The Two Refuge Surahs — The Sorcery Against the Prophet ﷺ

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:

• 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