Say ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of the Daybreak the morning
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak. The road of the common servants, in keeping with the outwardness of this verse, is continually to seek refuge in the Lord of the world's folk from the evil of the bad, the deceit of the deceivers, the envy of the enviers, and the bad things that happen in the world. This is why MuṣṬafā said, “Seek refuge in God from the effort of trial, the grasp of wretchedness, the ugliness of the decree, and the schadenfreude of enemies.” He also used to say, “O God, I seek refuge in Thee from incapac- ity, indolence, cowardice, miserliness, senility, and the chastisement of the grave. O God, I seek refuge in Thee from poverty, paucity, and abasement, and I seek refuge in Thee from wronging and being wronged. I seek refuge in Thee from dissension, hypocrisy, and ugly character traits.” Such is the path of the common faithful: putting the outwardness of the Shariah into practice and, at the time of trial, lifting up the hands in supplication and pleading and asking for well-being from the Real. As for the road of the chevaliers of the Tariqah and the lords of the Haqiqah, it is surrender and approval. To this He alludes with His words, “Except for him who comes to God with a sound heart” [26:89]. It has been said, “Leave the governance to Him who created you and you will be at ease.” Leave the governance of the work to the Lord of the work. Surrender intervention in created things to the Creator. Put aside the road of protest. Do not oppose and meddle. Do not turn away from His threshold. Consider Him your trustee, guarantor, and care-taker. Then you will have acqui- esced to this command: “Take Him as a trustee” [73:9]. Whenever surrender to Him and approval of Him come together in a heart, that person will be joined with soundness as hard cash and that breast will be exempted from the blights of mortal nature. Surrender is the degree of Ishmael and Abraham. Abraham was addressed with the word “Submit!,” and he answered, “I submit” [2:131]. His son saw the mark of surrender from his father and, by his father's teaching, he put on the garment of surrender. The splendorous Qur'an reports the surrender of father and son: “When the two of them submitted” [37:103]. In this world sur- render is the peg of the religion and in that world it is the key to the Abode of Peace. Approval is that you be a servant who is pleased and happy with everything that happens, and you await God's decree. Surrender is that you turn over the work of the created things to the Creator.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak. The road of the common servants, in keeping with the outwardness of this verse, is continually to seek refuge in the Lord of the world's folk from the evil of the bad, the deceit of the deceivers, the envy of the enviers, and the bad things that happen in the world. This is why MuṣṬafā said, “Seek refuge in God from the effort of trial, the grasp of wretchedness, the ugliness of the decree, and the schadenfreude of enemies.” He also used to say, “O God, I seek refuge in Thee from incapac- ity, indolence, cowardice, miserliness, senility, and the chastisement of the grave. O God, I seek refuge in Thee from poverty, paucity, and abasement, and I seek refuge in Thee from wronging and being wronged. I seek refuge in Thee from dissension, hypocrisy, and ugly character traits.” Such is the path of the common faithful: putting the outwardness of the Shariah into practice and, at the time of trial, lifting up the hands in supplication and pleading and asking for well-being from the Real. As for the road of the chevaliers of the Tariqah and the lords of the Haqiqah, it is surrender and approval. To this He alludes with His words, “Except for him who comes to God with a sound heart” [26:89]. It has been said, “Leave the governance to Him who created you and you will be at ease.” Leave the governance of the work to the Lord of the work. Surrender intervention in created things to the Creator. Put aside the road of protest. Do not oppose and meddle. Do not turn away from His threshold. Consider Him your trustee, guarantor, and care-taker. Then you will have acqui- esced to this command: “Take Him as a trustee” [73:9]. Whenever surrender to Him and approval of Him come together in a heart, that person will be joined with soundness as hard cash and that breast will be exempted from the blights of mortal nature. Surrender is the degree of Ishmael and Abraham. Abraham was addressed with the word “Submit!,” and he answered, “I submit” [2:131]. His son saw the mark of surrender from his father and, by his father's teaching, he put on the garment of surrender. The splendorous Qur'an reports the surrender of father and son: “When the two of them submitted” [37:103]. In this world sur- render is the peg of the religion and in that world it is the key to the Abode of Peace. Approval is that you be a servant who is pleased and happy with everything that happens, and you await God's decree. Surrender is that you turn over the work of the created things to the Creator.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak. The road of the common servants, in keeping with the outwardness of this verse, is continually to seek refuge in the Lord of the world's folk from the evil of the bad, the deceit of the deceivers, the envy of the enviers, and the bad things that happen in the world. This is why MuṣṬafā said, “Seek refuge in God from the effort of trial, the grasp of wretchedness, the ugliness of the decree, and the schadenfreude of enemies.” He also used to say, “O God, I seek refuge in Thee from incapac- ity, indolence, cowardice, miserliness, senility, and the chastisement of the grave. O God, I seek refuge in Thee from poverty, paucity, and abasement, and I seek refuge in Thee from wronging and being wronged. I seek refuge in Thee from dissension, hypocrisy, and ugly character traits.” Such is the path of the common faithful: putting the outwardness of the Shariah into practice and, at the time of trial, lifting up the hands in supplication and pleading and asking for well-being from the Real. As for the road of the chevaliers of the Tariqah and the lords of the Haqiqah, it is surrender and approval. To this He alludes with His words, “Except for him who comes to God with a sound heart” [26:89]. It has been said, “Leave the governance to Him who created you and you will be at ease.” Leave the governance of the work to the Lord of the work. Surrender intervention in created things to the Creator. Put aside the road of protest. Do not oppose and meddle. Do not turn away from His threshold. Consider Him your trustee, guarantor, and care-taker. Then you will have acqui- esced to this command: “Take Him as a trustee” [73:9]. Whenever surrender to Him and approval of Him come together in a heart, that person will be joined with soundness as hard cash and that breast will be exempted from the blights of mortal nature. Surrender is the degree of Ishmael and Abraham. Abraham was addressed with the word “Submit!,” and he answered, “I submit” [2:131]. His son saw the mark of surrender from his father and, by his father's teaching, he put on the garment of surrender. The splendorous Qur'an reports the surrender of father and son: “When the two of them submitted” [37:103]. In this world sur- render is the peg of the religion and in that world it is the key to the Abode of Peace. Approval is that you be a servant who is pleased and happy with everything that happens, and you await God's decree. Surrender is that you turn over the work of the created things to the Creator.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak. The road of the common servants, in keeping with the outwardness of this verse, is continually to seek refuge in the Lord of the world's folk from the evil of the bad, the deceit of the deceivers, the envy of the enviers, and the bad things that happen in the world. This is why MuṣṬafā said, “Seek refuge in God from the effort of trial, the grasp of wretchedness, the ugliness of the decree, and the schadenfreude of enemies.” He also used to say, “O God, I seek refuge in Thee from incapac- ity, indolence, cowardice, miserliness, senility, and the chastisement of the grave. O God, I seek refuge in Thee from poverty, paucity, and abasement, and I seek refuge in Thee from wronging and being wronged. I seek refuge in Thee from dissension, hypocrisy, and ugly character traits.” Such is the path of the common faithful: putting the outwardness of the Shariah into practice and, at the time of trial, lifting up the hands in supplication and pleading and asking for well-being from the Real. As for the road of the chevaliers of the Tariqah and the lords of the Haqiqah, it is surrender and approval. To this He alludes with His words, “Except for him who comes to God with a sound heart” [26:89]. It has been said, “Leave the governance to Him who created you and you will be at ease.” Leave the governance of the work to the Lord of the work. Surrender intervention in created things to the Creator. Put aside the road of protest. Do not oppose and meddle. Do not turn away from His threshold. Consider Him your trustee, guarantor, and care-taker. Then you will have acqui- esced to this command: “Take Him as a trustee” [73:9]. Whenever surrender to Him and approval of Him come together in a heart, that person will be joined with soundness as hard cash and that breast will be exempted from the blights of mortal nature. Surrender is the degree of Ishmael and Abraham. Abraham was addressed with the word “Submit!,” and he answered, “I submit” [2:131]. His son saw the mark of surrender from his father and, by his father's teaching, he put on the garment of surrender. The splendorous Qur'an reports the surrender of father and son: “When the two of them submitted” [37:103]. In this world sur- render is the peg of the religion and in that world it is the key to the Abode of Peace. Approval is that you be a servant who is pleased and happy with everything that happens, and you await God's decree. Surrender is that you turn over the work of the created things to the Creator.
قل -أيها الرسول-: أعوذ وأعتصم برب الفلق، وهو الصبح.
