These two Surahs, placed at the end of the Holy text in the present arrangement, were revealed to teach the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) and his followers how to seek Allah’s refuge from the unseen actions of sorcerers, devils and hostile human beings. According to authentic reports, some Jews cast a magical spell on the Holy Prophet (S.A.W). By virtue of the divine protection given to him, no magic could refrain or divert him from discharging his duties as a Prophet. However, the spell cast by the Jew made him to suffer from some disease. On that occasion, these two Surahs were revealed, and the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) was directed to recite them, after which he was freed from the influence of the witchcraft. Then the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) used to recite them every night before going to sleep.
SURAH AL-FALAQ
(The Break of Dawn)
With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful
Say, “I seek refuge with the Lord of the daybreak [1] from the evil of everything He has created, ¹[2] and from the evil of the dark night when it penetrates, 2[3] and from the evil of the women who blow on the knots, [4] and from the evil of an envier when he envies. 4[5]
2) Most of the sorcerers practice their sorcery in hours of night. Moreover, this is the time when all harmful creatures come out and try to subject people to their evil acts.
3) This is one of the ways generally adopted by sorcerers, especially by women practicing witchcraft.
4) Normally, the basic reason of using black magic against someone is jealousy. In addition, jealousy may prompt the envier to afflict other harms to a person. That is why it has been specifically mentioned in this context.
SURAH AN-NAS
(The Mankind)
With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful
Say, “I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, [1] the King of mankind, [2] the God of mankind, [3] from the evil of the whisperer who withdraws (when Allah’s name is pronounced), 1 [4] the one who whispers in the hearts of people, [5] whether from among the Jinn or Mankind. 2 [6]
1) ‘Whispering’ in this verse means evil thoughts and scruples created in one’s heart. Normally this is done by Satan, but when Allah’s name is pronounced and His refuge is sought, he withdraws from his evil act.
2) This is an indication that even human beings can cast evil thoughts in an indirect manner. One should beware of such people and seek Allah’s refuge from them.
