الفلق
A short prayer asking Allah to protect us from outside harms: darkness, envy, and the things people sometimes do to hurt others. One of the two surahs of refuge.
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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak,"
From the harm of what He created,
From the harm of the dark night when it covers everything,
From the harm of those who blow on knots,
And from the harm of an envier when he envies.
About Al-Falaq
Al-Falaq means "the daybreak" or "the dawn." It is the 113th surah of the Quran, just one before An-Nas. Together with An-Nas, it is called one of the Mu'awwidhatayn, the two surahs of seeking refuge.
While An-Nas asks Allah to protect us from harm coming from inside (bad whispers in our hearts), Al-Falaq asks Allah to protect us from harm coming from outside: darkness, envy, and the harmful things some people do.
Both surahs are usually recited together, especially before sleep. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recited them every night, blowing into his palms and rubbing them over his body. Today, Muslims still follow this beautiful sunnah.
Al-Falaq and An-Nas are always recited together as the two surahs of refuge. Al-Falaq protects from harm from outside us. An-Nas protects from harm from inside us. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recited them every night before sleep.
Read An-Nas, the partner surah →Surahs paired with Al-Falaq
Al-Falaq is one of the three Quls, recited together for protection and blessing. Al-Fatiha is also a beautiful companion:
For Parents
What does Al-Falaq mean?
Al-Falaq (الفلق) means "the daybreak" or "the dawn." It refers to the moment when light breaks through the darkness at the start of a new day.
Some scholars also say it can mean "creation," since the dawn breaks the night just as creation breaks from nothing.
Why is Al-Falaq called a surah of refuge?
Al-Falaq is one of the Mu'awwidhatayn, "the two surahs of seeking refuge," along with An-Nas. Both are short prayers asking Allah for protection.
Al-Falaq focuses on protection from outside harms: darkness, envy, and the harmful actions of others.
What are the Mu'awwidhatayn?
The Mu'awwidhatayn (المعوذتان) are the two surahs of seeking protection: Al-Falaq (Surah 113) and An-Nas (Surah 114).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) often recited both before bed, blowing into his palms and rubbing them over his body, following a beautiful sunnah.
How long is Surah Al-Falaq?
Al-Falaq is five verses long. It takes about 12 to 15 seconds to recite.
Most children can memorize it within a few days of regular listening, especially when paired with An-Nas.
What does "those who blow on knots" mean?
In ancient times, some people would tie knots in string and blow on them while saying magic words to try to harm others. The Quran asks Allah for protection from this kind of harm.
The verse reminds us that no matter what bad things people might try to do, Allah is stronger than all of it.
What are the three Quls?
The three Quls are Al-Ikhlas (Surah 112), Al-Falaq (Surah 113), and An-Nas (Surah 114). They are called the Quls because each begins with the Arabic word "Qul," meaning "Say."
Many families recite all three before sleep each night.
How can my child memorize Al-Falaq?
Al-Falaq has a strong, repeating rhythm with the phrase "wa min sharri" ("and from the harm of"). This makes it easy for children to pick up.
Play the audio at bedtime, alongside An-Nas. Many families recite both together every night, so children naturally absorb them in pair.
When was Surah Al-Falaq revealed?
Most scholars say Al-Falaq was revealed in Medina, along with An-Nas, as a pair. Some narrations link both surahs to a moment when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) needed Allah's protection.
From that time on, both surahs have been recited together for refuge.