Protection from Evils - Surah Al- Falaq

(Seerat Shahina, )

Al- Falaq means “the Daybreak” or “Dawn” in English. Chapter 113 is the penultimate chapter in Quran and is the first in a pair of chapters (113 & 114) that were revealed in Mecca at the same time. Their subject matter and themes are similar and they are known together as the 'Two Refuges' or “Al-Muawwidhatayn”, they form a natural pair. These two chapters are of immense benefit and every servant is in need of them, and this need is indispensable and essential. This Surah contains some divine teaching commands to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in particular, and to all Muslims, in general, to seek refuge with Allah from every kind of ill arising from outer nature, darkness, evil plotting and envy on the part of others. It remains a powerful call towards Allah, in which we can both, reaffirm our faith and seek protection at the same time.

Transliteration of Surah Al-Falaq
Bismi l-lāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm
Qul a’oodhu birabbil falaq
Min sharri maa khalaq
Wa min sharri ghaasiqin idha waqab
Wa min sharrin naffathaati fil ‘uqad
Wa min sharri haasidin idha hasad

Translation of Surah Al-Falaq
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak
From the evil of that which He created
And from the evil of darkness when it settles
And from the evil of the blowers in knots
And from the evil of an envier when he envies.

Surah Al- Falaq, as the Daybreak, refers to the removal of darkness and the manifestation of light. In Allah's created world, there are all kinds of forces and counter forces, especially those put in motion by beings who have been endowed with some sort of will. The forces of good may be compared to light, and those of evil to darkness. Allah can cleave the depths of darkness and produce light.

Therefore, we should throw away fear and seek refuge and the most successful form of refuge for all of these is possible in the light of knowledge for, without faith and certainty, intellect and wisdom, it is not possible to secure the refuge of God by escaping every kind of evil and to protect oneself therefrom. The source of all true light is Allah, and if we seek Him, we are free from ignorance, superstition, fear, and every kind of evil. Our trust in Allah is the refuge from every kind of fear, superstition, every kind of danger and evil.

Three special kinds of mischief are specified in the next three verses, against which our best guard is our trust in Allah, the Light of the heavens and the earth.

We are advised to seek refuge from the mischief of Darkness as it overspreads. Many people are afraid of physical darkness, and all are afraid of physical injuries, accidents, criminals and the perpetrators of wickedness, wild animals, and calamities. God commands us to seek refuge with Him from the evils and calamities which descend in darkness. We seek refuge with the Lord of the breaking dawn from the evils of the darkness.

We are also advised to seek refuge from the mischief of those who practise secret arts. It includes all forms of witchcraft and sorcery whereby they are deceived into acting or thinking in an unnatural way. There are many forms of witchcraft throughout the world and it almost always includes a belief that some people can influence others by certain rites, formulas or actions. The verse particularly refers to a form of witchcraft carried out by the women of Arabia at the time, tying knots in cords and blowing on them to cast spells. God is the ultimate Protector. Such secret arts cause psychological terror. They may be what is so called magic, or secret plottings, or the display of false and seductive charms (3:14) The one committing those evils i.e., so called magic, envy etc. would be sinful.

And we are advised to seek refuge from the mischief of the envious one as he practices envy. Malignant envy, translated into action, seeks to destroy the happiness or the material or spiritual good enjoyed by other people. The best guard against it is trust in Allah with purity of heart.

As for the attitude and conduct of the God-worshippers the Quran says that they seek Allah’s refuge for protection against the evil of everything that they fear, whether it is material or moral or spiritual. Thus, about Hadrat Maryum (May Allah be pleased with her) it has been said that when God’s angel appeared before her suddenly in human guise (when she did not know that he was an angel), she cried out: I seek the merciful God’s refuge from you, if you are a pious man.

“She said: "I seek refuge from thee to ((Allah)) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah." Surah Maryam” 19:18

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“O Ibn Aabis, shall I tell you about the best protection used
by those who seek it. He said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He(sws) said: “Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak.” and ‘Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind.’ “It is included in these two surahs.” (Abu Dawood)

Hadrat Aishah has reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray in these words:
“O God, I seek Your refuge from the mischief of the fire and from the evil of affluence and poverty”. (Tirmidhi, Abu Daud).

Hadrat Aishah has reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray, saying:
“O God, I seek Your refuge from the evil of the works which I did and from the evil of the works which I did not do.” (i.e., if I have done a wrong, I seek refuge from its evil results, and if I have not done a work which I should have done, I seek refuge from the loss that I have incurred, or from that I should do what I should not do). (Muslim).

There are evils which are harmful to mankind. God protects from the harm of evils. We should not fear, but having taken reason able precautions, we should trust in Allah. He is the world’s supreme and Al-Mighty nurturer and no doubt the best Protector and excellent Planner for us.


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