This text is taken from Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amini’s book: Sūraton aur Āyāt ke Fazā’il (Virtues of Surahs and Verses).
Al-Mu‘awwidhatayn are the last two surahs of the Qur’an. Each of them has eleven verses. In Surah al-Falaq the word “شر” (evil) occurs four times, because each “evil” mentioned is different from the other.
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سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں کہ رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا :
أنزلت على آيات لم ير مثلهن قط المعوذتين.
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“Verses have been revealed to me the like of which have never been seen before: al-Mu‘awwidhatayn (the two surahs of seeking refuge).”
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سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں:
أمرني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن أقرأ بالمعوذات دبر كل صلاة.
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم commanded me to recite al-Mu‘awwidhat (Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas) after every prayer.”
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله (no. 755) and Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله (no. 2004) both graded this hadith sahih.
The wisdom in this is that a person, after every salah, comes under the protection of Allah. Until the time he performs the next prayer, he remains safe from the evil of Shaytan.
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سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
كنت أقود برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ناقته فى السفر، فقال لي: يا عقبة، ألا أعلمك خير سورتين قرئنا؟ فعلمني قل أعوذ برب الفلق، وقل أعوذ برب الناس، قال: فلم يرني سررت بهما جدا، فلما نزل لصلاة الصبح صلى بهما صلاة الصبح للناس، فلما فرغ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من الصلاة التفت إلي، فقال: يا عقبة، كيف رأيت؟
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“I would lead the she-camel of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم during travel. He said to me: ‘O ‘Uqbah, shall I not teach you the best two surahs that we recite?’ Then he taught me: Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq and Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas. He noticed that I did not show much joy at them. When the time for Fajr came, he came out and led the people in Fajr with these two surahs. When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم finished the prayer, he turned to me and said: ‘O ‘Uqbah, how did you find them?’”
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله graded this hadith sahih (no. 535).
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سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں کہ رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا:
ألا أعلمك من خير سورة يقرؤها الناس؟ قلت : بلى ، فقرأ على : قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ وقُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ثم انتهى إلى الناس، وقد أقيمت الصلاة فصلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقرأ بهما ، ثم قال لي : اقرأهما كلما نمت وقمت .
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ‘Shall I not teach you some of the best surahs that people recite?’ I said: ‘Certainly.’ So he recited to me: Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas and Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq until he completed them. Then he came to the people and the prayer was established, and the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم led the prayer reciting both of them. Then he said to me: ‘Recite them whenever you go to sleep and whenever you wake up.’”
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سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
بينا أقود برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى نقب من تلك النقاب إذ قال : ألا تركب يا عقبة؟ فأجللت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن أركب مركب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ثم قال : ألا تركب يا عقبة؟ فأشفقت أن يكون معصية، فنزل وركبت هنيهة، ونزلت ، وركب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ثم قال : ألا أعلمك سورتين من خير سورتين قرأ بهما الناس ؟ فأقرأني قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ، وقُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ، فأقيمت الصلاة، فتقدم فقرأ بهما، ثم مر بي ، فقال : كيف رأيت يا عقبة بن عامر ؟ اقرأ بهما كلما نمت وقمت.
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“Once, during a journey, I was walking ahead of the riding animal of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, leading it through one of the passes. He suddenly said: ‘O ‘Uqbah, will you not ride?’ I felt awe due to the great status of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم and thought, ‘How can I ride the animal of the Messenger of Allah?’ A short while later he again said: ‘O ‘Uqbah, why do you not ride?’ I then feared that refusal might amount to disobedience. So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم dismounted and I mounted for a short distance; then I dismounted and he صلى الله عليه وسلم mounted again. He then said: ‘O ‘Uqbah, shall I not teach you two great surahs which people recite frequently?’ Then he recited to me Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq and Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas. Meanwhile, the prayer was established. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم stepped forward and led the people in prayer reciting these two surahs. Afterwards he passed by me and said: ‘O ‘Uqbah, how did you find them? Recite them whenever you sleep and whenever you wake up.’”
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله graded this hadith sahih (no. 534).
