What wonderful verses have been sent down today. the like of which has never been seen! They are:" Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the dawn," and" Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of men."
The Book of Prayer - Travellers
Author: Sahih Muslim | Hadith Reference: Sahih Muslim 814 a
Exegesis of the Mu'awwidhatayn
These two noble chapters - Surah al-Falaq (The Dawn) and Surah an-Nas (Mankind) - are collectively known as the Mu'awwidhatayn (the two seekings of refuge). They were revealed together as divinely prescribed protections for the believer.
Imam al-Qurtubi states: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) particularly cherished these surahs for their comprehensive protection against all evils - both seen and unseen, from mankind and jinn, from envy and witchcraft."
Spiritual Significance
Ibn Kathir explains in his tafsir: "These chapters teach the believer complete dependence upon Allah alone. By seeking refuge with the Lord of Dawn, one acknowledges Allah's power over the visible creation. By seeking refuge with the Lord of Mankind, one recognizes His sovereignty over the unseen realms of human hearts and whisperings."
Al-Alusi adds: "The sequential revelation demonstrates the perfection of Divine wisdom - first protecting from external harms (al-Falaq), then from internal spiritual diseases (an-Nas)."
Practical Application
The consensus of scholars, as recorded in Fath al-Bari, establishes that reciting these surahs three times each morning and evening provides complete spiritual protection. Imam Nawawi emphasizes: "They are the most comprehensive shield against evil eyes, magic, and whisperings of the shayateen."
This practice embodies the Prophetic teaching: "Whoever recites them in the morning and evening, they will suffice him from everything" (Sunan Abu Dawud).