Some narrations in certain books have said
this surah was revealed when some magicians practiced magic on the Prophet Muhammad and he
became sick. The angel Gabriel came down and told the Prophet that the spell is in a well.
The prophet told Imam Ali to bring the spell and to untie the knots and recite
surat al Falaq and Surat al Naas. Then the Prophet was not sick anymore.
This story has been rejected by the scholars not just because the narrations
are weak, but the Quran tells us “it is the wicked ones that say that he is bewitched”
- “they have left the right path” (25:8-9) Allah swears that the (53:2-3) prophet
is not deluded and does not speak out of his own desires and Allah also says (4:80)
whoever obeys the Prophet has obeyed Allah. Does it make sense that Allah is telling
us to follow the Prophet but the prophet is bewitched. Of course not.
The Sura starts off with Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim بِسْمِ
اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ Qul a’uthu bi rabbil falaq
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ Say: I seek protection with
the Lord of the Daybreak The word falaq originally
means to split and separate. Like when the day pieces through
the night it is called falaq Some have said falaq means everything that is
created splits and separates, like a baby from its mother, some animals through eggs, plants
split through seeds, springs split through soil, rain splits through the clouds and etc.
Allah is the one that splits the darkness and evils and brings light and guidance.
The next verse says Min sharri maa khalaq مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
From the evil of which He has created Allah says that he has created everything Good.
(32:7), this ayah means we are seeking protection from what we consider evil. Earthquakes and
volcanos are good for the earth. A snake’s venom is good for the snake as it protects itself.
But these things can sometimes harm us, so we label them evil. We are asking
Allah to protect us from such things. The next verse says
Wa min sharri ghaasiqin itha waqab وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
And from the evil of the dark night when it comes Scary and harmful creatures, robbers and
other evil things usually come at night and attack. This could also be spiritual
darkness. Darkness when you are stuck in the world with no answers and need the
Light of Guidance. We are asking Allah to protect us from these evil creatures,
the people and this spiritual darkness. The next verse says
Wa min sharrin naffaathaati fil ‘uqad وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ
And from the evil of those who blow on knots Who are the evil ones who blow knots?
Some have said they are the witches and magicians who tie knots on a string
and blow into it practicing magic. Magic is absolutely forbidden in Islam.
Some have also said they are certain people who murmur things into the ears of others
loosening the knots in their hearts weakening their will and letting out secrets. They start
behaving as if they are under a magic spell. The next verse says
Wa min sharri haasidin itha hasad وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
And from the evil of the envious (ones) when they envy
Envy means you hate what that person has and wish that it was taken away from
them and given to you instead. The envy people feel really jealous and hold grudges.
Envy is one of the major sins in Islam. So from the start of the Sura, we are seeking
help and protection with Allah from 4 things. All the evil things that we consider evil.
All the evil things that come in the dark night All the evils of those that blow knots and
loosen our faith with their temptations All those that are envious.
We seek protection with Allah who is rabbil falaq, the Lord who splits the evil
and darkness and brings light and guidance.