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سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں:
أهديت للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بغلة شهباء فركبها، وأخذ عقبة يقودها به، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لعقبة : اقرأ، قال : وما أقرأ يا رسول الله؟ قال : اقرأ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ﴿1﴾ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ فأعادها على حتى قرأتها، فعرف أني لم أفرح بها جدا، قال : لعلك تهاونت بها ، فما قمت يعني بمثلها .
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“A white mule was gifted to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. He mounted it, and I was holding its rein walking ahead. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said to me: ‘Recite!’ I said: ‘What shall I recite, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: ‘Recite: Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq (1) min sharri mā khalaq.’ He repeated it until I recited it. He then realised that I was not very delighted by it. So he said: ‘Perhaps you have taken it lightly. By Allah, I have never recited a surah in qiyam equal to it.’”
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سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
تبعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو راكب، فجعلت يدي على قدمه، فقلت : يا رسول الله، أقرثني إما من سورة هود، وإما من سورة يوسف، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يا عقبة بن عامر ، إنك لن تقرأ سورة أحب إلى الله، ولا أبلغ عنده من أن تقرأ : قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ، فإن استطعت أن لا تفوتك فى صلاة، فافعل.
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“Once I was walking behind the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم while he was riding. I placed my hand on his foot and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me (a surah) from Surah Hud or Surah Yusuf.’ The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ‘O ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir, you will not recite a surah more beloved to Allah, nor more lofty in rank with Him, than that you recite: Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq. If you can, then do not let any salah pass without reciting it in it.’”
Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله authenticated this hadith (nos. 798, 1842) and Imam al-Hakim رحمه الله declared its chain sahih (2/560).
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ایک صحابی رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى سفر والناس يعتقبون، وفي الظهر قلة، فحانت نزلة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ونزلتي ، فلحقني من بعدي، فضرب منكبي، فقال: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ، فقلت: أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ، فقرأها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وقرأتها معه، ثم قال: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ، فقرأها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وقرأتها معه، قال: إذا أنت صليت فاقرأ بهما.
A Companion رضي الله عنه narrates:
“We were with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم on a journey. The mounts were few, so the people would ride in turns. At one point, it was time for the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم and me to dismount. He came close to me from behind and tapped my shoulder, saying: ‘Recite Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq.’ So I recited: A‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم recited it and I recited along with him. Then he said: ‘Recite Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas.’ The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم recited it and I recited along with him. Then he said: ‘Whenever you pray, recite both of these surahs.’”
Hafiz al-Haythami رحمه الله comments:
رجاله رجال الصحيح .
“Its narrators are the narrators of Sahih al-Bukhari.”
Hafiz al-Suyuti رحمه الله declared its chain sahih.
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سیدنا عبد اللہ بن حبیب رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں:
كنت مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى طريق مكة، فأصبت خلوة من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فدنوت منه، فقال: قل، فقلت: ما أقول؟، قال: قل، قلت : ما أقول؟، قال: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ حتى ختمها، ثم قال: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ حتى ختمها، ثم قال: ما تعوذ الناس بأفضل منهما.
‘Abdullah ibn Habib رضي الله عنه narrates:
“I was with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم on the road to Makkah. I was blessed with some privacy with him and drew near to him. He said: ‘Say!’ I said: ‘What shall I say?’ He again said: ‘Say!’ I again asked: ‘What shall I say?’ He then recited Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq until he finished it, and then said: ‘Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas’ until he finished it. Then he said: ‘People have never sought refuge with anything better than these two (surahs).’”
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سیدہ عائشہ رضی اللہ عنہا بیان کرتی ہیں:
إن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا أوى إلى فراشه كل ليلة جمع كفيه، ثم نفث فيهما فقرأ فيهما قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ، وقُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ، وقُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ، ثم يمسح بهما ما استطاع من جسده، يبدأ بهما على رأسه ووجهه وما أقبل من جسده يفعل ذلك ثلاث مرات.
‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrates:
“Whenever the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم went to his bed every night, he would cup his hands together, blow into them, and then recite into them: Qul huwa Allahu ahad, Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq, and Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas. Then he would wipe with his hands over as much of his body as he could, starting with his head, his face, and the front of his body. He would do this three times.”
