Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page 169
169 Chapter 113 Al-Falaq [T (Revealed after Hijrah) Date of Revelation and Context This and the next S u rah are so closely linked together that though they are complete in themselves and independent of each other, yet the following S u rah (An-N a s) may be regarded as complementary to the present S u rah. The present S u rah deals with one aspect of the same subject while the next S u rah deals with the other. Both the S u rahs together are called Mu‘awwidhat a n meaning, 'the two that afford protection,' because both of them open with the expression, 'I seek refuge in the Lord. ' There is a wide divergence of opinion among scholars regarding the time when these S u rahs were revealed. Some scholars, including Ibn ‘Abb a s and Qat a dah, assign them to Medina, while according to H asan, ‘Ikrimah, ‘A ta ’ and J a bir, they were revealed at Mecca. Taking all relevant facts and historical data into consideration, the majority of Muslim scholars and Commentators are inclined to place them among the Meccan S u rahs. Subject-Matter The connection of these two S u rahs with S u rah Al-Ikhl as consists in the fact that in Al-Ikhl as believers were enjoined to proclaim to the world that God is One and Unique, that He is far above anything or any person being a partner in His Divinity. In these two S u rahs believers are told that they should not be afraid of any tyrant, dictator or ruler in the discharge of this sacred duty and should hold the firm belief that God is the Sole Director and Controller of the whole universe and that He has the power to protect His votaries from any harm or injury that the forces of darkness might seek to do them. Though constituting an integral part of the Qur’ a n these two S u rahs may be regarded as forming a sort of epilogue to it. The main body of the Qur’ a n seems to end with S u rah Al- Ikhl as , which recapitulates, as it were, in a nutshell, the basic Qur’ a nic principles; and in these two S u rahs believers are enjoined to seek Divine protection against deviating from the right path and against the mischiefs and evils which might adversely affect their material well-being and spiritual development. The Holy Prophet used to recite them regularly before going to bed.