Surah Al-Falaq: Meaning, Translation, and Protection From Evil (Surah 113)

Quick answer: Surah Al-Falaq (“The Daybreak”) is the 113th surah of the Quran. It has 5 short verses, and together with Surah An-Nas it forms the Mu‘awwidhatayn, the two surahs of seeking refuge. In it we ask Allah, the Lord of daybreak, for protection from the evil of creation, the darkness when it settles, those who practise sihr (blowing on knots), and the envier when he envies.

Surah Al-Falaq at a Glance

• Names: Al-Falaq (the Daybreak), with Surah An-Nas called the Mu‘awwidhatayn
• Number: 113, in Juz 30
• Verses: 5
• Revealed in: Makkah according to some scholars and Madinah according to others
• Main theme: Seeking refuge in Allah from outside harm

Surah Al-Falaq in Arabic With Transliteration and Meaning

Transliteration: Qul a‘oodhu bi rabbil-falaq. Min sharri maa khalaq. Wa min sharri ghaasiqin idhaa waqab. Wa min sharrin-naffaathaati fil-‘uqad. Wa min sharri haasidin idhaa hasad.

English meaning: Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak, from the evil of what He has created, from the evil of the darkness when it settles, from the evil of those who blow on knots, and from the evil of an envier when he envies.”

اردو مفہوم: کہہ دیجیے کہ میں صبح کے رب کی پناہ لیتا ہوں، ہر اس چیز کے شر سے جو اس نے پیدا کی، اور اندھیری رات کے شر سے جب وہ چھا جائے، اور گرہوں میں پھونکنے والیوں کے شر سے، اور حسد کرنے والے کے شر سے جب وہ حسد کرے۔

These are plain-language meanings, not a replacement for a full translation. Read a trusted translation and tafsir alongside them.

Tafsir: What Each Verse Means

Verse 1: The Lord of the daybreak

Al-falaq means the splitting of darkness by dawn. Some scholars say it also means all of creation, which Allah splits from nothing. Using this name connects the request with a moment everyone sees every day: Allah brings light out of darkness and can bring safety out of fear.

Verse 2: The evil of what He created

This is general. It covers harm from creatures, such as animals, people and jinn. It does not say creation itself is evil. It asks protection from the harm some creatures can cause.

Verse 3: The darkness when it settles

Ghasiq is explained as the night when it becomes dark and, in some tafsir, the moon when it sets or an eclipse. Night is a time when harm and fear increase, so we ask for protection.

Verse 4: Those who blow on knots

This refers to sihr (witchcraft), in which knots were tied and blown upon. Sihr is a real matter in the Quran and the Sunnah, and it is forbidden. The surah teaches that the believer’s protection is trust in Allah, not another practice.

Verse 5: The envier when he envies

Envy (hasad) is wishing that a blessing leaves another person. The verse says “when he envies,” because the harm becomes real when envy turns into action. Scholars connect this to the evil eye. See Nazar Bad Ki Dua for details on what to read and what to avoid.

Hadith About Surah Al-Falaq

• No like of them. The Prophet ﷺ said to Uqba ibn Amir (may Allah be pleased with him): “Have you not seen the verses revealed tonight, the like of which has never been seen? Qul a‘udhu bi rabbil-falaq and Qul a‘udhu bi rabbin-nas” (Sahih Muslim).
• After every prayer. Uqba ibn Amir said the Prophet ﷺ commanded him to recite the Mu‘awwidhatayn after every prayer (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasa’i).
• Morning and evening. Abdullah ibn Khubayb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas and the two surahs of refuge three times in the morning and evening is enough for you against everything (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi, graded hasan by many scholars). Read about Surah Al-Ikhlas.
• Before sleep. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that every night when he went to bed, the Prophet ﷺ would join his palms, blow into them, recite Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, then wipe over his body as far as he could reach, three times (Sahih al-Bukhari). See our sone ki dua guide.

Was It Revealed Because of Sihr?

A report in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), says the Prophet ﷺ was affected by sihr cast by a man named Labid ibn al-A‘sam, and that Allah showed him where it was and he was cured. Some scholars connect the revelation of the two surahs of refuge with this event. Other scholars say the link is not firmly established and note that the surah may have been revealed earlier. Because of this, scholars differ on whether Al-Falaq is Makkan or Madani.

Lessons From Surah Al-Falaq

• Seek refuge in Allah first. Protection starts with turning to the Lord of daybreak. See Hifazat Ki Dua.
• Harm is real, but Allah is greater. The surah names darkness, sihr and envy and sends us to Allah for each.
• Do not harbour envy. The surah warns us against being the envier as well as protecting us from one.
• Make it a daily habit. The sunnah times are after prayer, morning, evening and before sleep.
• Trust, then act. Combine dua with trust in Allah. See tawakkul.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many verses does Surah Al-Falaq have?

Five verses.

What does Al-Falaq mean?

It means the daybreak, the splitting of darkness by dawn.

Is Surah Al-Falaq Makkan or Madani?

Scholars differ. Some say Makkan and others say Madani.

Which Juz is Surah Al-Falaq in?

Juz 30.

When should Surah Al-Falaq be recited?

The authentic reports mention after every prayer, in the morning and evening, and before sleep, together with Surah Al-Ikhlas and Surah An-Nas.

Does reciting Surah Al-Falaq remove sihr or the evil eye by itself?

It is among the strongest duas of protection, and it is part of ruqyah. Healing is by Allah’s permission. Avoid anyone who asks for money, strange rituals or things that contradict the Sunnah.

Conclusion

Surah Al-Falaq is five verses long, but it is one of the Prophet’s ﷺ daily protections. Learn it with its meaning, recite it after prayer and at the start and end of the day, and teach it to your children.

Continue with Surah Al-Qalam, Surah Al-Qadr and Surah Al-Kausar, or find a gathering near you on our Islamic events page.

Please confirm the Arabic text and rulings with a qualified scholar or a printed mushaf.