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سیدہ عائشہ رضی اللہ عنہا بیان کرتی ہیں :
إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا اشتكى يقرأ على نفسه بالمعوذات وينقت، فلما اشتد وجعه كنت أقرأ عليه وأمسح بيده رجاء بركتها .
‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrates:
“When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم became ill, he would recite al-Mu‘awwidhat over himself and blow (spittle) over himself. When his illness became severe, I would recite them over him and wipe him with his own hand, hoping for its blessing.”
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سیدنا ابوسعید خدری رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يتعوذ من عين الجان، ثم أعين الإنس، فلما نزلت المعوذتان، أخذهما وترك ما سوى ذلك.
Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to seek refuge from the evil eye of the jinn, and then from the evil eye of humans. When al-Mu‘awwidhatayn were revealed, he took to them and abandoned everything else (that he used to recite for ruqyah).”
Imam al-Tirmidhi رحمه الله said this hadith is hasan gharib.
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سیدنا عبد اللہ بن خبیب رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
خرجنا فى ليلة مطر، وظلمة شديدة، نطلب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليصلي لنا، فأدركناه، فقال: أصليتم؟ فلم أقل شيئا، فقال: قل، فلم أقل شيئا، ثم قال: قل، فلم أقل شيئا، ثم قال: قل، فقلت: يا رسول الله ما أقول؟ قال: قل قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ والمعوذتين حين تمسي، وحين تصبح، ثلاث مرات تكفيك من كل شيء .
‘Abdullah ibn Khubayb رضي الله عنه narrates:
“One rainy and very dark night, we left out searching for the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم so that he could lead us in prayer. We found him. He asked: ‘Have you prayed?’ I did not reply. He said: ‘Say.’ I still did not reply. He again said: ‘Say.’ I still did not reply. For the third time he said: ‘Say something!’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what shall I say?’ He said: ‘Say Qul huwa Allahu ahad and al-Mu‘awwidhatayn (Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas) three times in the evening and three times in the morning; they will suffice you from everything (harm).’”
Imam al-Tirmidhi رحمه الله graded this hadith hasan sahih.
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Hafiz Ibn Kathir رحمه الله (d. 774 AH) explains the meaning of Surah al-Nas as follows:
“In this surah, three attributes of Allah are mentioned: Lordship (Rabbubiyyah), Kingship (Mulk) and Godhood (Uluhiyyah). He is the Lord of everything, the Owner of everything, and the true God of everything. All things are His creation, His property, and engaged in His worship.
Therefore, He commands that whoever seeks protection and safety must seek refuge with that Exalted Being, who possesses all these perfect attributes. He alone is the one who can protect from the whisperings of the Shaytan who is appointed over man. Shaytan is attached to every human being. He beautifies evil deeds and sins for people, and leaves no effort undone in turning them away from the straight path. Only the one whom Allah protects is safe from his evil.”
Al-Mu‘awwidhatayn are the last two surahs of the Qur’an. Each of them has eleven verses. In Surah al-Falaq the word “شر” (evil) occurs four times, because each “evil” mentioned is different from the other.
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➊ “Unparalleled Verses Revealed to Me”
سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں کہ رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا :
أنزلت على آيات لم ير مثلهن قط المعوذتين.
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 814
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“Verses have been revealed to me the like of which have never been seen before: al-Mu‘awwidhatayn (the two surahs of seeking refuge).”
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➋ Reciting al-Mu‘awwidhatayn After Every Salah
سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں:
أمرني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن أقرأ بالمعوذات دبر كل صلاة.
Reference: ‘Amal al-Yawm wal-Laylah by Ibn al-Sunni: 123, chain sahih; Musnad Ahmad 4/155, chain sahih; also Abu Dawud: 1523; al-Nasa’i: 1327; Ahmad 4/201, chain hasan
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم commanded me to recite al-Mu‘awwidhat (Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas) after every prayer.”
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله (no. 755) and Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله (no. 2004) both graded this hadith sahih.
The wisdom in this is that a person, after every salah, comes under the protection of Allah. Until the time he performs the next prayer, he remains safe from the evil of Shaytan.
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➌ “Shall I Teach You the Best Two Surahs We Recite?”
سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
كنت أقود برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ناقته فى السفر، فقال لي: يا عقبة، ألا أعلمك خير سورتين قرئنا؟ فعلمني قل أعوذ برب الفلق، وقل أعوذ برب الناس، قال: فلم يرني سررت بهما جدا، فلما نزل لصلاة الصبح صلى بهما صلاة الصبح للناس، فلما فرغ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من الصلاة التفت إلي، فقال: يا عقبة، كيف رأيت؟
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud: 1482; Sunan al-Nasa’i: 5438, chain hasan
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“I would lead the she-camel of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم during travel. He said to me: ‘O ‘Uqbah, shall I not teach you the best two surahs that we recite?’ Then he taught me: Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq and Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas. He noticed that I did not show much joy at them. When the time for Fajr came, he came out and led the people in Fajr with these two surahs. When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم finished the prayer, he turned to me and said: ‘O ‘Uqbah, how did you find them?’”
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله graded this hadith sahih (no. 535).
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➍ “Shall I Not Teach You the Most Lofty Surahs People Recite?”
سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں کہ رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا:
ألا أعلمك من خير سورة يقرؤها الناس؟ قلت : بلى ، فقرأ على : قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ وقُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ثم انتهى إلى الناس، وقد أقيمت الصلاة فصلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقرأ بهما ، ثم قال لي : اقرأهما كلما نمت وقمت .
Reference: Fada’il al-Qur’an by Ibn al-Durais: 289; ‘Amal al-Yawm wal-Laylah by al-Nasa’i: 889, chain hasan
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ‘Shall I not teach you some of the best surahs that people recite?’ I said: ‘Certainly.’ So he recited to me: Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas and Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq until he completed them. Then he came to the people and the prayer was established, and the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم led the prayer reciting both of them. Then he said to me: ‘Recite them whenever you go to sleep and whenever you wake up.’”
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➎ “Ride, O ‘Uqbah – and Learn Two Great Surahs”
سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
بينا أقود برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى نقب من تلك النقاب إذ قال : ألا تركب يا عقبة؟ فأجللت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن أركب مركب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ثم قال : ألا تركب يا عقبة؟ فأشفقت أن يكون معصية، فنزل وركبت هنيهة، ونزلت ، وركب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ثم قال : ألا أعلمك سورتين من خير سورتين قرأ بهما الناس ؟ فأقرأني قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ، وقُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ، فأقيمت الصلاة، فتقدم فقرأ بهما، ثم مر بي ، فقال : كيف رأيت يا عقبة بن عامر ؟ اقرأ بهما كلما نمت وقمت.
Reference: Musnad Ahmad 4/144; Sunan al-Nasa’i: 5434; Musnad Abi Ya‘la: 1736; Mushkil al-Athar by al-Tahawi: 124, chain hasan
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“Once, during a journey, I was walking ahead of the riding animal of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, leading it through one of the passes. He suddenly said: ‘O ‘Uqbah, will you not ride?’ I felt awe due to the great status of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم and thought, ‘How can I ride the animal of the Messenger of Allah?’ A short while later he again said: ‘O ‘Uqbah, why do you not ride?’ I then feared that refusal might amount to disobedience. So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم dismounted and I mounted for a short distance; then I dismounted and he صلى الله عليه وسلم mounted again. He then said: ‘O ‘Uqbah, shall I not teach you two great surahs which people recite frequently?’ Then he recited to me Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq and Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas. Meanwhile, the prayer was established. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم stepped forward and led the people in prayer reciting these two surahs. Afterwards he passed by me and said: ‘O ‘Uqbah, how did you find them? Recite them whenever you sleep and whenever you wake up.’”
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله graded this hadith sahih (no. 534).
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➏ “You May Have Underestimated Their Value…”
سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں:
أهديت للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بغلة شهباء فركبها، وأخذ عقبة يقودها به، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لعقبة : اقرأ، قال : وما أقرأ يا رسول الله؟ قال : اقرأ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ﴿1﴾ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ فأعادها على حتى قرأتها، فعرف أني لم أفرح بها جدا، قال : لعلك تهاونت بها ، فما قمت يعني بمثلها .
