The Supreme Shield Against Evil

Tafsir of Sheikh Abd al-Rahman al-Saadi

Sheikh as-Saadi writes: “These two suras contain seeking refuge with the Lord, the King and the God of mankind from all kinds of external evil (darkness, sorcery, the evil eye) and internal evil (whisperings in the breast).”

Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir

Ibn Kathir cites the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Nothing like these two suras has been revealed for protection!”

Tafsir al-Baghawi

“…from the evil of that which He has created…”

“…Say: ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak…’ The word “al-falaq” (daybreak) refers to the morning. This is the opinion of most of the commentators. It is reported from Ibn ‘Abbas that it is one of the prisons in Hell. Al-Kalbi said: “It is a valley in Hell.”

Al-Dahhak said: “The word al-falaq means all creatures.” But the first opinion is the generally accepted one.

“…from the evil of darkness when it envelops…” This refers to the moon when it is eclipsed and covered in darkness. The verb “waqaba” in this context means: to be eclipsed, to begin to disappear, becoming shrouded in darkness.

Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The word ‘ghasiq’ means the night when its darkness advances from the east and envelops everything in its gloom.” When night grows dark, the Arabs say: “ghasaqa al-layl wa aghsaqa” (the night grew dark or became gloomy). This is also the opinion of al-Hasan and Mujahid. That is, “the night when it arrives and begins.”

The verbal noun “wuqub” (arrival) means the beginning of night, caused by the setting of the sun.

Muqatil said: “That is, the darkness of night, when the approaching gloom extinguishes the light of day.”

There is also the opinion that night is called “ghasiq” because it is colder than the daytime. It is known that the word “ghasaq” also means cold.

“…from the evil of (sorceresses) who blow on knots (in cords) (when they perform sorcery)…” That is, (from the evil of) sorceresses who, spitting lightly, blow on the knots in a cord while chanting spells over them. Abu ‘Ubaydah said: “These are the daughters of Labid ibn al-A‘sam, who cast a spell on the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).”

“…from the evil of an envier when he envies!” That is, (from the evil of) the Jews, who envied the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). “…Say: ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind…’” “…the Sovereign of mankind…” “…the God of mankind…”

“…from the evil of the whisperer who withdraws…” That is, (from the evil of) Satan. The word “waswas” may be either a verbal noun (whispering) or a noun (a whisperer). Al-Zajjaj said: “That is, Satan, who is the source of whispering.”

The word “who withdraws” means: who returns. It refers to Satan, who assails a person’s heart; when the person remembers Allah, Satan withdraws, but if the person is heedless, he continues to whisper.

Qatadah said: “The withdrawing Satan pushes his nose into a person’s chest, like a dog’s nose. When the servant remembers his Lord, he withdraws.”

It is said that his head is like the head of a snake, which he places against the fruit of the heart, beguiling it and occupying it with conversation. When a person remembers Allah, he withdraws, but when he does not remember Him, he returns and (once again) places his head (beside the heart).

This is also what is meant in the following verse: “…who whispers in the breasts of mankind…” with a secret speech whose content reaches hearts in a manner inaudible to others. “…(and he is) from among the jinn and mankind…”

That is, just as the hidden whisperer enters among mankind, so too does he enter among the jinn; and just as he whispers to people, he also whispers to the jinn. This was said by al-Kalbi. In that case, “mankind” in the phrase “in the breasts of mankind” refers to the two categories of creatures mentioned afterward, namely, the race of jinn and the race of humans. That is, in the verse, the jinn were called “men,” just as they were called men in the surah “al-Jinn”: “And indeed, there were men from among mankind who sought refuge with men from among the jinn, and they only increased them in fear.” (Surah “al-Jinn,” verse 6).

Praise be to Allah, Who guided us to this; we would never have been guided to it ourselves had Allah not guided us. Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from Yourself; indeed, You are the Bestower. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, his family, and his Companions until the Day of Judgment. And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds!