils uncovered for fear of being affected by this pandemic which descends in some nights. It also indicates that one takes the (necessary) means of protection, as they say: 'الوقاية خير من العلاج' Prevention is better than cure.” [End of Translation]