Reference: Musnad Ahmad 4/149; Sunan al-Nasa’i: 5433; al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir by al-Tabarani 17/337; Mushkil al-Athar by al-Tahawi: 126, chain sahih
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“A white mule was gifted to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. He mounted it, and I was holding its rein walking ahead. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said to me: ‘Recite!’ I said: ‘What shall I recite, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: ‘Recite: Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq (1) min sharri mā khalaq.’ He repeated it until I recited it. He then realised that I was not very delighted by it. So he said: ‘Perhaps you have taken it lightly. By Allah, I have never recited a surah in qiyam equal to it.’”
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➐ “You Will Not Recite a Surah More Beloved to Allah…”
سیدنا عقبہ بن عامر رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
تبعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو راكب، فجعلت يدي على قدمه، فقلت : يا رسول الله، أقرثني إما من سورة هود، وإما من سورة يوسف، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يا عقبة بن عامر ، إنك لن تقرأ سورة أحب إلى الله، ولا أبلغ عنده من أن تقرأ : قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ، فإن استطعت أن لا تفوتك فى صلاة، فافعل.
Reference: Fada’il al-Qur’an by Abu ‘Ubayd: p. 271; Musnad Ahmad 4/155; Sunan al-Nasa’i 8/223; 2/122; chain sahih
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
“Once I was walking behind the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم while he was riding. I placed my hand on his foot and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me (a surah) from Surah Hud or Surah Yusuf.’ The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ‘O ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir, you will not recite a surah more beloved to Allah, nor more lofty in rank with Him, than that you recite: Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq. If you can, then do not let any salah pass without reciting it in it.’”
Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله authenticated this hadith (nos. 798, 1842) and Imam al-Hakim رحمه الله declared its chain sahih (2/560).
Reference: Sahih Ibn Hibban: 798, 1842; al-Mustadrak 2/560
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➑ “Recite Them in Every Salah”
ایک صحابی رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى سفر والناس يعتقبون، وفي الظهر قلة، فحانت نزلة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ونزلتي ، فلحقني من بعدي، فضرب منكبي، فقال: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ، فقلت: أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ، فقرأها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وقرأتها معه، ثم قال: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ، فقرأها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وقرأتها معه، قال: إذا أنت صليت فاقرأ بهما.
Reference: Musnad Ahmad 5/24, 79, chain sahih
A Companion رضي الله عنه narrates:
“We were with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم on a journey. The mounts were few, so the people would ride in turns. At one point, it was time for the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم and me to dismount. He came close to me from behind and tapped my shoulder, saying: ‘Recite Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq.’ So I recited: A‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم recited it and I recited along with him. Then he said: ‘Recite Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas.’ The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم recited it and I recited along with him. Then he said: ‘Whenever you pray, recite both of these surahs.’”
Hafiz al-Haythami رحمه الله comments:
رجاله رجال الصحيح .
“Its narrators are the narrators of Sahih al-Bukhari.”
Reference: Majma‘ al-Zawa’id 7/148
Hafiz al-Suyuti رحمه الله declared its chain sahih.
Reference: Al-Durr al-Manthur 8/684
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➒ “The Best Means of Seeking Refuge”
سیدنا عبد اللہ بن حبیب رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں:
كنت مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى طريق مكة، فأصبت خلوة من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فدنوت منه، فقال: قل، فقلت: ما أقول؟، قال: قل، قلت : ما أقول؟، قال: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ حتى ختمها، ثم قال: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ حتى ختمها، ثم قال: ما تعوذ الناس بأفضل منهما.
Reference: Sunan al-Nasa’i: 5431; Mu‘jam al-Sahabah by al-Baghawi: no. 1877; Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah by Abu Nu‘aym: 496, chain sahih
‘Abdullah ibn Habib رضي الله عنه narrates:
“I was with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم on the road to Makkah. I was blessed with some privacy with him and drew near to him. He said: ‘Say!’ I said: ‘What shall I say?’ He again said: ‘Say!’ I again asked: ‘What shall I say?’ He then recited Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq until he finished it, and then said: ‘Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas’ until he finished it. Then he said: ‘People have never sought refuge with anything better than these two (surahs).’”