سورة الفلق: قال الإمام أحمد حدثنا عفان حدثنا حماد بن سلمة أخبرنا عاصم بن بهدلة عن زر بن حبيش قال: قلت لأبي بن كعب إن ابن مسعود لا يكتب المعوذتين في مصحفه فقال أشهد أن رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم أخبرني أن جبريل عليه السلام قال له: قل "أعوذ برب الفلق" فقلتها قال: "قل أعوذ برب الناس" فقلتها فنحن نقول ما قال النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم. ورواه أبو بكر الحميدي في مسنده عن سفيان بن عيينة حدثنا عبدة بن أبي لبابة وعاصم بن بهدلة أنهما سمعا زر بن حبيش قال سألت أبى بن كعب عن المعوذتين فقلت يا أبا المنذر إن أخاك ابن مسعود يحك المعوذتين من المصحف فقال: إني سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال "قيل لي قل فقلت" فنحن نقول كما قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم. وقال أحمد حدثنا وكيع حدثنا سفيان عن عاصم عن زر قال سألت ابن مسعود عن المعوذتين فقال سألت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عنهما فقال "قيل لي فقلت لكم فقولوا" قال أبي فقال لنا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فنحن نقول; وقال البخاري حدثنا علي بن عبدالله حدثنا سفيان حدثنا عبدة بن أبي لبابة عن زر بن حبيش وحدثنا عاصم بن زر قال سألت أبي بن كعب فقلت أبا المنذر إن أخاك ابن مسعود يقول كذا وكذا فقال إني سألت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال "قيل لي فقلت" فنحن نقول كما قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ورواه البخاري أيضا والنسائي عن قتيبة عن سفيان بن عيينة عن عبدة وعاصم بن أبي النجود عن زر بن حبيش عن أبي بن كعب به. وقال الحافظ أبو يعلى حدثنا الأزرق بن علي حدثنا حسان بن إبراهيم حدثنا الصلت بن بهرام عن إبراهيم بن علقمة قال كان عبدالله يحك المعوذتين من المصحف ويقول إنما أمر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يتعوذ بهما ولم يكن عبدالله يقرأ بهما ورواه عبدالله بن أحمد من حديث الأعمش عن أبي إسحاق عن عبدالرحمن بن يزيد قال كان عبدالله يحك المعوذتين من مصاحفه ويقول إنهما ليستا من كتاب الله قال الأعمش وحدثنا عاصم عن زر بن حبيش عن أبى بن كعب قال سألنا عنهما رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "قيل لي فقلت "وهذا مشهور عند كثير من القراء والفقهاء وأن ابن مسعود كان لا يكتب المعوذتين في مصحفه فلعله لم يسمعهما من النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ولم يتواتر عنده ثم لعله قد رجع عن قوله ذلك إلى قول الجماعة فإن الصحابة رضي الله عنهم أثبتوهما في المصاحف الأئمة ونفذوها إلي سائر الآفاق كذلك ولله الحمد والمنة. وقد روى مسلم فى صحيحه حدثنا قتيبة حدثنا جرير عن بيان عن قيس بن أبي حازم عن عقبة بن عامر قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "ألم تر آيات انزلت هذه الليلة لم ير مثلهن قط "قل أعوذ برب الفلق" و "قل أعوذ برب الناس" ورواه أحمد ومسلم أيضا والترمذي والنسائي من حديث إسماعيل بن أبي خالد عن قيس بن أبي حازم عن عقبة وقال الترمذي حسن صحيح: "طريق أخرى" قال الإمام أحمد حدثنا الوليد بن مسلم حدثنا ابن جابر عن القاسم أبي عبدالرحمن عن عقبة بن عامر قال بينا أنا أقود برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في نقب من تلك النقاب إذ قال لي "يا عقبة ألا تركب" قال فأشفقت أن تكون معصية قال فنزل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وركبت هنية ثم ركب ثم قال "يا عقبة ألا أعلمك سورتين من خير سورتين قرأ بهما الناس" قلت بلى يا رسول الله فأقرأني "قل أعوذ برب الفلق" و "قل أعوذ برب الناس" ثم أقيمت الصلاة فتقدم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقرأ بهما ثم مر بي فقال "كيف رأيت يا عقب أقرأ بهما كلما نمت وكلما قمت" ورواه النسائي من حديث الوليد بن مسلم وعبدالله ابن المبارك كلاهما عن ابن جابر به ورواه أبو داود والنسائي أيضا من حديث ابن وهب عن ميمون بن صالح العلاء بن الحارث عن القاسم بن عبدالرحمن عن عقبة "طريق أخرى" قال أحمد حدثنا أبو عبدالرحمن حدثنا سعيد بن أبي أيوب حدثني يزيد بن عبدالعزيز الرعيني وأبو مرحوم عن يزيد بن محمد القرشى عن علي بن رباح عن عقبة بن عامر قال: أمرني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن أقرأ بالمعوذات في دبر كل صلاة ورواه أبو داود والترمذي والنسائي من طرق عن علي بن أبي رباح وقال الترمذي غريب. "طرق أخرى" قال أحمد حدثنا محمد بن إسحاق حدثنا ابن لهيعة عن مشرح بن عاهان عن عقبة بن عامر قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "اقرأ بالمعودتين فإنك لن تقرأ بمثلهما" تفرد به أحمد "طريق أخرى" قال أحمد حدثنا حيوة بن شريح حدثنا بقية حدثنا بجير بن سعد عن خالد بن معدان عن جبير بن نفير عن عقبة بن عامر أنه قال إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أهديت له بغلة شهباء فركبها فأخذ عقبة يقودها له فقال رسول الله اقرأ "قل أعوذ برب الفلق" فأعادها له حتى قرأها فعرف أني لم أفرح بها جدا فقال لعلك تهاونت بها؟ فما قمت تصلى بشيء مثلها" ورواه النسائي عن عمرو بن عثمان عن بقية به ورواه النسائي أيضا من حديث الثوري عن معاوية بن صالح عن عبدالرحمن بن نفير عن أبيه عن عقبة بن عامر أنه سأل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن المعوذتين فذكر نحوه "طريق أخرى" قال النسائي أخبرنا محمد بن عبدالأعلى حدثنا المعتمر سمعت النعمان عن زياد بن الأسد عن عقبة بن عامر أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إن الناس لم يتعوذوا بمثل هذين "قل أعوذ برب الفلق" و "قل أعوذ برب الناس". "طريق أخرى" قال النسائي أخبرنا قتيبة حدثنا الليث عن أبي عجلان عن سعيد المقبري عن عقبة بن عامر قال كنت أمشي مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال "يا عقبة قل" قلت ماذا أقول ؟ فسكت عني ثم قال "قل" قلت ماذا أقول يا رسول الله؟ قال "قل أعوذ برب الفلق" فقرأتها حتى أتيت على آخرها ثم قال "قل" فقلت: ماذا أقول يا رسول الله قال: "قل أعوذ برب الناس" فقرأتها ثم أتيت على آخرها ثم قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عند ذلك "ما سأل سائل بمثلها ولا استعاذ مستعيذ بمثلها" "طريق أخرى" قال النسائي أخبرنا محمد بن يسار حدثنا عبدالرحمن حدثنا معاوية عن العلاء بن الحارث عن مكحول عن عقبة بن عامر أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قرأ بهما فى صلاة الصبح "طريق أخرى" قال النسائي أخبرنا قتيبة حدثنا الليث عن يزيد بن أبي حبيب عن أبي عمران أسلم عن عقبة بن عامر قال اتبعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو راكب فوضعت يدي على قدميه فقلت أقرئني سورة هود أو سورة يوسف فقال "لن تقرأ شيئا أنفع عند الله من "قل أعوذ برب الفلق" "حديث آخر" قال النسائي أخبرنا محمود بن خالد حدثنا الوليد حدثنا أبو عمرو الأوزاعي عن يحيى بن أبي كثير عن محمد بن إبراهيم بن الحارث عن أبي عبدالله عن ابن عابس الجهني أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له "يا ابن عابس ألا أدلك - أو- ألا أخبرك بأفضل ما يتعوذ به المتعوذون؟ "قال بلى يا رسول الله قال "قل أعوذ برب الفلق" و "قل أعوذ برب الناس" هاتان السورتان فهذه طرق عن عقبة كالمتواترة عنه تفيد القطع عند كثير من المحققين في الحديث. وقد تقدم في رواية صدي بن عجلان وفروة بن مجاهد عنه "ألا أعلمك ثلاث سور لم ينزل في التوراة ولا في الإنجيل ولا في الزبور ولا في الفرقان مثلهن "قل هو الله أحد - وقل أعوذ برب الفلق- وقل أعوذ برب الناس" "حديث آخر" قال الإمام أحمد حدثنا إسماعيل حدثنا الجريري عن أبي العلاء قال: قال رجل كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في سفر والناس يعتقبون وفي الظهر قلة فحانت نزلة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ونزلتي فلحقني فضرب منكبي فقال "قل أعوذ برب الفلق" فقلت قل أعوذ برب الفلق فقرأها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقرأتها معه ثم قال "قل أعوذ برب الناس" فقرأها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقرأتها معه فقال "إذا صليت فاقرأ بهما" الظاهر أن هذا الرجل هو عقبة بن عامر والله أعلم ورواه النسائي عن يعقوب بن إبراهيم عن ابن علية به "حديث آخر" قال النسائي أخبرنا محمد بن المثنى حدثنا محمد بن جعفر عن عبدالله بن سعيد حدثني يزيد بن رومان عن عقبة بن عامر عن عبدالله الأسلمي هو ابن أنيس أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وضع يده على صدره ثم قال "قل" فلم أدر ما أقول ثم قال لى "قل" قلت "هو الله أحد" ثم قال لي قل قلت "أعوذ برب الفلق من شر ما خلق" حتى فرغت منها ثم قال لي قل قلت "أعوذ برب الناس" حتى فرغت منها فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "هكذا فتعوذ وما تعوذ المتعوذون بمثلهن قط" "حديث آخر" قال النسائي أنا عمرو بن علي أبو جعفر حدثنا بدل حدثنا شداد بن سعيد أبو طلحة عن سعيد الجريري حدثنا أبو نضرة عن جابر بن عبدالله قال: قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "اقرأ يا جابر" قلت وما أقرأ بأبي أنت وأمي؟ قال اقرأ "قل أعوذ برب الفلق"- و- "قل أعوذ برب الناس" "فقرأتهما فقال "اقرأ بهما ولن تقرأ بمثلهما" وتقدم حديث عائشة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقرأ بهن وينفث في كفيه ويمسح بهما رأسه ووجهه وما أقبل من جسده وقال الإمام مالك عن ابن شهاب عن عروة عن عائشة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا اشتكى يقرأ على نفسه بالمعوذتين وينفث فلما اشتد وجعه كنت اقرأ عليه بالمعوذات وأمسح بيده عليه رجاء بركتها ورواه البخاري عن عبدالله بن يوسف ومسلم عن يحيى بن يحيى وأبو داود عن القعنبي والنسائي عن قتيبة ومن حديث ابن القاسم وعيسى بن يونس وابن ماجه من حديث معن وبشر بن عمر ثمانيتهم عن مالك به. وتقدم في آخر سورة "ن" من حديث أبي نضرة عن أبي سعيد أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يتعوذ من أعين الجان وأعين الانسان فلما نزلت المعوذتين أخذ بهما وترك ما سواهما. رواه الترمذي والنسائي وابن ماجه وقال الترمذي حديث حسن صحيح قال ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا أحمد بن عصام حدثنا أبو أحمد الزبيري حدثنا حسن بن صالح عن عبدالله بن محمد بن عقيل عن جابر قال: الفلق الصبح وقال العوفي عن ابن عباس "الفلق" الصبح وروي عن مجاهد وسعيد بن جبير وعبدالله بن محمد بن عقيل والحسن وقتادة ومحمد بن كعب القرظي وابن زيد ومالك عن زيد بن أسلم مثل هذا قال القرظي وابن زيد وابن جرير وهي كقوله تعالى "فالق الإصباح" وقال علي بن أبي طلحة عن ابن عباس "الفلق" الخلق وكذا قال الضحاك أمر الله نبيه أن يتعوذ من الخلق كله وقال كعب الأحبار "الفلق" بيت في جهنم إذا فتح صاح جميع أهل النار من شدة حره ورواه ابن أبي حاتم ثم قال حدثنا أبي حدثنا سهيل بن عثمان عن رجل سماه عن السدي عن زيد بن علي عن آبائه أنهم قالوا "الفلق" جب في قعر جهنم عليه غطاء فإذا كشف عنه خرجت منه نار تضج منه جهنم من شدة حر ما يخرج منه وكذا روي عن عمرو بن عنبسة وابن عباس والسدي وغيرهم. وقد ورد في ذلك حديث مرفوع منكر فقال ابن جرير حدثني إسحاق بن وهب الواسطي حدثنا مسعود بن موسى بن مشكان الواسطي حدثنا نصر بن خزيمة الخراساني عن شعيب بن صفوان عن محمد بن كعب القرظي عن أبي هريرة عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال "الفلق جب فى جهنم مغطى" إسناده غريب ولا يصح رفعه. وقال أبو عبدالرحمن الحبلي "الفلق" من أسماء جهنم. قال ابن جرير والصواب القول الأول أنه فلق الصبح وهذا هو الصحيح وهو اختيار البخاري في صحيحه رحمه الله تعالى.
الفلق : أصله شق الشئ عن الشئ ، وفصل بعض عن بعض ، والمراد به هنا : الصبح ، وسمى فلقا لإِنفلاق الليل وانشقاقه عنه ، كما فى قوله - تعالى - : ( فَالِقُ الإصباح ) أى : شاقٌّ ظلمة آخر الليل عن بياض الفجر . .ويصح أن يكون المراد به ، كل ما يفلقه الله - تعالى - من مخلوقات كالأرض التى تنفلق عن النبات ، والجبال التى تنفلق عن عيون الماء . .أى : قل - أيها الرسول الكريم - أعوذ وأستجير وأعتصم ، بالله - تعالى - الذى فلق الليل ، فانشق عنه الصباح ، والذى هو رب جميع الكائنات ، ومبدع كل المخلوقات . .
القول في تأويل قوله جل ثناؤه وتقدست أسماؤه: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ (1)يقول تعالى ذكره لنبيه محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم: قل يا محمد، أستجير بربّ الفلق من شرّ ما خلق من الخلق.واختلف أهل التأويل في معنى ( الفلق ) فقال بعضهم: هو سجن في جهنم يسمى هذا الاسم.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثني الحسين بن يزيد الطحان، قال: ثنا عبد السلام بن حرب، عن إسحاق بن عبد الله، عمن حدثه عن ابن عباس قال: ( الفلق ): سجن في جهنم .حدثنا ابن بشار، قال: ثنا أبو أحمد الزبيري، قال: ثنا عبد السلام بن حرب، عن إسحاق بن عبد الله بن أبي فروة، عن رجل، عن ابن عباس، في قوله: ( الفَلَقِ ) : سجن في جهنم .حدثني يعقوب، قال: ثنا هشيم، قال: أخبرنا العوّام بن عبد الجبار الجولاني، قال: قَدم رجل من أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الشأم، قال: فنظر إلى دور أهل الذمة، وما هم فيه من العيش والنضارة، وما وُسِّع عليهم في دنياهم، قال: فقال: لا أبا لك أليس من ورائهم الفلق؟ قال: قيل: وما الفلق؟ قال: بيت في جهنم إذ فُتح هَرّ أهْلُ النار .حدثنا ابن بشار، قال: ثنا عبد الرحمن، قال: ثنا سفيان، قال: سمعت السديّ يقول: ( الفَلَق ) : جُب في جهنم .حدثني عليّ بن حسن الأزدي، قال: ثنا الأشجعيّ، عن سفيان، عن السديّ، مثله.حدثنا ابن حميد، قال: ثنا مهران، عن سفيان، عن السديّ، مثله.حدثني إسحاق بن وهب الواسطيُّ، قال: ثنا مسعود بن موسى بن مشكان الواسطيُّ، قال: ثنا نصر بن خُزَيمة الخراساني، عن شعيب بن صفوان، عن محمد بن كعب القُرَظِيِّ، عن أبي هُريرة، عن النبيّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: " الفَلَق: جبّ في جهنم مغطًّى " .حدثنا ابن البرقي، قال: ثنا ابن أبي مريم، قال: ثنا نافع بن يزيد، قال: ثنا يحيى بن أبي أسيد عن ابن عجلان، عن أبي عبيد، عن كعب، أنه دخل كنيسة فأعجبه حُسنها، فقال: أحسن عمل وأضلّ قوم، رضيت لكم الفلق، قيل: وما الفلق؟ قال: بيت في جهنم إذا فُتح صاح جميع أهل النار من شدّة حرّه .وقال آخرون: هو اسم من أسماء جهنم.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثني يونس، قال: أخبرنا ابن وهب، قال: سمعت خيثم بن عبد الله يقول: سألت أبا عبد الرحمن الحبلي، عن ( الفلق ) ، قال: هي جهنم .وقال آخرون: الفلق: الصبح.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثني محمد بن سعد، قال: ثني أبي، قال: ثني عمي، قال: ثني أبي، عن أبيه، عن ابن عباس: ( أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ) قال: ( الفلق ): الصبح .حدثنا ابن بشار، قال: ثنا ابن أبي عديّ، قال: أنبأنا عوف، عن الحسن، في هذه الآية ( قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ) قال: ( الفلق ): الصبح .قال: ثنا عبد الرحمن، قال: ثنا سفيان، عن سالم الأفطس، عن سعيد بن جُبير، قال: ( الفلق ) : الصبح .حدثنا أبو كُرَيب، قال: ثنا وكيع؛ وحدثنا ابن حميد، قال: ثنا مهران جميعا، عن سفيان، عن سالم الأفطس، عن سعيد بن جُبير، مثله.حدثني عليّ بن الحسن الأزدي، قال: ثنا الأشجعيّ، عن سفيان، عن سالم، عن سعيد بن جُبير، مثله.حدثنا أبو كُرَيب، قال: ثنا وكيع، عن الحسن بن صالح، عن عبد الله بن محمد بن عقيل، عن جابر، قال: ( الفَلَق ): الصبح .حدثنا ابن بشار، قال: ثنا أبو أحمد، قال: ثنا الحسن بن صالح، عن عبد الله بن محمد بن عقيل، عن جابر بن عبد الله، مثله.حدثني يونس، قال: أخبرنا ابن وهب، أخبرنا أبو صخر، عن القُرَظِيّ أنه كان يقول في هذه الآية: ( قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ) يقول: فالق الحبّ والنوى، قال: فالق الإصباح .حدثني محمد بن عمرو، قال: ثنا أبو عاصم، قال: ثنا عيسى؛ وحدثني الحارث، قال: ثنا الحسن، قال: ثنا ورقاء، جميعا، عن ابن أبي نجيح، عن مجاهد، في قوله: ( قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ) قال: الصبح .حدثنا بشر، قال: ثنا يزيد، قال: ثنا سعيد، عن قتادة ( قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ) قال: ( الفَلَق ): فَلق النهار .حدثنا ابن عبد الأعلى، قال: ثنا ابن ثور، عن معمر، عن قتادة، قال: ( الفلق ): فلق الصبح .حدثني يونس، قال: أخبرنا ابن وهب، قال: قال ابن زيد، في قول الله: ( قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ) قيل له: فلق الصبح؟ قال: نعم، وقرأ: فَالِقُ الإِصْبَاحِ وَجَعَلَ اللَّيْلَ سَكَنًا .وقال آخرون: ( الفلَق ): الخلق، ومعنى الكلام: قل أعوذ بربّ الخلق.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثني عليّ، قال: لنا أبو صالح، قال: ثني معاوية، عن عليّ، عن ابن عباس، في قوله: ( الفلق ) : يعني: الخلق .والصواب من القول في ذلك أن يقال: إن الله جلّ ثناؤه أمر نبيه محمدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يقول: ( أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ) والفلق في كلام العرب: فلق الصبح، تقول العرب: هو أبين من فَلَق الصُّبح، ومن فرق الصبح. وجائز أن يكون في جهنم سجن &; 24-702 &; اسمه فَلَق. وإذا كان ذلك كذلك، ولم يكن جلّ ثناؤه وضعَ دلالة على أنه عُنِي بقوله: ( بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ) بعض ما يُدْعَى الفلق دون بعض، وكان الله تعالى ذكره ربّ كل ما خلق من شيء، وجب أن يكون معنيا به كل ما اسمه الفَلَق، إذ كان ربّ جميع ذلك.
مدنية( قل أعوذ برب الفلق ) قال ابن عباس ، وعائشة - رضي الله عنهما - : كان غلام من اليهود يخدم رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - [ فدبت ] إليه اليهود ، فلم يزالوا به حتى أخذ مشاطة رأس النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - وعدة أسنان من مشطه ، فأعطاها اليهود فسحروه فيها ، وتولى ذلك لبيد بن الأعصم ، رجل من يهود ، فنزلت السورتان فيهأخبرنا أبو حامد أحمد بن عبد الله الصالحي ، أخبرنا أبو سعيد محمد بن موسى الصيرفي ، حدثنا أبو العباس محمد بن يعقوب الأصم ، حدثنا محمد بن عبد الله بن [ عبد الحكم ] أخبرنا أنس بن عياض عن [ هشام ] عن أبيه عن عائشة أن النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - : طب حتى أنه ليخيل إليه أنه قد صنع شيئا وما صنعه ، وأنه دعا ربه ، ثم قال : أشعرت أن الله تعالى أفتاني فيما استفتيته فيه ؟ فقالت عائشة : وما ذاك يا رسول الله ؟ قال : جاءني رجلان فجلس أحدهما عند رأسي والآخر عند رجلي . فقال أحدهما لصاحبه : ما وجع الرجل ؟ قال الآخر : هو مطبوب . قال : من طبه ؟ قال لبيد بن الأعصم قال : في ماذا ؟ قال : في مشط ومشاطة وجف طلعة ذكر . قال : فأين هو ؟ قال : في ذروان - وذروان بئر في بني زريق - قالت عائشة : فأتاها رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ثم رجع إلى عائشة ، فقال : والله لكأن ماءها نقاعة الحناء ، ولكأن نخلها رءوس الشياطين . قالت : فقلت له : يا رسول الله هلا أخرجته ؟ قال : " أما أنا فقد شفاني الله ، فكرهت أن أثير على الناس به شرا " .وروي أنه كان تحت صخرة في البئر ، فرفعوا الصخرة وأخرجوا جف الطلعة ، فإذا فيه مشاطة رأسه ، وأسنان مشطهأخبرنا المطهر بن علي الفارسي ، أخبرنا محمد بن إبراهيم الصالحاني ، حدثنا عبد الله بن محمد بن جعفر أبو الشيخ الحافظ ، أخبرنا ابن أبي عاصم ، حدثنا أبو بكر بن أبي شيبة ، حدثنا أبو معاوية عن الأعمش عن يزيد بن حيان بن أرقم قال : سحر النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - رجل من اليهود ، قال : فاشتكى لذلك أياما . قال : فأتاه جبريل ، فقال : إن رجلا من اليهود سحرك وعقد لك عقدا ، فأرسل رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - عليا فاستخرجها فجاء بها ، فجعل كلما حل عقدة وجد لذلك خفة ، فقام رسول الله كأنما نشط من عقال ، فما ذكر ذلك لليهود ولا رأوه في وجهه قط .قال مقاتل والكلبي : كان في وتر عقد عليه إحدى عشرة عقدة . وقيل : كانت العقد مغروزة بالإبرة ، فأنزل الله هاتين السورتين وهما إحدى عشرة آية . سورة الفلق خمس آيات ، وسورة الناس ست آيات ، كلما قرئت آية انحلت عقدة ، حتى انحلت العقد كلها ، فقام النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - كأنما نشط من عقال .وروي : أنه لبث فيه ستة أشهر واشتد عليه ثلاث ليال ، فنزلت المعوذتان .أخبرنا إسماعيل بن عبد القاهر ، أخبرنا عبد الغافر بن محمد ، أخبرنا محمد بن عيسى الجلودي ، حدثنا إبراهيم بن محمد بن سفيان ، حدثنا مسلم بن الحجاج ، حدثنا بشر بن هلال الصواف ، حدثنا [ عبد الوارث ] حدثنا عبد العزيز بن صهيب ، عن أبي نضرة ، عن أبي سعيد : أن جبريل - عليه السلام - أتى النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فقال : يا محمد اشتكيت ؟ قال : نعم ، فقال : " بسم الله أرقيك من كل شيء يؤذيك من شر كل نفس أو عين حاسد الله يشفيك ، بسم الله أرقيك والله يشفيك " .قوله - عز وجل - : ( قل أعوذ برب الفلق ) أراد بالفلق : الصبح ، وهو قول جابر بن عبد الله والحسن ، وسعيد بن جبير ، ومجاهد ، وقتادة ، وأكثر المفسرين ، وهي رواية العوفي عن ابن عباس ، بدليل قوله " فالق الإصباح " .وروي عن ابن عباس : إنه سجن في جهنم . وقال الكلبي : واد في جهنم .وقال الضحاك : يعني الخلق ، وهي رواية الوالبي عن ابن عباس ، والأول هو المعروف .
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ (1) الأمر بالقول يقتضي المحافظة على هذه الألفاظ لأنها التي عينها الله للنبيء صلى الله عليه وسلم ليتعوذ بها فإجابتُها مرجوة ، إذ ليس هذا المقول مشتملاً على شيء يُكلف به أو يُعمل حتى يكون المراد : قل لهم كذا كما في قوله : { قل هو الله أحد } [ الإخلاص : 1 ] ، وإنما هو إنشاء معنى في النفس تدل عليه هذه الأقوال الخاصة .وقد روي عن ابن مسعود في أنه سأل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عن المعوذتين فقال : " قِيل لي قُل فقلتُ لكم فقولوا " . يريد بذلك المحافظة على هذه الألفاظ للتعوذ وإذ قد كانت من القرآن فالمحافظة على ألفاظها متعينة والتعوذ يحصل بمعناها وبألفاظها حتى كَلِمة { قُل .والخطاب بقُل } للنبيء صلى الله عليه وسلم وإذ قد كان قرآناً كان خطاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم به يشمل الأمة حيث لا دليل على تخصيصه به ، فلذلك أمر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بعضَ أصحابه بالتعوذ بهذه السورة ولذلك أيضاً كان يعوِّذ بهما الحَسَن والحُسَيْن كما ثبت في «الصحيح» ، فتكون صيغة الأمر الموجهة إلى المخاطب مستعملة في معنَيي الخطاب من توجُّهه إلى معيّن وهو الأصل ، ومن إرادة كلّ من يصح خطابُه وهو طريق من طرق الخطاب تدل على قصده القرائن ، فيكون من استعمال المشترك في معنييه .واستعمال صيغة التكلم في فعل { أعوذ } يتبع ما يراد بصيغة الخطاب في فعل { قل } فهو مأمور به لكل من يريد التعوذ بها .وأما تعويذُ قارئها غيرَه بها كما ورد أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعوذ بالمعوذتين الحسن والحسين ، وما رُوي عن عائشة قالت : «إن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان ينفث على نفسه في المرض الذي مات فيه بالمعوِّذات ، فلما ثَقُل كنت أنفث عليه بهن وأمْسح بيدِ نفسه لبركتها» ، فذلك على نية النيابة عمن لا يحسن أن يعوذ نفسه بنفسه بتلك الكلمات لعجز أو صغر أو عدم حفظ .والعَوْذ : اللجأ إلى شيء يقِي من يلجأُ إليه ما يخافه ، يُقال : عاذ بفلان ، وعاذ بحصن ، ويقال : استعاذ ، إذا سأل غيره أن يُعيذه قال تعالى : { فاستعِذ باللَّه إنه سميع عليم } [ الأعراف : 200 ] . وعاذ من كذا ، إذا صار إلى ما يعيذه منه قال تعالى : { فاستعذ باللَّه من الشيطان الرجيم } [ النحل : 98 ] .و { الفلق } : الصبح ، وهو فَعَل بمعنى مفعول مثل الصَّمَد لأن الليل شبه بشَيء مغلق ينفلق عن الصبح ، وحقيقة الفَلْق : الانشقاق عن باطن شيء ، واستعير لظهور الصبح بعد ظلمة الليل ، وهذا مثل استعارة الإخراج لظهور النور بعد الظلام في قوله تعالى : { وأغطش ليلها وأخرج ضحاها } [ النازعات : 29 ] ، واستعارة السلخ له في قوله تعالى : { وآية لهم الليل نسلخ منه النهار } [ يس : 37 ] .وربُّ الفلق : هو الله ، لأنه الذي خلق أسبابَ ظهور الصبح ، وتخصيص وصف الله بأنه رب الفلق دون وصف آخر لأن شراً كثيراً يحدث في الليل من لصوص ، وسباع ، وذوات سموم ، وتعذر السير ، وعُسر النجدة ، وبُعد الاستغاثة واشتداد آلام المرضى ، حتى ظن بعض أهل الضلالة الليل إله الشر .والمعنى : أعوذ بفالق الصبح مَنجاةً من شرور الليل ، فإنه قادر على أن ينجيني في الليل من الشر كما أنجى أهل الأرض كلهم بأن خلق لهم الصبح ، فوُصفَ الله بالصفة التي فيها تمهيدٌ للإِجابة .
أي: { قل } متعوذًا { أَعُوذُ } أي: ألجأ وألوذ، وأعتصم { بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ } أي: فالق الحب والنوى، وفالق الإصباح.
تفسير سورة الفلقوهي خمس آياتو هي مكية في قول الحسن وعكرمة وعطاء وجابر ، ومدنية في أحد قولي ابن عباس وقتادة وهذه السورة وسورة ( الناس ) و ( الإخلاص ) : تعوذ بهن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - حين سحرته اليهود ؛ على ما يأتي . وقيل : إن المعوذتين كان يقال لهما المقشقشتان ؛ أي تبرئان من النفاق . وقد تقدم . وزعم ابن مسعود أنهما دعاء تعوذ به ، وليستا من القرآن ؛ خالف به الإجماع من الصحابة وأهل البيت . قال ابن قتيبة : لم يكتب عبد الله بن مسعود في مصحفه المعوذتين ؛ لأنه كان يسمع رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يعوذ الحسن والحسين - رضي الله عنهما - بهما ، فقدر أنهما بمنزلة : أعيذكما بكلمات الله التامة ، من كل شيطان وهامة ، ومن كل عين لامة . قال أبو بكر الأنباري : وهذا مردود على ابن قتيبة ؛ لأن المعوذتين من كلام رب العالمين ، المعجز لجميع المخلوقين ؛ و ( أعيذكما بكلمات الله التامة ) من قول البشر بين . وكلام الخالق الذي هو آية لمحمد - صلى الله عليه وسلم - خاتم النبيين ، وحجة له باقية على جميع الكافرين ، لا يلتبس بكلام الآدميين ، على مثل عبد الله بن مسعود الفصيح اللسان ، العالم باللغة ، العارف بأجناس الكلام ، وأفانين القول . وقال بعض الناس : لم يكتب عبد الله المعوذتين لأنه أمن عليهما من النسيان ، فأسقطهما وهو يحفظهما ؛ كما أسقط فاتحة الكتاب من مصحفه ، وما يشك في حفظه وإتقانه لها . فرد هذا القول على قائله ، واحتج عليه بأنه قد كتب : إذا جاء نصر الله والفتح ، و إنا أعطيناك الكوثر ، و قل هو الله أحد وهن يجرين مجرى المعوذتين في أنهن غير طوال ، والحفظ إليهن أسرع ، ونسيانهن مأمون ، وكلهن يخالف فاتحة الكتاب ؛ إذ الصلاة لا تتم إلا بقراءتها . وسبيل كل ركعة أن تكون المقدمة فيها قبل ما يقرأ من بعدها ، فإسقاط فاتحة الكتاب [ ص: 226 ] من المصحف ، على معنى الثقة ببقاء حفظها ، والأمن من نسيانها ، صحيح ، وليس من السور ما يجري في هذا المعنى مجراها ، ولا يسلك به طريقها . وقد مضى هذا المعنى في سورة ( الفاتحة ) . والحمد لله .بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم قل أعوذ برب الفلقروى النسائي عن عقبة بن عامر ، قال : أتيت النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - وهو راكب ، فوضعت يدي على قدمه ، فقلت : أقرئني سورة ( هود ) أقرئني سورة يوسف . فقال لي : " لن تقرأ شيئا أبلغ عند الله من قل أعوذ برب الفلق " . وعنه قال : بينا أنا أسير مع النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - بين الجحفة والأبواء ، إذ غشتنا ريح مظلمة شديدة ، فجعل رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يتعوذ بـ أعوذ برب الفلق ، و أعوذ برب الناس ، ويقول : " يا عقبة ، تعوذ بهما فما تعوذ متعوذ بمثلهما " . قال : وسمعته يقرأ بهما في الصلاة . وروى النسائي عن عبد الله قال : أصابنا طش وظلمة ، فانتظرنا رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يخرج . ثم ذكر كلاما معناه : فخرج رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ليصلي بنا ، فقال : قل . فقلت : ما أقول ؟ قال : " قل هو الله أحد والمعوذتين حين تمسي ، وحين تصبح ثلاثا ، يكفيك كل شيء " .وعن عقبة بن عامر الجهني قال : قال لي رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - : " قل " . قلت : ما أقول ؟ قال : [ ص: 227 ] " قل : قل هو الله أحد . قل أعوذ برب الفلق . قل أعوذ برب الناس - فقرأهن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ، ثم قال : لم يتعوذ الناس بمثلهن ، أو لا يتعوذ الناس بمثلهن " . وفي حديث ابن عباس ( قل أعوذ برب الفلق وقل أعوذ برب الناس ، هاتين السورتين ) . وفي صحيح البخاري ومسلم عن عائشة أن النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - كان إذا اشتكى قرأ على نفسه بالمعوذتين وينفث ، كلما اشتد وجعه كنت أقرأ عليه ، وأمسح عنه بيده ، رجاء بركتها . النفث : النفخ ليس معه ريق .ثبت في الصحيحين من حديث عائشة أن النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - سحره يهودي من يهود بني زريق ، يقال له لبيد بن الأعصم ، حتى يخيل إليه أنه كان يفعل الشيء ولا يفعله ، فمكث كذلك ما شاء الله أن يمكث - في غير الصحيح : سنة - ثم قال : " يا عائشة أشعرت أن الله أفتاني فيما استفتيته فيه . أتاني ملكان ، فجلس أحدهما عند رأسي ، والآخر عند رجلي ، فقال الذي عند رأسي للذي عند رجلي : ما شأن الرجل ؟ قال : مطبوب . قال ومن طبه ؟ قال لبيد بن الأعصم . قال في ماذا ؟ قال في مشط ومشاطة وجف طلعة ذكر ، تحت راعوفة في بئر ذي أروان " فجاء البئر واستخرجه . انتهى الصحيح .وقال ابن عباس : " أما شعرت يا عائشة أن الله تعالى أخبرني بدائي " . ثم بعث عليا والزبير وعمار بن ياسر ، فنزحوا ماء تلك البئر كأنه نقاعة الحناء ، ثم رفعوا الصخرة وهي الراعوفة - صخرة تترك أسفل البئر يقوم عليها المائح ، وأخرجوا الجف ، فإذا مشاطة رأس إنسان ، وأسنان من مشط ، وإذا وتر معقود فيه إحدى عشرة عقدة مغرزة بالإبر ، فأنزل الله تعالى هاتين السورتين ، وهما إحدى عشرة آية على عدد تلك العقد ، وأمر أن يتعوذ بهما ؛ فجعل كلما قرأ آية انحلت عقدة ، ووجد النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - خفة ، حتى انحلت العقدة الأخيرة ، فكأنما أنشط من عقال ، وقال : ليس به بأس . وجعل جبريل يرقي رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فيقول : " باسم الله أرقيك ، من كل شيء يؤذيك ، من شر حاسد وعين ، والله يشفيك " . فقالوا : يا رسول الله ، ألا نقتل الخبيث . فقال : " أما أنا فقد شفاني الله ، وأكره أن [ ص: 228 ] أثير على الناس شرا " . وذكر القشيري في تفسيره أنه ورد في الصحاح : أن غلاما من اليهود كان يخدم النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ، فدست إليه اليهود ، ولم يزالوا به حتى أخذ مشاطة رأس النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - . والمشاطة ( بضم الميم ) : ما يسقط من الشعر عند المشط . وأخذ عدة من أسنان مشطه ، فأعطاها اليهود ، فسحروه فيها ، وكان الذي تولى ذلك لبيد بن الأعصم اليهودي . وذكر نحو ما تقدم عن ابن عباس .تقدم في ( البقرة ) القول في السحر وحقيقته ، وما ينشأ عنه من الآلام والمفاسد ، وحكم الساحر ؛ فلا معنى لإعادته .قوله تعالى : الفلق اختلف فيه ؛ فقيل : سجن في جهنم ؛ قاله ابن عباس . وقال أبي بن كعب : بيت في جهنم إذا فتح صاح أهل النار من حره . وقال الحبلي أبو عبد الرحمن : هو اسم من أسماء جهنم . وقال الكلبي : واد في جهنم . وقال عبد الله بن عمر : شجرة في النار . سعيد بن جبير : جب في النار . النحاس : يقال لما اطمأن من الأرض فلق ؛ فعلى هذا يصح هذا القول . وقال جابر بن عبد الله والحسن وسعيد بن جبير أيضا ومجاهد وقتادة والقرظي وابن زيد : الفلق ، الصبح . وقاله ابن عباس . تقول العرب : هو أبين من فلق الصبح وفرق الصبح . وقال الشاعر :يا ليلة لم أنمها بت مرتفقا أرعى النجوم إلى أن نور الفلقوقيل : الفلق : الجبال والصخور تنفرد بالمياه ؛ أي تتشقق . وقيل : هو التفليق بين الجبال والصخور ؛ لأنها تتشقق من خوف الله - عز وجل - . قال زهير :ما زلت أرمقهم حتى إذا هبطت أيدي الركاب بهم من راكس فلقاالراكس : بطن الوادي . وكذلك هو في قول النابغة :[ وعيد أبي قابوس في غير كنهه ] أتاني ودوني راكس فالضواجعوالراكس أيضا : الهادي ، وهو الثور وسط البيدر ، تدور عليه الثيران في الدياسة . وقيل : الرحم تنفلق بالحيوان . وقيل : إنه كل ما انفلق عن جميع ما خلق من الحيوان والصبح والحب [ ص: 229 ] والنوى ، وكل شيء من نبات وغيره ؛ قاله الحسن وغيره . قال الضحاك : الفلق الخلق كله ؛ قال :وسوس يدعو مخلصا رب الفلق سرا وقد أون تأوين العقققلت : هذا القول يشهد له الاشتقاق ؛ فإن الفلق الشق . فلقت الشيء فلقا أي شققته . والتفليق مثله . يقال : فلقته فانفلق وتفلق . فكل ما انفلق عن شيء من حيوان وصبح وحب ونوى وماء فهو فلق ؛ قال الله تعالى : فالق الإصباح قال : فالق الحب والنوى . وقال ذو الرمة يصف الثور الوحشي :حتى إذا ما انجلى عن وجهه فلق هاديه في أخريات الليل منتصبيعني بالفلق هنا : الصبح بعينه . والفلق أيضا : المطمئن من الأرض بين الربوتين ، وجمعه : فلقان ؛ مثل خلق وخلقان ، وربما قال : كان ذلك بفالق كذا وكذا ؛ يريدون المكان المنحدر بين الربوتين ، والفلق أيضا مقطرة السجان . فأما الفلق ( بالكسر ) : فالداهية والأمر العجب ؛ تقول منه : أفلق الرجل وافتلق . وشاعر مفلق ، وقد جاء بالفلق أي بالداهية . والفلق أيضا : القضيب يشق باثنين ، فيعمل منه قوسان ، يقال لكل واحدة منهما فلق ، وقولهم : جاء بعلق فلق ؛ وهي الداهية ؛ لا يجرى [ مجرى عمر ] . يقال منه : أعلقت وأفلقت ؛ أي جئت بعلق فلق . ومر يفتلق في عدوه ؛ أي يأتي بالعجب من شدته .
This chapter, containing five verses, was revealed at Makkah. It is a prayer for protection. The title of the chapter is derived from verse no. 1, which asks people to seek refuge in ‘the Lord of the Dawn or Daybreak’ from every kind of ill arising from outer nature and from the envy and the dark and evil plottings of others. God is the One who rends the darkness of night and brings out from it the light of dawn. It is this God who can remove the dark clouds of trouble overshadowing a man and bring him into the sunshine of well-being. The present world has been made with a view to putting human beings to the test. So, here there is evil along with good. The only way for man to be safe from the ill effects of evil is to seek refuge in God against it. Evil is of different kinds. For example, the mischief indulged in by evil-hearted people in the dead of the night, and the practitioners of witchcraft. Similarly, there are individuals who, seeing others living prosperously, become jealous and make the latter the victims of their jealousy-inspired actions. A believer should seek refuge in God from the mischief of all such people, and undoubtedly it is God alone who has the power to protect man from all kinds of evil.
Preliminary Remarks
This and the next Surah were revealed on the same occasion, and in the same event, as will be explained in the 'cause of revelation'. Hafiz Ibn-ul-Qayyim has, therefore, written their commentary together. He writes that their blessings and benefits are abundant. All of the people require them and no one can dispense with them. They are very efficacious remedy for sorcery or magical spell, evil eye, and for all of the physical and spiritual calamities. In fact, if its reality is grasped fully, people will understand that they require it more than their breath, food, water, clothing and everything else.
Cause of Revelation
Musnad of Ahmad records that a Jewish person cast a magical spell on the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، as a result of which he fell ill. Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) came to him and informed him that a particular Jew had cast a spell on him, that he had tied knots in his hair to accomplish this objective, and it is thrown into a particular well. The Holy Prophet ﷺ sent some of his Companions to bring it from the well Jibra'l (علیہ السلام) had described. The Holy Prophet ﷺ untied the knots, and he was instantly cured. Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) informed him of the name of the Jew and the Holy Prophet ﷺ knew the culprit, but it was not in keeping with his compassionate disposition to avenge anyone in his personal matter. Therefore, this was never brought to the attention of the Jew guilty of the black magic, nor did any sign of complaint ever appear on the blessed face of the Holy Prophet ﷺ . Being a hypocrite, he regularly attended the Holy Prophet's ﷺ gatherings.
The details of this incident are recorded in Sahih of Bukhari on the authority of Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ that a Jewish man cast a magic spell on the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، as a result of which he sometimes felt confused whether or not he had done something. One day the Holy Prophet ﷺ said to Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ that Allah has shown him what his illness was and added: "Two men came to me in my dream. One of them sat by my head side while the other sat by my feet, and the following conversation ensued:
Question: 'What is wrong with this man?'
Answer: 'He is bewitched.'
Question: 'Who has bewitched him?'
Answer: 'Labid Ibn A` sam. He is a member of the tribe of Banu Zuraiq who is an ally of the Jews, a hypocrite.'
Question: 'With what did he bewitch him?'
Answer: 'With a comb and hair from the comb.'
Question: 'Where is the comb?'
Answer: In the dried bark of a male date palm under a rock in a well called Dharwan.' "
Sayyidah 'A'ishah ؓ says that the Holy Prophet ﷺ went to the well to remove the comb with the hair and said: "This is the well I was shown in my dream." He removed it from the well. Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ asked the Holy Prophet ﷺ . "Will you not make this public?" He replied: "Allah has cured me and I hate to cause harm to anyone." This implies that the Holy Prophet ﷺ did not want to be the cause anyone's molestation, death or destruction, because this is what would have exactly happened if the incident was publicised.
According to a narration in Musnad of Ahmad, this illness of the Holy Prophet ﷺ lasted for six months. According to other narratives, some of the Companions knew that this wicked act was performed by Labid Ibn A'sam, and they courteously said to the Holy Prophet ﷺ : "Why should we not kill this wicked person?" He made the same reply to them as he did to Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ . According to Imam Tha` lab s narration, a Jewish boy was the attendant of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ، the hypocritical Jew flattered the boy and talked him into getting for him strands of the Prophet's ﷺ hair from his comb, and a few of its teeth. Having obtained these items, he tied eleven knots on a string and a needle was stuck into each knot. Labid then placed this spell in the spathe of a male palm tree, and buried it under a stone in a well. On this occasion, the two Surahs were revealed, comprising eleven verses. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited one verse at a time and untied one knot each time, until all the knots were untied, and he felt freed from the tension of the witchcraft. [ All these narratives have been adapted from Ibn Kathir.]
Magic and its effect on the Holy Prophet ﷺ
Some people are surprised that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ should be affected by black magic. This is because some people do not have a complete grasp of how magic operates. It actually operates under physical causes, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was not immune to the influence of physical causes, as for instance feeling the burning or heating sensation of fire, and feeling the cooling sensation of water; or certain natural factors causing fever or body temperature to rise; or other factors causing aches and pains, and other illnesses. The Holy Prophet ﷺ ، or any other prophet for that matter, was not immune to the effects of such natural or physical causes. They can be affected by the hidden operations of magic which are no less natural or physical. Please see Surah Baqarah, Ma’ ariful Qur'an, Vol. 1/ pp 264-278 for fuller explanation, especially p. 276 on 'Magic and Prophets'.
Mu'awwadhatain are Surahs that afford protection against physical and spiritual afflictions
It is a settled doctrine of every believer that Allah is the intrinsic cause of every gain and loss in this world as well as in the next world. Without the Divine will not a jot of gain or loss can be caused to anyone. The only way to fortify against all physical and spiritual injuries and harm is for man to place himself under the protection of Allah, and by his actions he should attempt to make himself capable of entering the Divine shelter.
Surah Al-Falaq directs how to seek the Divine protection against worldly calamities, and Surah An-Nas tells the way to seek Divine protection against the calamities of the Hereafter.
Virtues of Mu'awwadhatain
Sahih of Muslim records a Tradition on the authority of Sayyidna 'Uqbah Ibn ` Amir ؓ who reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Do you not see that there have been revealed to me verses tonight the like of which has not been seen before? Those are Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas." According to another narration, the like of Mu'awwadhatain has not revealed even in Torah, Injil, or Zabar or anywhere else in the Qur'an. Another narration of Sayyidna 'Uqbah Ibn ` Amir ؓ reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught him Mu'awwadhatain while they were on a journey. Then he recited them in the maghrib salah and said: "Recite these two Surahs whenever you go to sleep and whenever you get up." [ Nasa'i ] According to another report, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has advised people to recite these two Surahs after every salah [ Transmitted by Abu Dad and Nasa'i ].
Imam Malik (رح) recorded from Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ : "whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ suffered from an ailment, he would recite the Mu'awwadhatain, blow over his hands, and then wiped his whole body with those hands. When his pain became acute on his death-bed, I would recite the Mu'awwadhatain, blow over his hands, and then he wiped them over himself, because my hands could not be the fitting substitute for his blessed hands. [ All these narratives have been adapted from Ibn Kathir ].
Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Khubayb ؓ reports that it was raining one night and the sky had become intensely dark. We went out looking for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ، and when he was found, he said: "Say." He asked: "What should I say?" He said: "Recite قُلْ هُوَ اللَّـهُ أَحَدٌ and Mu'awwadhatain. Reciting them thrice in the morning and thrice in the evening will fortify you against all kinds of perturbations."
In sum, it was the practice of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions to recite these two Surahs to protect themselves against all types of privations, trials and tribulations of life in this world, as well as of life in the next world.
Lexicological Analysis of important words and interpretation of the Surah
Verse [ 113:1] قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ (Say, "I seek refuge with the Lord of the Daybreak." ) The word falaq means 'to split or cleave' and here it is used in the sense of 'break of dawn'. In another verse, a similar quality of Allah is used in [ 6:96] فَالِقُ الْإِصْبَاحِ. ([ He is ] the One who causes the dawn to break). Of all the Divine attributes, this particular attribute is used presumably because the darkness of night often causes evils and difficulties, and the daylight removes them. This attribute of Allah points to the fact that anyone who seeks protection in Allah, He will remove all afflictions from him. [ Mazhari ]
And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of Daybreak): '(Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of Daybreak) He says: Say, O Muhammad, I seek protection, and it is said: I seek refuge, in the Lord of daybreak; and it is also said that al-falaq refers to a well in the Fire; and it is also said that al-falaq is a valley in the Fire.
Say, �I seek refuge in the Lord of the Daybreak,He said:Truly God, Exalted is He, commanded him [the Prophet] in these two sūras [113 and 114] to take refuge (iʿtiṣām) in Him, seek help (istiʿāna) from Him, and show [his] need (faqr) for Him.He was asked, �What is showing [one�s] need?� He replied:It is the [substitution of one] state by another (huwa�l-ḥāl bi�l-ḥāl), for the natural disposition (ṭabʿ) is dead [in and of itself] and its life is in displaying this. He also said:The best form of purification (ṭahāra) is that the servant purifies himself from [the illusion of] his own power (ḥawl) and strength (quwwa). Every act or saying that is not accompanied by the words: �there is no power or strength save in God�, will not have God�s support, Mighty and Majestic is He. Furthermore, every saying which is not accompanied by the proviso, will incur a punishment for [the person who said it], even if it was an act [or saying] of righteousness.And for every affliction (muṣība) which is received without being accompanied by the saying of �return� (istirjāʿ), the afflicted person will not be given steadfastness when facing it [affliction] on the Day of Resurrection.He said:According to Ibn ʿAbbās y, al-falaq means the morning (ṣubḥ) while according to al-Ḍaḥḥāk it refers to a valley in the Hellfire. [On the other hand], according to Wuhayb it refers to a chamber in Hell, and according to Ḥasan it refers to a well in Hell.It has also been said that He intended by it all people (jamīʿ al-khalq). Or it has been said that it refers to the rock from which water springs forth.
Which was revealed in Makkah
The Position of Ibn Mas`ud concerning Al-Mu`awwidhatayn
Imam Ahmad recorded from Zirr bin Hubaysh that Ubayy bin Ka`b told him that Ibn Mas`ud did not record the Mu`awwidhatayn in his Mushaf (copy of the Qur'an). So Ubayy said, "I testify that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed me that Jibril said to him,
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq.")(113:1) So he said it. And Jibril said to him,
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.") (114:1) So he said it. Therefore, we say what the Prophet said."
The Virtues of Surahs Al-Falaq and An-Nas
In his Sahih, Muslim recorded on the authority of `Uqbah bin `Amir that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«أَلَمْ تَرَ آيَاتٍ أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةَ لَمْ يُرَ مِثْلُهُنَّ قَطُّ:
(Do you not see that there have been Ayat revealed to me tonight the like of which has not been seen before) They are
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ »
(Say: "I seek refuge with, the Lord of Al-Falaq.")(113:1) and;
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.") (114:1)) This Hadith was recorded by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i. At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih."
