Sūrah al-Falaq

Introduction to this pair

Both these sūrahs are a supplication for the completion of the Qur’ān and form a pair in every respect. That is why they are jointly called the mu‘awwidhatayn. However, the style of the first sūrah is predominantly argumentative, while in the second one there exists a strong element of appeal to invoke the mercy of the Almighty.

Both sūrahs are addressed to the Prophet (sws) and it is evident from their topics that they were revealed after the Prophet’s (sws) migration to Madīnah when beholding the success of the Prophet’s preaching mission, the Jews and the Quraysh, as well as the jinn and men from the progeny of Satan, were preparing to launch an offensive against him.

The theme of both sūrahs is to urge the Prophet (sws) that to safeguard himself and his mission, he should seek refuge of the Almighty from all the calamities of the world and from the harm that can be inflicted by all creatures, since it is He alone who can actually give refuge to people from all harms and calamities.

A little deliberation shows that this topic of these sūrahs directs the attention of every keen reader to Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, the opening sūrah of the Qur’ān, in which a person acknowledges monotheism and earnestly supplicates to his Lord to show him the straight path. The Qur’ān is actually a reply to this prayer as it explains this path until it reaches its completion through the most comprehensive expression of monotheism in Sūrah al-Ikhlāṣ. After that, come these two sūrahs in which a person once again, through the attributes of the Almighty, prays for his protection from every bandit present on the path of monotheism and for his safety in the ups and downs of this path. The affinity this closing part of the Qur’ān has with its beginning cannot remain hidden to any person of insight.