The surah Al-Falaq (“The Daybreak”) is a Meccan surah composed of 5 verses. It was revealed together with An-Nās as a form of divine protection against evil. According to Ibn Kathīr and As-Suyūtī, it was revealed when the Prophet ﷺ was afflicted by a spell cast by a man named Labīd ibn al-A‘ṣam, a Jew from Medina. Allah then revealed these two chapters as verses of refuge (al-mu‘awwidhatayn).
The Prophet ﷺ used to recite this surah for protection before sleeping and at dawn. It remains widely recited in prayers for protection and healing, alongside An-Nās.
Main Teachings and Key Insights
Al-Falaq teaches complete reliance on Allah for protection from every form of evil, visible or hidden. It reminds believers that only the Creator of the dawn — the source of light and renewal — can protect them from the darkness of harm. Its main lessons are:
- Seeking refuge in Allah: He is the Lord of the daybreak, the source of light and deliverance. (verse 1)
- Protection from general evils: harm caused by all created things. (verse 2)
- Protection from the darkness: symbolizing hidden dangers, fears, and unseen forces. (verse 3)
- Protection from witchcraft: referring to those who “blow on knots” in acts of sorcery. (verse 4)
- Protection from envy: the destructive nature of jealousy and malice. (verse 5)
This surah is a spiritual shield of protection. The Prophet ﷺ said that no invocation for refuge equals the two chapters Al-Falaq and An-Nās. (Sahih Muslim; At-Tirmidhi)
Structure and Main Themes
- Verse 1: Invocation to Allah, Lord of daybreak, as refuge from evil.
- Verse 2: Protection from all harmful creatures.
- Verse 3: Protection from the dangers of the night.
- Verse 4: Protection from sorcery and occult harm.
- Verse 5: Protection from envy and jealousy.
The tone of the surah is protective and soothing: it calls the believer to seek refuge solely in Allah against physical, spiritual, and emotional harm.
Key Verse
The key verse of the surah is verse 1:
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak.
Why is this verse key?
- It establishes the believer’s total dependence on Allah for protection.
- It links the light of dawn to divine deliverance, in contrast to the darkness of evil.
- It introduces a universal series of supplications against all harm, making this surah a foundational prayer for spiritual protection.
In summary, Al-Falaq is a comprehensive invocation of divine protection: it teaches absolute trust in Allah against all forms of evil — natural, human, or supernatural — and affirms that faith is the light that overcomes fear.