Another Narration
Imam Ahmad recorded from `Uqbah bin `Amir that he said, "While I was leading the Messenger of Allah ﷺ along one of these paths he said,
«يَا عُقْبَةُ أَلَا تَرْكَبُ؟»
(O `Uqbah! Will you not ride) I was afraid that this might be considered an act of disobedience. So the Messenger of Allah ﷺ got down and I rode for a while. Then he rode. Then he said,
«يَا عُقْبَةُ، أَلَا أُعَلِّمُكَ سُورَتَيْنِ مِنْ خَيْرِ سُورَتَيْنِ قَرَأَ بِهِمَا النَّاسُ؟»
(O `Uqbah! Should I not teach you two Surahs that are of the best two Surahs that the people recite) I said, `Of course, O Messenger of Allah.' So he taught me to recite
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq.") (113:1) and
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.") (114:1) Then the call was given to begin the prayer and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ went forward (to lead the people), and he recited them in the prayer. Afterwards he passed by me and said,
«كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَ يَا عُقَيْبُ، اقْرَأْ بِهِمَا كُلَّمَا نِمْتَ وَكُلَّمَا قُمْتَ»
(What do you think, O `Uqayb Recite these two Surahs whenever you go to sleep and whenever you get up.)"
An-Nasa'i and Abu Dawud both recorded this Hadith.
Another Narration
«إِنَّ النَّاسَ لَمْ يَتَعَوَّذُوا بِمِثْلِ هَذَيْنِ:
(Verily, the people do not seek protection with anything like these two:
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq.")(113:1) and;
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ »
(Say: "I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind.")) (114:1)
Another Narration
An-Nasa'i recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir said, "I was walking with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he said,
«يَا عُقْبَةُ قُلْ»
(O `Uqbah! Say!) I replied, `What should I say' So he was silent and did not respond to me. Then he said,
«قُلْ»
(Say!) I replied, `What should I say, O Messenger of Allah' He said,
«قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ »
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq.") So, I recited it until I reached its end. Then he said,
«قُلْ»
(Say!) I replied, `What should I say O Messenger of Allah' He said,
«قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ »
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.") So, I recited it until I reached its end. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«مَا سَأَلَ سَائِلٌ بِمِثْلِهَا، وَلَا اسْتَعَاذَ مُسْتَعِيذٌ بِمِثْلِهَا»
(No person beseeches with anything like these, and no person seeks refuge with anything like these.)"
Another Hadith
An-Nasa'i recorded that Ibn `Abis Al-Juhani said that the Prophet said to him,
«يَا ابْنَ عَابِسٍ أَلَا أَدُلُّكَ أَوْ أَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِأَفْضَلِ مَا يَتَعَوَّذُ بِهِ الْمُتَعَوِّذُونَ؟»
(O Ibn `Abis! Shall I guide you to -- or inform you -- of the best thing that those who seek protection use for protection) He replied, "Of course, O Messenger of Allah!" The Prophet said,
«قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
هَاتَانِ السُّورَتَانِ»
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq.")( and (Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.")( These two Surahs (are the best protection).) Imam Malik recorded from `A'ishah that whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was suffering from an ailment, he would recite the Mu`awwidhatayn over himself and blow (over himself). Then if his pain became severe, `A'ishah said that she would recite the Mu`awwidhatayn over him and take his hand and wipe it over himself seeking the blessing of those Surahs. Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah all recorded this Hadith.
It has been reported from Abu Sa`id that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to seek protection against the evil eyes of the Jinns and mankind. But when the Mu`awwi- dhatayn were revea- led, he used them (for protection) and aban- doned all else besides them. At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah recorded this. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih."
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Jabir said, "Al-Falaq is the morning." Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas, "Al-Falaq is the morning." The same has been reported from Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Abdullah bin Muhammad bin `Aqil, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi and Ibn Zayd. Malik also reported a similar statement from Zayd bin Aslam. Al-Qurazi, Ibn Zayd and Ibn Jarir all said, "This is like Allah's saying,
فَالِقُ الإِصْبَاحِ
(He is the Cleaver of the daybreak.)." (6:96) Allah said,
مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
(From the evil of what He has created,) This means from the evil of all created things. Thabit Al-Bunani and Al-Hasan Al-Basri both said, "Hell, Iblis and his progeny, from among that which He (Allah) created."
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
(And from the evil of the Ghasiq when Waqab,) Mujahid said, "Ghasiq is the night, and `when it Waqab' refers to the setting of the sun." Al-Bukhari mentioned this from him. Ibn Abi Najih also reported a similar narration from him (Mujahid).
The same was said by Ibn `Abbas, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Ad-Dahhak, Khusayf, Al-Hasan and Qatadah. They said, "Verily, it is the night when it advances with its darkness." Az-Zuhri said,
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
(And from the evil of the Ghasiq when Waqab,) "This means the sun when it sets." Abu Al-Muhazzim reported that Abu Hurayrah said,
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
(And from the evil of the Ghasiq when Waqab, ) "This means the star." Ibn Zayd said, "The Arabs used to say, `Al-Ghasiq is the declination (of the position) of the heavenly body known as Pleiades. The number of those who were ill and stricken with plague would increase whenever it would decline, and their number would lessen whenever it rose."'
Ibn Jarir said, "Others have said that it is the moon."
The support for the people who hold this position (that it means the moon) is a narration that Imam Ahmad recorded from Al-Harith bin Abi Salamah. He said that `A'ishah said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took me by my hand and showed me the moon when it rose, and he said,
«تَعَوَّذِي بِاللهِ مِنْ شَرِّ هَذَا الْغَاسِقِ إِذَا وَقَبَ»
(Seek refuge with Allah from the evil of this Ghasiq when it becomes dark.)" At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i both recorded this Hadith in their Books of Tafsir in their Sunans. Allah said,
وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّـثَـتِ فِى الْعُقَدِ
(And from the evil of the blowers in knots,) Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak all said, "This means the witches." Mujahid said, "When they perform their spells and blow into the knots."
In another Hadith it has been reported that Jibril came to the Prophet and said, "Are you suffering from any ailment, O Muhammad" The Prophet replied,
«نَعَمْ»
(Yes.) So Jibril said, "In the Name of Allah, I recite prayer (Ruqyah) over you, from every illness that harms you, from the evil of every envious person and evil eye. May Allah cure you."
Discussion of the Bewitchment of the Prophet
In the Book of Medicine of his Sahih, Al-Bukhari recorded that `A'ishah said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was bewitched until he thought that he had relations with his wives, but he had not had relations with them." Sufyan said, "This is the worst form of magic when it reaches this stage." So the Prophet said,
«يَا عَائِشَةُ، أَعَلِمْتِ أَنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَفْتَانِي فِيمَا اسْتَفْتَيْتُهُ فِيهِ؟ أَتَانِي رَجُلَانِ فَقَعَدَ أَحَدُهُمَا عِنْدَ رَأْسِي وَالْاخَرُ عِنْدَ رِجْلَيَّ، فَقَال الَّذِي عِنْدَ رَأْسِي لِلْاخَرِ: مَا بَالُ الرَّجُلِ؟ قَالَ: مَطْبُوبٌ، قَالَ: وَمَنْ طَبَّهُ، قَالَ: لَبِيدُ بْنُ أَعْصَمَ: رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي زُرَيْقٍ حَلِيفٌ لِيَهُودَ، كَانَ مُنَافِقًا، قَالَ: وَفِيمَ؟ قَالَ: فِي مُشْطٍ وَمُشَاطَةٍ، قَالَ: وَأَيْنَ؟ قَالَ: فِي جُفِّ طَلْعَةٍ ذَكَرٍ، تَحْتَ رَاعُوفَةٍ فِي بِئْرِ ذَرْوَانَ»
(O `A'ishah! Do you know that Allah has answered me concerning that which I asked Him Two men came to me and one of them sat by my head while the other sat by my feet. The one who was sitting by my head said to the other one, `What is wrong with this man' The other replied, `He is bewitched.' The first one said, `Who bewitched him' The other replied, `Labid bin A`sam. He is a man from the tribe of Banu Zurayq who is an ally of the Jews, and a hypocrite.' The first one asked, `With what (did he bewitch him)' The other replied, `With a comb and hair from the comb.' The first one asked, `Where (is the comb)' The other answered, `In the dried bark of a male date palm under a rock in a well called Dharwan.') `A'ishah said, "So he went to the well to remove it (the comb with the hair). Then he said,
«هَذِهِ الْبِئْرُ الَّتِي أُرِيتُهَا، وَكَأَنَّ مَاءَهَا نُقَاعَةُ الحِنَّاءِ،وَكَأَنَّ نَخْلَهَا رُؤُوسُ الشَّيَاطِين»
(This is the well that I saw. It was as if its water had henna soaked in it and its palm trees were like the heads of devils.) So he removed it (of the well). Then I (`A'ishah) said, `Will you not make this public' He replied,
«أَمَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ شَفَانِي، وَأَكْرَهُ أَنْ أُثِيرَ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ شَرًّا»
(Allah has cured me and I hate to spread (the news of) wickedness to any of the people.)"
