Summary of Qur'an Chapter 113 Surah Al-Falaq The Daybreak

Summary of Qur'an Chapter 113 Surah Al-Falaq The Daybreak or The Dawn 

Surah Al-Falaq (سورة الفلق), the 113th chapter of the Qur’an, is a brief surah consisting of five verses, meaning “The Daybreak” or “The Dawn.” It is one of the two Mu‘awwidhatayn—the other being Surah An-Nas—and is recognized for its verses that seek Allah’s protection from various kinds of evil. 

Now we are going to study the last two chapters of the Qur’an (al-Mu‘awwidhatayn). These chapters are like two guards at the end of the Qur’an. In a narration in Ṣaḥiḥ al-Bukhari, it is mentioned that a Jew from Madinah cast a spell on Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Because of this, he would sometimes forget certain things and also suffer physical discomfort. In this situation, these chapters were revealed by Allah, the Exalted. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) continued to recite these chapters frequently until the effects of the magic completely disappeared. 

In the modern era, rationalist scholars—particularly those who deny the authenticity of Hadith—hesitate to accept such narrations. In fact, in their view, to believe in them is equivalent to insulting Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The answer to such arguments is that without doubt, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the most perfect of human beings and holds the highest rank of human excellence. His infallibility and greatness are certainly beyond even our imagination. Yet, it is also a reality that normal human conditions would affect him as well. 

It is worth reflecting that if Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) could suffer from fever, if a sword strike could wound him, if weakness could overcome him due to excessive blood loss, and if he could experience the pains of death, then why could magic not affect him? However, it must be made clear that the effect of magic on Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was limited to his physical health; no aspect of his Prophethood was affected in any way. 

Explanation: 

In any case, magic in itself is a reality, and it is also a reality that magic was done upon Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and because of its negative effects, he faced some physical discomfort. It was for this very reason that Allah, the Exalted, granted His Ummah the priceless gift of these chapters (the Mu'awwidhatayn). 

Both of these chapters were revealed in Madinah, and their subject matter is the same. This subject could have been revealed in the form of a single chapter, but since the general style of the Qur’an is that most chapters were revealed in pairs, Allah, the Exalted, divided the core subject into two parts and revealed them as two separate chapters. 

According to this division of subject matter, in Surah al-Falaq, protection is sought from those things or evils that attack a person from the outside, whereas in Surah an-Nas, the evils that influence a person from within are mentioned. In any case, we should always seek Allah’s protection through these two chapters to be safeguarded from the harmful effects of all such evils. 

Anyway, the effects of magic, charms, amulets, talismans, the evil eye, etc., are an accepted reality in their place. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse (102), there is mention of the devils among the jinn who, during the time of Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him), used to teach people magic. This vile business has continued in one form or another in every era. Even today, in our society, many people are engaged in learning and teaching such things and then promoting their business with various claims. 

However, as has already been clarified earlier, in our Shari’ah (an Islamic Law), it is forbidden to learn such things and to benefit from them in any way. In this regard, a believer should have firm conviction in his heart that none of these things can cause him any harm without the permission of Allah Almighty, as is clearly stated in the mentioned verse of Surah Al-Baqarah: “And they cannot harm anyone with it except by Allah’s permission” (Verse 102). A believer should also be certain that whatever hardship comes, it will come only by the permission of Allah Almighty. 

(It is also possible that, for some reason, Allah Almighty Himself may wish to subject a person to some hardship or difficulty) — and it will be removed only by His permission. As for adopting protective measures against such things or countering any such satanic attack, with these two Surahs (Al-Mu‘awwidhatayn) present, a Muslim does not need any other practice, amulet, or measure. It is clear that Allah Almighty taught these Surahs to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) for this very purpose, and in this regard, through Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), they hold the status of an invaluable gift for the Ummah. 

Hadith 1: 

Source: Ṣaḥiḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Medicine (Kitāb al-Ṭibb) 

Hadith No.: 3268 (also 5763 in some numbering) 

Narrated by: Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) 

Summary: A Jewish man from Madinah, Labīd ibn al-A‘ṣam, performed magic on the Prophet PBUH, which affected his memory and health. After this, the Mu'awwidhatayn (Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas) were revealed, and he recited them repeatedly until he was cured. 

Hadith 2: 

Narrator: ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him) 

Source: Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim, Hadith no. 814 

Core Message: The Prophet PBUH revealed two unprecedented verses—Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas—which serve as powerful supplications for protection. 

The Hadith is narrated by ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him), in Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim (Hadith no. 814), with wording equivalent to: 

“Have you not seen that some verses were revealed (to me) tonight, the like of which has never been seen (before)? They are: ‘Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the daybreak’ [Surah al-Falaq 113:1] and ‘Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind’ [Surah an-Nas 114:1]”  

Hadith 3: 

Abdullah bin Khubaib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: 

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me, "Recite Surat Al-Ikhlas and Al-Mu'awwidhatayn (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas) three times at dawn and dusk. It will suffice you in all respects." 

[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]. 

• Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1456 
• In-book reference: Book 15, Hadith 49. 

Hadith 4: 

Narrated 'Uqbah bin 'Amir Al-Juhani: 

That the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Some Ayat have been revealed to me the likes of which have not been seen: Qul A'udhu Birabbin-Nas until the end of the Surah and Qul A'udhu Birabbil-Falaq until the end of the Surah." 

Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2902 

• In-book reference: Book 45, Hadith 2 
• English translation: Vol. 5, Book 42, Hadith 2902. 

Hadith 5: 

Narrated `Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her: 

Whenever Allah's Messenger (PBUH) went to bed, he used to blow on his hands while reciting the Mu'awwidhatayn ( i.e. Surah al-Falaq 113 and Surah an-Nas 114) and then pass his hands over his body. 

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6319 

• In-book reference: Book 80, Hadith 16 
• USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 8, Book 75, Hadith 331. 

Hadith 6: 

Narrated `Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her: 

Whenever Allah's Messenger (PBUH) became sick, he would recite Mu'awwidhatayn (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas) and then blow his breath over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite (these two Suras) and rub his hands over his body, hoping for their blessings. 

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5016 

• In-book reference: Book 66, Hadith 38 
• USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 6, Book 61, Hadith 535.