ADHIKR

Both this Surah Al-Falaq (the Dawn), containing five verses, and the next Surah An-Naas (114) – The Mankind, containing six verses, are collectively known as “Muavvidathaini – the Two Surahs for seeking refuge.” These two Surahs contain verses to seek refuge not only from Satan among mankind and Jinn (sprites), but also from all evils that may occur, irrespective of day or night.

After the revelation of Surah Al-Kafiroon (109), the opposition from the disbelievers in Mecca reached its peak, to the extent that they attempted to attack the Messenger indirectly to make him retreat from his mission through sorcery, black magic, and other satanic deeds. In that condition, both these Surahs—Al-Falaq and An-Naas—were revealed to seek refuge with the Lord from such evils. Eventually, they even attempted to kill the Messenger directly, and thus, according to the command of Allah, he migrated from Mecca to Medina.

When the Messenger tried to form a group of believers in Medina by teaching them Adhikr, an important Jewish tribe also attempted to kill him through deception, out of envy for the deputation of a Messenger from the progeny of Ismael instead of the progeny of Ishak. Finally, because of the deception committed during the Ahsaab battle, the Jewish tribe was exiled from Medina. However, instead of remaining neutral, they continued their attacks through the hypocrites by motivating them to oppose the Messenger. Even though the hypocrites attempted to kill the Messenger by pushing him into a deep trench on the way from Thabook to Medina, this attempt also failed. With encouragement from the Jews, a hypocrite performed sorcery against the Messenger, as a result of which the Messenger remained bedridden due to fever for six months. Again, this Surah was revealed in Medina for the second time as a defense to seek refuge from sorcery, black magic, and other satanic deeds.

The Messenger did not recite these two Surahs in the Swalath at Medina. However, he used to recite these two Surahs and Surah Al-Ikhlaas three times after the Swalaths of Subhi and Magrib, as well as before sleeping at night, and once after the other compulsory swalaths. Thus, he recited these Surahs at least twelve times a day as vird.

The Messenger engaged in battles using weapons such as the sword, shield, spear, bow, and arrow. In the Battle of Uhud, the Messenger’s shield was broken, his head was injured, and a tooth was lost. At that time, Adhikr—which is the Shield and Safeguard against all calamities, disasters, diseases, and Hellfire—had not yet been formed as a Book. But today, since Adhikr, the Splendid Book mentioned in verse 41:41, has been codified, the believer who keeps the Lord in his heart by utilizing Adhikr will not be affected by any evil from Jinn Satan or human Satan. Since such believers help the Impartial Lord by conveying Adhikr—the Balance and Trust to keep the universe in equilibrium—to all mankind irrespective of nation, religion, caste, sex, or color, the Lord will help them in return, as explained in verses 22:40 and 47:7. Only such believers benefit by seeking refuge with these Surahs.