Sura al-Falaq: Difference between revisions

'''Sūra al-Falaq''' (Arabic: {{ia|سورة الفلق}}) is the 113th [[sura]] of the [[Qur'an]]. It is a [[Makki]] sura located in [[juz’]] 30. Sura al-Falaq is one of the [[Four Quls]]. In this sura, [[God]] orders the [[Prophet (a)]] to seek protection of God from every evil; especially, from the evil of the dark night, the evil of the witches and the evil of the envious ones. Suras al-Falaq and [[Sura al-Nas|al-Nas]] are called [[Mu’awwidhatayn]], because they are recited for seeking protection. About the merits of the recitation of sura al-Falaq, it is narrated that whoever recites the two suras of al-Nas and al-Falq is like a person who has recited all the books of divine prophets (a). It is also narrated that the Prophet (a) considered the two suras al-Nas and al-Falaq the most beloved suras before God.

This [[sura]] is called “al-Falaq” which is adopted from its verse. “Al-Falaq” means “daybreak”. Another name of this sura is “Mu’awwidha” which is derived from the verb “‘Awadha” meaning “to seek protection”. These two suras are also called Mushaqshaqatayn, because they are recited at the times of danger.

{{See also|Mu’awwidhatayn}}

Sura al-Falaq is a [[Makki]] sura and the 20th [[sura]] [[Revelation|revealed]] to the [[Prophet (a)]]. In the current order of the [[Qur'an]], this sura is 113th sura located in [[juz’]] 30.

Sura al-Falaq has 5 [[verse]], 23 words and 73 letters. Regarding volume, this sura is among [[Mufassalat]] suras. Sura al-Falaq is among the [[Four Quls]] which are the four suras beginning with “qul” [“say”].

In sura al-Falaq, [[God]] orders the [[Prophet (a)]] to seek the protection of God from every evil; especially, from the evil of the dark night, the evil of the witches and the evil of the envious ones. According to ''[[Tafsir al-Mizan]]'', “al-naffathat fi al-‘uqad” does not only refer to witches but also anyone who practices magic. According to ''[[Tafsir Nemuneh]]'', Sura al-Falaq teaches the prophet (a) to seek the protection of God from every evil and to trust in God.

About the context of revelation of this sura, there is a [[hadith]] mentioned in [[Sunni]] sources which [[Shi’a]] scholars have not accepted. In ''[[al-Durr al-manthur]]'', which is a Sunni commentary, it is mentioned that a Jewish man practiced magic on the Prophet (a). [[Angel]] [[Gabriel]] went to the Prophet (a) and brought [[Mu’awwidhatayn]] (suras al-Falaq and [[Sura al-Nas|al-Nas]]) to him and told him, “a Jewish man practiced magic on you” and that his spell is in such well. The Prophet (a) sent [[Imam 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a)|Imam Ali (a)]] to bring that spell. He (a) then ordered Ali (a) to untie those knots and for each knot, he (a) recited one of the verses of Mu’awwidhatayn. When the knots were all untied and the two suras were finished, the Prophet (a) regained his health.

In ''Tafsir al-Mizan'', [[‘Allama Tabataba’i]] wrote that there is no reason for the Prophet (a) to be physically resistant to magic and would not become ill by magic; however, verses of the Qur'an suggest that the heart and mind of the Prophet (a) are safe from the magic and influence of [[Satan|satanic]] powers.

== Exegetes’ Views about Magic ==

In the commentary of the verse four of sura al-Falaq, [[Al-Sharif al-Radi|Sayyid Radi]] (d. [[406]]/1015-1016) wrote, “this (verse) is a metaphor and suggests seeking protection of God from the evil of women who use trickery to overturn the firm decisions of men (which are likened to knots due to decisions’ strength) and weaken men’s power by their trickery.” Some [[Sunni]] exegetes did not accept magic and [[evil eye]]. However, [[‘Allama Tabataba’i]] wrote that this verse and verse 102{{Enote|The verse's English translation by Shakir: And they followed what the Shaitans chanted of sorcery in the reign of Sulaiman, and Sulaiman was not an unbeliever, but the Shaitans disbelieved, they taught men sorcery and that was sent down to the two angels at Babel, Harut and Marut, yet these two taught no man until they had said, "Surely we are only a trial, therefore do not be a disbeliever." Even then men learned from these two, magic by which they might cause a separation between a man and his wife; and they cannot hurt with it any one except with Allah's permission, and they learned what harmed them and did not profit them, and certainly they know that he who bought it should have no share of good in the hereafter and evil was the price for which they sold their souls, had they but known this.}} of [[sura al-Baqara]] show that the [[Qur'an]] approves the reality of magic.

It is narrated from the [[Prophet (a)]] that whoever recites the two suras of [[Sura al-Nas|al-Nas]] and al-Falaq is like someone who has recited all the books of divine prophets (a). It is narrated from [[Imam Muhammad b. 'Ali al-Baqir (a)|Imam al-Baqir (a)]] that whoever recites the suras of [[Mu’awwidhatayn]] in three [[rak’a]]s of his [[night prayer]] ([[Shaf’ prayer|Shaf’]] and [[Watr prayer]]s), he will be told that, “O servant of God! The good news is for you that God accepted your Watr prayer.” It is reported that the Prophet (a) mentioned the two suras of al-Falaq and al-Nas are the most beloved suras before God. It is also reported from the Prophet (a) that whoever recites the suras [[Sura al-Ikhlas|Tawhid]], al-Nas and al-Falaq 10 times every night, it is as if he has recited the whole Qur'an and will be free of his sins like the day he is born of his mother and if he dies on that day or night, he dies a [[martyr]]. About the benefits of sura al-Falaq, it is reported that the Prophet (a) recited Mu’awwidhatayn to seek protection of God for [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]].

* [[Mu’awwidhatayn]]