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak. The road of the common servants, in keeping with the outwardness of this verse, is continually to seek refuge in the Lord of the world's folk from the evil of the bad, the deceit of the deceivers, the envy of the enviers, and the bad things that happen in the world. This is why MuṣṬafā said, “Seek refuge in God from the effort of trial, the grasp of wretchedness, the ugliness of the decree, and the schadenfreude of enemies.” He also used to say, “O God, I seek refuge in Thee from incapac- ity, indolence, cowardice, miserliness, senility, and the chastisement of the grave. O God, I seek refuge in Thee from poverty, paucity, and abasement, and I seek refuge in Thee from wronging and being wronged. I seek refuge in Thee from dissension, hypocrisy, and ugly character traits.” Such is the path of the common faithful: putting the outwardness of the Shariah into practice and, at the time of trial, lifting up the hands in supplication and pleading and asking for well-being from the Real. As for the road of the chevaliers of the Tariqah and the lords of the Haqiqah, it is surrender and approval. To this He alludes with His words, “Except for him who comes to God with a sound heart” [26:89]. It has been said, “Leave the governance to Him who created you and you will be at ease.” Leave the governance of the work to the Lord of the work. Surrender intervention in created things to the Creator. Put aside the road of protest. Do not oppose and meddle. Do not turn away from His threshold. Consider Him your trustee, guarantor, and care-taker. Then you will have acqui- esced to this command: “Take Him as a trustee” [73:9]. Whenever surrender to Him and approval of Him come together in a heart, that person will be joined with soundness as hard cash and that breast will be exempted from the blights of mortal nature. Surrender is the degree of Ishmael and Abraham. Abraham was addressed with the word “Submit!,” and he answered, “I submit” [2:131]. His son saw the mark of surrender from his father and, by his father's teaching, he put on the garment of surrender. The splendorous Qur'an reports the surrender of father and son: “When the two of them submitted” [37:103]. In this world sur- render is the peg of the religion and in that world it is the key to the Abode of Peace. Approval is that you be a servant who is pleased and happy with everything that happens, and you await God's decree. Surrender is that you turn over the work of the created things to the Creator.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak. The road of the common servants, in keeping with the outwardness of this verse, is continually to seek refuge in the Lord of the world's folk from the evil of the bad, the deceit of the deceivers, the envy of the enviers, and the bad things that happen in the world. This is why MuṣṬafā said, “Seek refuge in God from the effort of trial, the grasp of wretchedness, the ugliness of the decree, and the schadenfreude of enemies.” He also used to say, “O God, I seek refuge in Thee from incapac- ity, indolence, cowardice, miserliness, senility, and the chastisement of the grave. O God, I seek refuge in Thee from poverty, paucity, and abasement, and I seek refuge in Thee from wronging and being wronged. I seek refuge in Thee from dissension, hypocrisy, and ugly character traits.” Such is the path of the common faithful: putting the outwardness of the Shariah into practice and, at the time of trial, lifting up the hands in supplication and pleading and asking for well-being from the Real. As for the road of the chevaliers of the Tariqah and the lords of the Haqiqah, it is surrender and approval. To this He alludes with His words, “Except for him who comes to God with a sound heart” [26:89]. It has been said, “Leave the governance to Him who created you and you will be at ease.” Leave the governance of the work to the Lord of the work. Surrender intervention in created things to the Creator. Put aside the road of protest. Do not oppose and meddle. Do not turn away from His threshold. Consider Him your trustee, guarantor, and care-taker. Then you will have acqui- esced to this command: “Take Him as a trustee” [73:9]. Whenever surrender to Him and approval of Him come together in a heart, that person will be joined with soundness as hard cash and that breast will be exempted from the blights of mortal nature. Surrender is the degree of Ishmael and Abraham. Abraham was addressed with the word “Submit!,” and he answered, “I submit” [2:131]. His son saw the mark of surrender from his father and, by his father's teaching, he put on the garment of surrender. The splendorous Qur'an reports the surrender of father and son: “When the two of them submitted” [37:103]. In this world sur- render is the peg of the religion and in that world it is the key to the Abode of Peace. Approval is that you be a servant who is pleased and happy with everything that happens, and you await God's decree. Surrender is that you turn over the work of the created things to the Creator.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak. The road of the common servants, in keeping with the outwardness of this verse, is continually to seek refuge in the Lord of the world's folk from the evil of the bad, the deceit of the deceivers, the envy of the enviers, and the bad things that happen in the world. This is why MuṣṬafā said, “Seek refuge in God from the effort of trial, the grasp of wretchedness, the ugliness of the decree, and the schadenfreude of enemies.” He also used to say, “O God, I seek refuge in Thee from incapac- ity, indolence, cowardice, miserliness, senility, and the chastisement of the grave. O God, I seek refuge in Thee from poverty, paucity, and abasement, and I seek refuge in Thee from wronging and being wronged. I seek refuge in Thee from dissension, hypocrisy, and ugly character traits.” Such is the path of the common faithful: putting the outwardness of the Shariah into practice and, at the time of trial, lifting up the hands in supplication and pleading and asking for well-being from the Real. As for the road of the chevaliers of the Tariqah and the lords of the Haqiqah, it is surrender and approval. To this He alludes with His words, “Except for him who comes to God with a sound heart” [26:89]. It has been said, “Leave the governance to Him who created you and you will be at ease.” Leave the governance of the work to the Lord of the work. Surrender intervention in created things to the Creator. Put aside the road of protest. Do not oppose and meddle. Do not turn away from His threshold. Consider Him your trustee, guarantor, and care-taker. Then you will have acqui- esced to this command: “Take Him as a trustee” [73:9]. Whenever surrender to Him and approval of Him come together in a heart, that person will be joined with soundness as hard cash and that breast will be exempted from the blights of mortal nature. Surrender is the degree of Ishmael and Abraham. Abraham was addressed with the word “Submit!,” and he answered, “I submit” [2:131]. His son saw the mark of surrender from his father and, by his father's teaching, he put on the garment of surrender. The splendorous Qur'an reports the surrender of father and son: “When the two of them submitted” [37:103]. In this world sur- render is the peg of the religion and in that world it is the key to the Abode of Peace. Approval is that you be a servant who is pleased and happy with everything that happens, and you await God's decree. Surrender is that you turn over the work of the created things to the Creator.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak. The road of the common servants, in keeping with the outwardness of this verse, is continually to seek refuge in the Lord of the world's folk from the evil of the bad, the deceit of the deceivers, the envy of the enviers, and the bad things that happen in the world. This is why MuṣṬafā said, “Seek refuge in God from the effort of trial, the grasp of wretchedness, the ugliness of the decree, and the schadenfreude of enemies.” He also used to say, “O God, I seek refuge in Thee from incapac- ity, indolence, cowardice, miserliness, senility, and the chastisement of the grave. O God, I seek refuge in Thee from poverty, paucity, and abasement, and I seek refuge in Thee from wronging and being wronged. I seek refuge in Thee from dissension, hypocrisy, and ugly character traits.” Such is the path of the common faithful: putting the outwardness of the Shariah into practice and, at the time of trial, lifting up the hands in supplication and pleading and asking for well-being from the Real. As for the road of the chevaliers of the Tariqah and the lords of the Haqiqah, it is surrender and approval. To this He alludes with His words, “Except for him who comes to God with a sound heart” [26:89]. It has been said, “Leave the governance to Him who created you and you will be at ease.” Leave the governance of the work to the Lord of the work. Surrender intervention in created things to the Creator. Put aside the road of protest. Do not oppose and meddle. Do not turn away from His threshold. Consider Him your trustee, guarantor, and care-taker. Then you will have acqui- esced to this command: “Take Him as a trustee” [73:9]. Whenever surrender to Him and approval of Him come together in a heart, that person will be joined with soundness as hard cash and that breast will be exempted from the blights of mortal nature. Surrender is the degree of Ishmael and Abraham. Abraham was addressed with the word “Submit!,” and he answered, “I submit” [2:131]. His son saw the mark of surrender from his father and, by his father's teaching, he put on the garment of surrender. The splendorous Qur'an reports the surrender of father and son: “When the two of them submitted” [37:103]. In this world sur- render is the peg of the religion and in that world it is the key to the Abode of Peace. Approval is that you be a servant who is pleased and happy with everything that happens, and you await God's decree. Surrender is that you turn over the work of the created things to the Creator.
Preliminary Remarks
This and the next Surah were revealed on the same occasion, and in the same event, as will be explained in the 'cause of revelation'. Hafiz Ibn-ul-Qayyim has, therefore, written their commentary together. He writes that their blessings and benefits are abundant. All of the people require them and no one can dispense with them. They are very efficacious remedy for sorcery or magical spell, evil eye, and for all of the physical and spiritual calamities. In fact, if its reality is grasped fully, people will understand that they require it more than their breath, food, water, clothing and everything else.
Cause of Revelation
Musnad of Ahmad records that a Jewish person cast a magical spell on the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، as a result of which he fell ill. Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) came to him and informed him that a particular Jew had cast a spell on him, that he had tied knots in his hair to accomplish this objective, and it is thrown into a particular well. The Holy Prophet ﷺ sent some of his Companions to bring it from the well Jibra'l (علیہ السلام) had described. The Holy Prophet ﷺ untied the knots, and he was instantly cured. Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) informed him of the name of the Jew and the Holy Prophet ﷺ knew the culprit, but it was not in keeping with his compassionate disposition to avenge anyone in his personal matter. Therefore, this was never brought to the attention of the Jew guilty of the black magic, nor did any sign of complaint ever appear on the blessed face of the Holy Prophet ﷺ . Being a hypocrite, he regularly attended the Holy Prophet's ﷺ gatherings.
The details of this incident are recorded in Sahih of Bukhari on the authority of Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ that a Jewish man cast a magic spell on the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، as a result of which he sometimes felt confused whether or not he had done something. One day the Holy Prophet ﷺ said to Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ that Allah has shown him what his illness was and added: "Two men came to me in my dream. One of them sat by my head side while the other sat by my feet, and the following conversation ensued:
Question: 'What is wrong with this man?'
Answer: 'He is bewitched.'
Question: 'Who has bewitched him?'
Answer: 'Labid Ibn A` sam. He is a member of the tribe of Banu Zuraiq who is an ally of the Jews, a hypocrite.'
Question: 'With what did he bewitch him?'
Answer: 'With a comb and hair from the comb.'
Question: 'Where is the comb?'
Answer: In the dried bark of a male date palm under a rock in a well called Dharwan.' "
Sayyidah 'A'ishah ؓ says that the Holy Prophet ﷺ went to the well to remove the comb with the hair and said: "This is the well I was shown in my dream." He removed it from the well. Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ asked the Holy Prophet ﷺ . "Will you not make this public?" He replied: "Allah has cured me and I hate to cause harm to anyone." This implies that the Holy Prophet ﷺ did not want to be the cause anyone's molestation, death or destruction, because this is what would have exactly happened if the incident was publicised.
According to a narration in Musnad of Ahmad, this illness of the Holy Prophet ﷺ lasted for six months. According to other narratives, some of the Companions knew that this wicked act was performed by Labid Ibn A'sam, and they courteously said to the Holy Prophet ﷺ : "Why should we not kill this wicked person?" He made the same reply to them as he did to Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ . According to Imam Tha` lab s narration, a Jewish boy was the attendant of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ، the hypocritical Jew flattered the boy and talked him into getting for him strands of the Prophet's ﷺ hair from his comb, and a few of its teeth. Having obtained these items, he tied eleven knots on a string and a needle was stuck into each knot. Labid then placed this spell in the spathe of a male palm tree, and buried it under a stone in a well. On this occasion, the two Surahs were revealed, comprising eleven verses. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited one verse at a time and untied one knot each time, until all the knots were untied, and he felt freed from the tension of the witchcraft. [ All these narratives have been adapted from Ibn Kathir.]
Magic and its effect on the Holy Prophet ﷺ
Some people are surprised that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ should be affected by black magic. This is because some people do not have a complete grasp of how magic operates. It actually operates under physical causes, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was not immune to the influence of physical causes, as for instance feeling the burning or heating sensation of fire, and feeling the cooling sensation of water; or certain natural factors causing fever or body temperature to rise; or other factors causing aches and pains, and other illnesses. The Holy Prophet ﷺ ، or any other prophet for that matter, was not immune to the effects of such natural or physical causes. They can be affected by the hidden operations of magic which are no less natural or physical. Please see Surah Baqarah, Ma’ ariful Qur'an, Vol. 1/ pp 264-278 for fuller explanation, especially p. 276 on 'Magic and Prophets'.
Mu'awwadhatain are Surahs that afford protection against physical and spiritual afflictions
It is a settled doctrine of every believer that Allah is the intrinsic cause of every gain and loss in this world as well as in the next world. Without the Divine will not a jot of gain or loss can be caused to anyone. The only way to fortify against all physical and spiritual injuries and harm is for man to place himself under the protection of Allah, and by his actions he should attempt to make himself capable of entering the Divine shelter.
Surah Al-Falaq directs how to seek the Divine protection against worldly calamities, and Surah An-Nas tells the way to seek Divine protection against the calamities of the Hereafter.
Virtues of Mu'awwadhatain
Sahih of Muslim records a Tradition on the authority of Sayyidna 'Uqbah Ibn ` Amir ؓ who reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Do you not see that there have been revealed to me verses tonight the like of which has not been seen before? Those are Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas." According to another narration, the like of Mu'awwadhatain has not revealed even in Torah, Injil, or Zabar or anywhere else in the Qur'an. Another narration of Sayyidna 'Uqbah Ibn ` Amir ؓ reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught him Mu'awwadhatain while they were on a journey. Then he recited them in the maghrib salah and said: "Recite these two Surahs whenever you go to sleep and whenever you get up." [ Nasa'i ] According to another report, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has advised people to recite these two Surahs after every salah [ Transmitted by Abu Dad and Nasa'i ].
Imam Malik (رح) recorded from Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ : "whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ suffered from an ailment, he would recite the Mu'awwadhatain, blow over his hands, and then wiped his whole body with those hands. When his pain became acute on his death-bed, I would recite the Mu'awwadhatain, blow over his hands, and then he wiped them over himself, because my hands could not be the fitting substitute for his blessed hands. [ All these narratives have been adapted from Ibn Kathir ].
Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Khubayb ؓ reports that it was raining one night and the sky had become intensely dark. We went out looking for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ، and when he was found, he said: "Say." He asked: "What should I say?" He said: "Recite قُلْ هُوَ اللَّـهُ أَحَدٌ and Mu'awwadhatain. Reciting them thrice in the morning and thrice in the evening will fortify you against all kinds of perturbations."
In sum, it was the practice of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions to recite these two Surahs to protect themselves against all types of privations, trials and tribulations of life in this world, as well as of life in the next world.
