Sura al-Nās

al-Nas is the 114th sura of the Qur’an, which means ‘The Humankind’, and takes its name from the first three verses. The sura belongs to the Meccan period and comprises 6 verses, 20 words, 79 letters, and 1 segment. It is the 21st sura in chronological order, revealed after Sura al-Falaq. The first verse counsels that one should say: ‘I seek refuge with the Lord of humankind’. The remaining 5 verses are a completion of the invocation. They describe God Almighty as the Supreme Sovereign and God Almighty of humankind. It further specifies that the evil from which refuge is sought is that of the Devil, called here ‘The Tempter’ and the Sneaky Satan, because Satan whispers in the hearts of humans. And upon taking God Almighty’s name, Satan is banished away from the believer’s heart and mind. Satans are known to be among the jinn, as well as among humankind. Thus, the recitation of both Suras (al-Mu‘awwidhatan) together protects humans from all kinds of evil and misfortune. al-Bukhari and Muslim narrate on the authority of ‘A’isha (may God be pleased with her), who said: ‘When any of his household was ill, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) would blow over them after reciting the Mu‘awwidhat. When he was in the illness in which he passed away, I began blowing over him and wiping with his hand—as that was of greater blessings than my hand.’ al-Bukhari narrates in al-Sahih on the authority of ‘A’isha (may God be pleased with her), who said: ‘Whenever the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) retired to his bed, he (blessings and peace be upon him) would blow into his palms after reciting the Mu‘awwidhatan [i.e. Sura al-Falaq and Sura al-Nas], and then wipe them over his face, and over whatever of his body they would reach.’ Muslim, al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasa’i narrate from ‘Uqba b. ‘Amir (may God be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, ‘Do you not see the verses revealed last night, that nothing will ever be seen equal to them: ‘Sura al-Falaq and Sura al-Nas.’ Ahmad and al-Nasa’i narrate on the authority of Abu ‘Abd Allah that Ibn ‘Abis al-Juhani informed him that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said: ‘O Ibn ‘Abis! Should I not inform you of the most excellent by which the refuge seekers should seek refuge?’ I said: ‘Of course, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said: ‘Sura al-Falaq and Sura al-Nas.’