Al-Mu'awwidhatayn

Mu’awwidhatayn (“the two protections”) refers to suras al-Falaq and al-Nas which begin with “Say, ‘I seek the protection…” and imply (seeking refuge in God). These suras are also called Mushaqshaqatayn.

Cause of Naming

Since the two suras al-Nas and al-Falaq begin with “Say, ‘I seek the protection…” and their other name is Mu’wwidha, they are called Mu’awwidhatayn which means “the two Mu’wwidha”.

All-together Revelation

According to a report ‘Aqaba b. ‘Amir narrated from the Prophet (a), Mu’awwidhatayn were revealed all together and at once. The Prophet (a) said, “Tonight two suras were revealed to me, I had not seen like them, which were Mu’awwidhatayn.” Suyuti too believed in this report and said that the two suras were Madani and were revealed in the story of the magic of Labid b. A’sam, the way Beyhaqi reported in Dala’il al-nubuwwa.

Time and Content of Revelation

In his commentary, Ali b. Ibrahim Qummi transmitted a hadith from Imam al-Sadiq (a); and, in Tafsir al-Burhan, Sayyid Hashim Bahrani transmitted a hadith by fudayl b. Yasar from Imam al-Baqir (a) that, the Prophet (a) became sick and his fever rose. Then, angel Gabriel brought these two suras to heal the Prophet (a) (angel Gabriel began reciting sura al-Falaq upon his head and angel Michael recited sura al-Nas at his feet to cure him.)

Mushaqshaqatayn

Shiqshiqa refers to something a person says at critical times. Since, a person would recite either of these suras at the times of danger to seek refuge in God and to rescue, they are called Mushashaqa. The two suras of al-Nas and al-Falaq are called Mushaqshaqatayn.