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➓ The Nightly Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
سیدہ عائشہ رضی اللہ عنہا بیان کرتی ہیں:
إن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا أوى إلى فراشه كل ليلة جمع كفيه، ثم نفث فيهما فقرأ فيهما قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ، وقُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ، وقُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ، ثم يمسح بهما ما استطاع من جسده، يبدأ بهما على رأسه ووجهه وما أقبل من جسده يفعل ذلك ثلاث مرات.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 5017
‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrates:
“Whenever the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم went to his bed every night, he would cup his hands together, blow into them, and then recite into them: Qul huwa Allahu ahad, Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb il-falaq, and Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb in-nas. Then he would wipe with his hands over as much of his body as he could, starting with his head, his face, and the front of his body. He would do this three times.”
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⓫ Ruqyah of the Prophet ﷺ Upon Himself
سیدہ عائشہ رضی اللہ عنہا بیان کرتی ہیں :
إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا اشتكى يقرأ على نفسه بالمعوذات وينقت، فلما اشتد وجعه كنت أقرأ عليه وأمسح بيده رجاء بركتها .
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 5016; Sahih Muslim: 2192
‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrates:
“When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم became ill, he would recite al-Mu‘awwidhat over himself and blow (spittle) over himself. When his illness became severe, I would recite them over him and wipe him with his own hand, hoping for its blessing.”
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⓬ Abandoning Other Forms of Seeking Refuge
سیدنا ابوسعید خدری رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يتعوذ من عين الجان، ثم أعين الإنس، فلما نزلت المعوذتان، أخذهما وترك ما سوى ذلك.
Reference: Sunan al-Nasa’i: 5496; Sunan Ibn Majah: 3511; Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2058, chain hasan
Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to seek refuge from the evil eye of the jinn, and then from the evil eye of humans. When al-Mu‘awwidhatayn were revealed, he took to them and abandoned everything else (that he used to recite for ruqyah).”
Imam al-Tirmidhi رحمه الله said this hadith is hasan gharib.
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⓭ Protection Morning and Evening
سیدنا عبد اللہ بن خبیب رضی اللہ عنہ بیان کرتے ہیں :
خرجنا فى ليلة مطر، وظلمة شديدة، نطلب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليصلي لنا، فأدركناه، فقال: أصليتم؟ فلم أقل شيئا، فقال: قل، فلم أقل شيئا، ثم قال: قل، فلم أقل شيئا، ثم قال: قل، فقلت: يا رسول الله ما أقول؟ قال: قل قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ والمعوذتين حين تمسي، وحين تصبح، ثلاث مرات تكفيك من كل شيء .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud: 5082; Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 3575; Sunan al-Nasa’i: 5430, chain hasan
‘Abdullah ibn Khubayb رضي الله عنه narrates:
“One rainy and very dark night, we left out searching for the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم so that he could lead us in prayer. We found him. He asked: ‘Have you prayed?’ I did not reply. He said: ‘Say.’ I still did not reply. He again said: ‘Say.’ I still did not reply. For the third time he said: ‘Say something!’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what shall I say?’ He said: ‘Say Qul huwa Allahu ahad and al-Mu‘awwidhatayn (Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas) three times in the evening and three times in the morning; they will suffice you from everything (harm).’”
Imam al-Tirmidhi رحمه الله graded this hadith hasan sahih.
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⓮ The Thematic Meaning of Surah al-Nas (Ibn Kathir رحمه الله)
Hafiz Ibn Kathir رحمه الله (d. 774 AH) explains the meaning of Surah al-Nas as follows:
“In this surah, three attributes of Allah are mentioned: Lordship (Rabbubiyyah), Kingship (Mulk) and Godhood (Uluhiyyah). He is the Lord of everything, the Owner of everything, and the true God of everything. All things are His creation, His property, and engaged in His worship.
Therefore, He commands that whoever seeks protection and safety must seek refuge with that Exalted Being, who possesses all these perfect attributes. He alone is the one who can protect from the whisperings of the Shaytan who is appointed over man. Shaytan is attached to every human being. He beautifies evil deeds and sins for people, and leaves no effort undone in turning them away from the straight path. Only the one whom Allah protects is safe from his evil.”
Reference: Tafsir Ibn Kathir 6/589, tahqiq: ‘Abd al-Razzaq al-Mahdi