Lexicological Analysis of important words and interpretation of the Surah
Verse [ 113:1] قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ (Say, "I seek refuge with the Lord of the Daybreak." ) The word falaq means 'to split or cleave' and here it is used in the sense of 'break of dawn'. In another verse, a similar quality of Allah is used in [ 6:96] فَالِقُ الْإِصْبَاحِ. ([ He is ] the One who causes the dawn to break). Of all the Divine attributes, this particular attribute is used presumably because the darkness of night often causes evils and difficulties, and the daylight removes them. This attribute of Allah points to the fact that anyone who seeks protection in Allah, He will remove all afflictions from him. [ Mazhari ]
Say, �I seek refuge in the Lord of the Daybreak,He said:Truly God, Exalted is He, commanded him [the Prophet] in these two sūras [113 and 114] to take refuge (iʿtiṣām) in Him, seek help (istiʿāna) from Him, and show [his] need (faqr) for Him.He was asked, �What is showing [one�s] need?� He replied:It is the [substitution of one] state by another (huwa�l-ḥāl bi�l-ḥāl), for the natural disposition (ṭabʿ) is dead [in and of itself] and its life is in displaying this. He also said:The best form of purification (ṭahāra) is that the servant purifies himself from [the illusion of] his own power (ḥawl) and strength (quwwa). Every act or saying that is not accompanied by the words: �there is no power or strength save in God�, will not have God�s support, Mighty and Majestic is He. Furthermore, every saying which is not accompanied by the proviso, will incur a punishment for [the person who said it], even if it was an act [or saying] of righteousness.And for every affliction (muṣība) which is received without being accompanied by the saying of �return� (istirjāʿ), the afflicted person will not be given steadfastness when facing it [affliction] on the Day of Resurrection.He said:According to Ibn ʿAbbās y, al-falaq means the morning (ṣubḥ) while according to al-Ḍaḥḥāk it refers to a valley in the Hellfire. [On the other hand], according to Wuhayb it refers to a chamber in Hell, and according to Ḥasan it refers to a well in Hell.It has also been said that He intended by it all people (jamīʿ al-khalq). Or it has been said that it refers to the rock from which water springs forth.
Which was revealed in Makkah
The Position of Ibn Mas`ud concerning Al-Mu`awwidhatayn
Imam Ahmad recorded from Zirr bin Hubaysh that Ubayy bin Ka`b told him that Ibn Mas`ud did not record the Mu`awwidhatayn in his Mushaf (copy of the Qur'an). So Ubayy said, "I testify that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed me that Jibril said to him,
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq.")(113:1) So he said it. And Jibril said to him,
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.") (114:1) So he said it. Therefore, we say what the Prophet said."
The Virtues of Surahs Al-Falaq and An-Nas
In his Sahih, Muslim recorded on the authority of `Uqbah bin `Amir that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«أَلَمْ تَرَ آيَاتٍ أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةَ لَمْ يُرَ مِثْلُهُنَّ قَطُّ:
(Do you not see that there have been Ayat revealed to me tonight the like of which has not been seen before) They are
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ »
(Say: "I seek refuge with, the Lord of Al-Falaq.")(113:1) and;
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.") (114:1)) This Hadith was recorded by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i. At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih."
Another Narration
Imam Ahmad recorded from `Uqbah bin `Amir that he said, "While I was leading the Messenger of Allah ﷺ along one of these paths he said,
«يَا عُقْبَةُ أَلَا تَرْكَبُ؟»
(O `Uqbah! Will you not ride) I was afraid that this might be considered an act of disobedience. So the Messenger of Allah ﷺ got down and I rode for a while. Then he rode. Then he said,
«يَا عُقْبَةُ، أَلَا أُعَلِّمُكَ سُورَتَيْنِ مِنْ خَيْرِ سُورَتَيْنِ قَرَأَ بِهِمَا النَّاسُ؟»
(O `Uqbah! Should I not teach you two Surahs that are of the best two Surahs that the people recite) I said, `Of course, O Messenger of Allah.' So he taught me to recite
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq.") (113:1) and
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.") (114:1) Then the call was given to begin the prayer and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ went forward (to lead the people), and he recited them in the prayer. Afterwards he passed by me and said,
«كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَ يَا عُقَيْبُ، اقْرَأْ بِهِمَا كُلَّمَا نِمْتَ وَكُلَّمَا قُمْتَ»
(What do you think, O `Uqayb Recite these two Surahs whenever you go to sleep and whenever you get up.)"
An-Nasa'i and Abu Dawud both recorded this Hadith.
Another Narration
«إِنَّ النَّاسَ لَمْ يَتَعَوَّذُوا بِمِثْلِ هَذَيْنِ:
(Verily, the people do not seek protection with anything like these two:
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq.")(113:1) and;
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ »
(Say: "I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind.")) (114:1)
Another Narration
An-Nasa'i recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir said, "I was walking with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he said,
«يَا عُقْبَةُ قُلْ»
(O `Uqbah! Say!) I replied, `What should I say' So he was silent and did not respond to me. Then he said,
«قُلْ»
(Say!) I replied, `What should I say, O Messenger of Allah' He said,
«قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ »
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq.") So, I recited it until I reached its end. Then he said,
«قُلْ»
(Say!) I replied, `What should I say O Messenger of Allah' He said,
«قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ »
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.") So, I recited it until I reached its end. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«مَا سَأَلَ سَائِلٌ بِمِثْلِهَا، وَلَا اسْتَعَاذَ مُسْتَعِيذٌ بِمِثْلِهَا»
(No person beseeches with anything like these, and no person seeks refuge with anything like these.)"
Another Hadith
An-Nasa'i recorded that Ibn `Abis Al-Juhani said that the Prophet said to him,
«يَا ابْنَ عَابِسٍ أَلَا أَدُلُّكَ أَوْ أَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِأَفْضَلِ مَا يَتَعَوَّذُ بِهِ الْمُتَعَوِّذُونَ؟»
(O Ibn `Abis! Shall I guide you to -- or inform you -- of the best thing that those who seek protection use for protection) He replied, "Of course, O Messenger of Allah!" The Prophet said,
«قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
هَاتَانِ السُّورَتَانِ»
(Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq.")( and (Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.")( These two Surahs (are the best protection).) Imam Malik recorded from `A'ishah that whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was suffering from an ailment, he would recite the Mu`awwidhatayn over himself and blow (over himself). Then if his pain became severe, `A'ishah said that she would recite the Mu`awwidhatayn over him and take his hand and wipe it over himself seeking the blessing of those Surahs. Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah all recorded this Hadith.
It has been reported from Abu Sa`id that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to seek protection against the evil eyes of the Jinns and mankind. But when the Mu`awwi- dhatayn were revea- led, he used them (for protection) and aban- doned all else besides them. At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah recorded this. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih."
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Jabir said, "Al-Falaq is the morning." Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas, "Al-Falaq is the morning." The same has been reported from Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Abdullah bin Muhammad bin `Aqil, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi and Ibn Zayd. Malik also reported a similar statement from Zayd bin Aslam. Al-Qurazi, Ibn Zayd and Ibn Jarir all said, "This is like Allah's saying,
فَالِقُ الإِصْبَاحِ
(He is the Cleaver of the daybreak.)." (6:96) Allah said,
مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
(From the evil of what He has created,) This means from the evil of all created things. Thabit Al-Bunani and Al-Hasan Al-Basri both said, "Hell, Iblis and his progeny, from among that which He (Allah) created."
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
(And from the evil of the Ghasiq when Waqab,) Mujahid said, "Ghasiq is the night, and `when it Waqab' refers to the setting of the sun." Al-Bukhari mentioned this from him. Ibn Abi Najih also reported a similar narration from him (Mujahid).
The same was said by Ibn `Abbas, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Ad-Dahhak, Khusayf, Al-Hasan and Qatadah. They said, "Verily, it is the night when it advances with its darkness." Az-Zuhri said,
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
(And from the evil of the Ghasiq when Waqab,) "This means the sun when it sets." Abu Al-Muhazzim reported that Abu Hurayrah said,
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
(And from the evil of the Ghasiq when Waqab, ) "This means the star." Ibn Zayd said, "The Arabs used to say, `Al-Ghasiq is the declination (of the position) of the heavenly body known as Pleiades. The number of those who were ill and stricken with plague would increase whenever it would decline, and their number would lessen whenever it rose."'
Ibn Jarir said, "Others have said that it is the moon."
The support for the people who hold this position (that it means the moon) is a narration that Imam Ahmad recorded from Al-Harith bin Abi Salamah. He said that `A'ishah said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took me by my hand and showed me the moon when it rose, and he said,
«تَعَوَّذِي بِاللهِ مِنْ شَرِّ هَذَا الْغَاسِقِ إِذَا وَقَبَ»
(Seek refuge with Allah from the evil of this Ghasiq when it becomes dark.)" At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i both recorded this Hadith in their Books of Tafsir in their Sunans. Allah said,
وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّـثَـتِ فِى الْعُقَدِ
(And from the evil of the blowers in knots,) Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak all said, "This means the witches." Mujahid said, "When they perform their spells and blow into the knots."
In another Hadith it has been reported that Jibril came to the Prophet and said, "Are you suffering from any ailment, O Muhammad" The Prophet replied,
«نَعَمْ»
(Yes.) So Jibril said, "In the Name of Allah, I recite prayer (Ruqyah) over you, from every illness that harms you, from the evil of every envious person and evil eye. May Allah cure you."
Discussion of the Bewitchment of the Prophet
In the Book of Medicine of his Sahih, Al-Bukhari recorded that `A'ishah said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was bewitched until he thought that he had relations with his wives, but he had not had relations with them." Sufyan said, "This is the worst form of magic when it reaches this stage." So the Prophet said,
«يَا عَائِشَةُ، أَعَلِمْتِ أَنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَفْتَانِي فِيمَا اسْتَفْتَيْتُهُ فِيهِ؟ أَتَانِي رَجُلَانِ فَقَعَدَ أَحَدُهُمَا عِنْدَ رَأْسِي وَالْاخَرُ عِنْدَ رِجْلَيَّ، فَقَال الَّذِي عِنْدَ رَأْسِي لِلْاخَرِ: مَا بَالُ الرَّجُلِ؟ قَالَ: مَطْبُوبٌ، قَالَ: وَمَنْ طَبَّهُ، قَالَ: لَبِيدُ بْنُ أَعْصَمَ: رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي زُرَيْقٍ حَلِيفٌ لِيَهُودَ، كَانَ مُنَافِقًا، قَالَ: وَفِيمَ؟ قَالَ: فِي مُشْطٍ وَمُشَاطَةٍ، قَالَ: وَأَيْنَ؟ قَالَ: فِي جُفِّ طَلْعَةٍ ذَكَرٍ، تَحْتَ رَاعُوفَةٍ فِي بِئْرِ ذَرْوَانَ»
(O `A'ishah! Do you know that Allah has answered me concerning that which I asked Him Two men came to me and one of them sat by my head while the other sat by my feet. The one who was sitting by my head said to the other one, `What is wrong with this man' The other replied, `He is bewitched.' The first one said, `Who bewitched him' The other replied, `Labid bin A`sam. He is a man from the tribe of Banu Zurayq who is an ally of the Jews, and a hypocrite.' The first one asked, `With what (did he bewitch him)' The other replied, `With a comb and hair from the comb.' The first one asked, `Where (is the comb)' The other answered, `In the dried bark of a male date palm under a rock in a well called Dharwan.') `A'ishah said, "So he went to the well to remove it (the comb with the hair). Then he said,
«هَذِهِ الْبِئْرُ الَّتِي أُرِيتُهَا، وَكَأَنَّ مَاءَهَا نُقَاعَةُ الحِنَّاءِ،وَكَأَنَّ نَخْلَهَا رُؤُوسُ الشَّيَاطِين»
(This is the well that I saw. It was as if its water had henna soaked in it and its palm trees were like the heads of devils.) So he removed it (of the well). Then I (`A'ishah) said, `Will you not make this public' He replied,
«أَمَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ شَفَانِي، وَأَكْرَهُ أَنْ أُثِيرَ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ شَرًّا»
(Allah has cured me and I hate to spread (the news of) wickedness to any of the people.)"