Surah An Nas Translation And Explaination
Surah nas is one of the shorter chapters in the thirtieth and final part of the Quran, specifically the fourteenth surah in the traditional ordering of the Quran. It is a Meccan surah, meaning it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) before the migration to Medina. Surah nas consists of only six verses, all of which are quite short.
The surah addresses the command of Allah (God) to His beloved Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), to seek refuge in Allah, the Lord of mankind. It’s noteworthy that in various Hadiths (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), there is an emphasis on the virtue of reciting the last two chapters of the Quran, Surah Al-Falaq (The Daybreak) and Surah nas, along with Surah Al-Ikhlas (The Sincerity) three times each daily as part of the morning and evening supplications and before sleeping. The Prophet Muhammad would also recite Surah nas and Surah Al-Falaq and blow onto his hands, then pass them over his body when retiring to bed.
These surahs, particularly Surah nas, are often recited for protection, seeking refuge in Allah alone. They serve as a shield against the evil of all forms of creatures, whether human or jinn.
Reason for the Revelation of Surah nas:
The reason for the revelation of Surah nas is similar to that of Surah Al-Falaq. It was revealed as a form of protection (ruqyah) for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) due to an incident involving a Jewish boy who used to serve the Prophet. The Jews had asked the boy to perform an act of magic using the Prophet’s hair, which they had obtained. The magic was performed, and it affected the Prophet, causing him to become ill and affecting his hair.
Upon this incident, Allah revealed Surah Al-Falaq and Surah nas, instructing the Prophet to seek refuge in Him from the evil of all creatures, be they jinn or mankind, and from the harm of sorcery and jealousy. These surahs are considered a means of protection against the evil eye and all forms of harm.
The Name "Surah Nas":
The surah is named “An-Nas,” which means “mankind” or “people.” It begins with the phrase “قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ”، (Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind’). Like many other surahs in the Quran, its name is derived from the subject matter it addresses. In this case, the surah emphasizes seeking refuge in Allah, the Lord and Sustainer of all people.
Explanation of Surah Nas
- A’udhu: I seek refuge.
- Rabbin-nas: The Lord of mankind.
- Malikin-nas: The Sovereign of mankind.
- Ilahin-nas: The God of mankind.
- Min sharil-waswasil-khannas: From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws.
- Alladhi yuwaswisu fi sudurin-nas: Who whispers evil into the breasts of mankind.
- Mina al-jinnati wan-nas: From among the jinn and mankind.
How Surah nas Can Protect Us
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind”: The Lord is the One who created us and holds control over all our affairs. He nurtures us, heals us, listens to us, and observes us. We cannot live without Him, for there is no deity worthy of worship except Him.
Although we cannot see Him, He constantly sees us and loves us when we follow what He has commanded in the Quran. We turn to Allah when we fear any matter, and thus, nothing can overcome us when Allah is with us.
The King of mankind: Imagine if I told you that today you would be the ruler of this house. What would your possessions be like? What would you have? (Let your child’s imagination roam a bit here.) Well, Allah is the King of everything, all creatures, and everything that exists. Can you imagine how magnificent Allah’s sovereignty is?
The God of mankind: The God is the one we worship, obey His commands, and stay away from what He forbids. We pray to please Him and read His book, which He revealed to us.
From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws: The whisperer is Satan, a very weak creature who doesn’t like believers. He is delighted when people commit sins and mistakes. Because we love Allah, we stay away from sins and don’t imitate Satan by committing them. Satan flees from anywhere there is mention of Allah. Let’s think about words and actions that Satan dislikes. If you pray, will he be pleased? Well, if you argue with your sibling and hit them, will that make him happy or angry? If you say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) before eating, and so on…
Who whispers evil into the breasts of mankind: Sometimes, thoughts come into your mind, things you might do that are wrong and do not please our Lord. For example, annoying your siblings or not obeying your parents. Some of these thoughts come from Satan’s whispering, so say, “A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim” (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan). Allah will guide you to do the right thing.
From among the jinn and mankind: There are some friends who imitate Satan in certain matters. They like to see people make mistakes. For example, if you want to pray and your friend says, “Don’t pray now; you’re still young,” isn’t that like whispering from Satan? That’s why we always try to choose friends who help us obey Allah, not disobey Him.
The Virtue of Reciting Surah Nas
- It affirms the Oneness of Allah and His Lordship over all of creation.
- The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, recommended reciting Surah nas and Surah Al-Ikhlas, especially in the morning and evening, as part of the daily supplications (adhkar). You can also learn about the explanation of Surah Al-Falaq for children.
- In conclusion, Surah nas is a powerful means of seeking refuge and protection in Allah.
- Its recitation reminds us of Allah’s sovereignty, His status as the One and Only God, and the need to shield ourselves from the whispers of Satan and negative influences.
- It reinforces the concept of monotheism and reliance on Allah as the ultimate protector. Regularly reciting this surah is a way to seek Allah’s guidance, blessings, and protection in our daily lives.
The God of mankind: The God is the one we worship, obey His commands, and stay away from what He forbids. We pray to please Him and read His book, which He revealed to us.
