Basic
Madani Events
Surah: Al-Falaq & An-Nas (1)
The Two Refuge Surahs — The Sorcery Against the Prophet ﷺ
قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلۡفَلَقِ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
— الفلق والناس الآية 1
Occasion of Revelation (Sahih — Agreed Upon):
Aisha narrated: A man from Banu Zurayq named Labid ibn Al-A'sam bewitched the Prophet ﷺ until he imagined doing things he was not doing. Two angels came and told him the location of the spell. It was retrieved from a well in a date palm spathe. When it was removed it was as if he was freed from chains — and the two refuge surahs were revealed.
Significance:
Aisha narrated: A man from Banu Zurayq named Labid ibn Al-A'sam bewitched the Prophet ﷺ until he imagined doing things he was not doing. Two angels came and told him the location of the spell. It was retrieved from a well in a date palm spathe. When it was removed it was as if he was freed from chains — and the two refuge surahs were revealed.
Significance:
- Al-Falaq: Seeking refuge from physical creations — darkness, sorcery, and envy
- An-Nas: Seeking refuge from internal whispering of Shaytan — the retreating whisperer
- Sorcery is real; its effect on the Prophet ﷺ does not diminish his prophethood
- Recitation of these surahs is among the greatest prescribed cures — the Prophet recited them every night before sleep
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari (3268), Sahih Muslim (2189) — Aisha — Agreed Upon
Test Yourself
What is the difference between what is sought refuge from in Al-Falaq vs. An-Nas?
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