"While I was leading the Messenger of Allah [SAW] (on his mount) in one of these mountain passes, he said: 'Why don't you ride, O 'Uqbah?' I had too much respect for the Messenger of Allah [SAW] to ride the mount of the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. Then he said: 'Why don't you ride, O 'Uqbah?' I was worried that I might be disobeying him, so he got off, and I rode for a little while, then I got off and the Messenger of Allah [SAW] rode. Then he said: 'Shall I not teach you two of the best Surahs that the people recite?' And he taught me: 'Say: I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of the daybreak,' and 'Say: I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind." Then the Iqamah was said and he went forward and recited them. Then he passed by me and said: 'What do you think, O 'Uqbah bin 'Amir? Recite them every time you go to sleep and get up.'"
The Book of Seeking Refuge with Allah - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5437
This narration from 'Uqbah bin 'Amir al-Juhani demonstrates the Prophet's ﷺ profound compassion and pedagogical wisdom. The exchange reveals how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gently persisted in his invitation to ride, showing concern for his companion's comfort while respecting his reverence. This incident occurred during travel, where the Prophet ﷺ seized the opportunity to impart spiritual knowledge.
Excellence of al-Mu'awwidhatayn
The two surahs mentioned - Surah al-Falaq (The Daybreak) and Surah an-Nas (Mankind) - are collectively known as al-Mu'awwidhatayn (the two seeking refuge chapters). The Prophet ﷺ described them as "the best Surahs that the people recite," indicating their superior merit in seeking Allah's protection.
Scholars explain that these surahs contain comprehensive protection from all evils - both apparent and hidden, from creation and from the self. Surah al-Falaq protects from external harms while Surah an-Nas protects from internal whisperings and spiritual corruptions.
Practical Implementation
The Prophet's ﷺ instruction to recite them "every time you go to sleep and get up" establishes a perpetual practice for the believer. This transforms daily transitions into acts of worship and divine protection. Classical commentators emphasize that this practice creates a spiritual fortress around the Muslim throughout their waking and sleeping hours.
The timing is significant: sleep represents vulnerability and wakefulness represents engagement with worldly affairs. Thus, these recitations provide continuous divine guardianship during all states of human existence.
Pedagogical Wisdom
The Prophet ﷺ taught these surahs after demonstrating practical kindness, making the spiritual lesson more impactful. This methodology shows how Islamic education combines theoretical knowledge with lived experience. The teaching occurred naturally during travel, illustrating that opportunities for spiritual instruction exist in all circumstances.
The final instruction "What do you think, O 'Uqbah?" engages the companion's intellect and emphasizes the importance of these surahs, ensuring they would be cherished and consistently practiced.