Verses of Refuge (Al-Mu’awwidhatayn)

Resource: Tafsir Ibn Kthir
Verses of Refuge (Al-Mu’awwidhatayn )

Place of revelation: Madinah

PRELUDE

Bewitchment of the Holy Prophet (saww)

Both Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Nas were revealed to the Prophet Mohammad (saww) peace and blessings be upon him and his family by the angel Gabriel (Jibril)  (a.s.).

A Hadith narrates that the Prophet Mohammad (saww) had been bewitched and was suffering from disease when Jibril (a.s.) came to him and recited a prayer (Ruqyah) over him to cure him. It comprised of Surahs Al-Falaq and Al-Nas and had been sent by Allah (swt) to cure the Prophet (saww) and as verses of refuge for Mankind from the universal evils that exist. (Tabari 12:149)

The Mother of the Faithful (Ummul Momineen); A’isha (r.a.), said that the Prophet (saww) was bewitched until he thought he had relations with his wives when he had not had any. Sufyan said, “This is the worst form of magic when it reaches this stage.” The Prophet (saww) told Hazrat Ai’shah (r.a.). that Allah had answered him about his query regarding his disease. Two men had come to Prophet (saww). One of them sat by his head and the other sat by his feet. The one sitting by the head asked the other as to what was wrong with this man (Prophet Mohammad saww). The one by the feet replied that he (Prophet Mohammad saww) had bee bewitched. The first one asked as to who bewitched him. And the one by the feet replied that it was Labid bin A’sam from the tribe of Banu Zurayq; a Jewish ally tribe, and a hypocrite. The first man asked as to with what was the bewitchment done and the second replied that it was by a comb and a hair from the comb. The first one asked where the comb was and the other answered that it was in the dried bark of a male date palm under a rock in a well called Dharwan.

Ummul Momineen Ai’shah said that the Prophet (saww) went to remove the comb from the well and said: “This is the well that I saw. It was as if its water had henna soaked in it and its palm trees were like the heads of devils.”

And when Ummul Momineen Ai’shah asked him, “Will you not make this (the news) public?”

The Prophet (saww) replied:

“Allah has cured me and I hate to spread 9the news of) wickedness to any of the people.”

(Sahih Bukhari)

VIRTUES & TREASURES OF SURAHS AL-FALAQ & AL-NAS

“Do you not see that there have been Ayat revealed to me tonight the like of which has not been seen before? They are Say: “I seek refuge with, the Lord of Al-Falaq.” (Qul a’auzu birabbil falaq)  And Say: “I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.” (Qul a’auzu birabbin nas).”

(Sahih Muslim & At-Tirmidhi)

A companion of the Prophet (saww), ‘Uqbah bin Amir (r.a.) said that the Prophet Mohammad (saww) taught him to recite Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Nas; while he was leading the Messenger of Allah (saww) along the way, saying:

“O ‘Uqbah! Should I not teach you two Surahs that are of the best two Surahs that people recite?”

Then when the Adhan was given for prayer and the Messenger (saww) when forward to lead the people in prayer he recited the two Surahs in prayer and afterwards he said to ‘Uqbah (r.a.).

“Recite these two Surahs whenever you go to sleep and whenever you get up.”

(Narration: Imam Ahmad)

 “Verily, the people do not seek protection with anything like these two.”

And,

“No person beseeches with anything like these, and no person seeks refuge with anything like these.”

(‘Uqbah bin Amir in An-Nasai)

 “O Ibn Abis! Shall I guide you – or inform you – of the best thing that those who seek protection use for protection?” and then he recited the two Surahs.

(Ibn ‘Abis Al-Juhani in An-Nasai)

Ummul Momineen A’ishah (r.a.) said that whenever the Messenger of Allah (saww) was suffering from an ailment (disease), he would recite the Mu’awwidhatayn over himself and blow (over himself). Then if his pain became severe, he would recite them over him and take his hand and wipe it over himself seeking the blessing of the two Surahs.  

(Imam Malik in Bukhari, Dawud, Nasai, Majah

The Messenger used to seek protection from the evil eyes of Mankind and Jinns. But since after the Mu’awiidhatayn were revealed, he abandoned all else besides them.

(Abu Said in Tirmidhi, Nasai, Majah)

LESSONS AND MORALS

• Recite the Mu’awwidhatayn to seek refuge from the evils of Mankind and Jinns.
• Recite them over yourself when ill, diseased or in a malady. Blow over your hands and wipe them on yourself.
• Do not take to other means e.g. black magic, shirk, and bida’ah to seek protection from evil.
• Do not publicize your stories of how evil got to you through Mankind or Jinn; once you have recovered, limit the spread of wicked news.

COMING UP …

The line by line exegesis of Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Nas,

inshAllah.

Sisterly Yours,

@num @li.