Sūratul-Falaq (Chapter 113, Verses 1-2) – Basic 1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Sūratul-Falaq (The Daybreak) is Chapter 113 of the Qur’an. It is a Makki Sūrah with five verses and is the second-to-last chapter. Muslims recite it, together with Sūratun-Nās, to seek Allah’s protection from evil. The first two verses teach us to seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak from the evil of what He created.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• State the meaning of Sūratul-Falaq and say its chapter number and number of verses.
• Recite verses 1-2 of Sūratul-Falaq.
• Give the meaning of verses 1-2.
• Explain why Allah is called the Lord of the daybreak.
• Name the times when Sūratul-Falaq is recited for protection.

What is Sūratul-Falaq?

Sūratul-Falaq means “The Daybreak” or “The Dawn”.

Important facts

• It is Chapter 113.
• It has 5 verses.
• It is a Makki Sūrah (revealed in Makkah).
• It is the second-to-last chapter of the Qur’an.
• We recite it for protection from evil.

Why is it called “Al-Falaq”?

• فَلَق (Falaq) means “daybreak” or “dawn”.
• It is the splitting of darkness into light.
• It is the beginning of a new day.

Sūratul-Falaq and Sūratun-Nās together

These two Sūrahs are called “Al-Mu’awwidhatayn” (المُعَوِّذَتَيْن), meaning “The Two Protecting Sūrahs”. They protect us from all evil.

Verse 1: what does it mean?

Arabic: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ

Transliteration: Qul a’udhu bi-Rabbil-falaq

Word-by-word

Meaning: Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak.

What is “Rabb Al-Falaq”?

Rabb (رَبّ) means Lord, Master, Sustainer. Al-Falaq (الْفَلَق) means the daybreak or dawn. This means:

• Allah is the Lord who splits darkness into light.
• He brings the morning light.
• He breaks through darkness.
• He has power over day and night.

Why “daybreak”?

1. It shows Allah’s power.
   • Every morning, Allah splits the darkness.
   • The sun rises by His command.
   • Day and night are in His control.
2. It symbolises hope.
   • After darkness comes light.
   • After difficulty comes ease.
   • Allah can break through any darkness in our lives.
3. It is a daily miracle.
   • Every day we see this miracle.
   • The sun rises without fail.
   • This reminds us of Allah’s power.
4. It represents new beginnings.
   • Each day is a new start.
   • It brings fresh opportunities.
   • It gives new chances to do good.

What are we seeking protection from?

When we say “A’udhu” (I seek refuge), we are running to Allah for protection, just like a child runs to their mother when scared.

Verse 2: what does it mean?

Arabic: مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

Transliteration: Min sharri ma khalaq

Word-by-word

Meaning: From the evil of what He created.

What does this mean?

We are asking Allah to protect us from the evil in His creation. Allah created everything, but some of His creation can have evil in them:

1. Evil in people
   • Some people do bad things.
   • They might want to harm us.
   • They might be jealous.
   • They might lie or cheat.
2. Evil in animals
   • Poisonous snakes
   • Dangerous lions
   • Harmful insects
   • Attacking dogs
3. Evil in nature
   • Storms and floods
   • Earthquakes
   • Diseases and germs
   • Extreme heat or cold
4. Evil in Jinn and Shaytan
   • Shaytan whispers evil.
   • Evil jinn can harm.
   • They try to lead us astray.

Why did Allah create evil things?

Allah created everything for a reason:

1. As a test: to see who is patient and faithful.
2. To teach us: we learn from difficulties.
3. To make us strong: challenges make us better.
4. To make us return to Him: when we face evil, we remember Allah.

Allah also gave us protection through these beautiful du’as.

Reading verses 1-2 together

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

Translation: Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, from the evil of what He created.

How do we use these verses?

1. Morning protection
   • Recite after Fajr prayer.
   • Recite 3 times.
   • Blow in your hands.
   • Wipe over your body.
   • You are protected for the day.
2. Evening protection
   • Recite after Maghrib.
   • Recite 3 times.
   • Use the same method.
   • You are protected for the night.
3. Before sleeping
   • Recite once.
   • It protects you while you sleep.
   • It keeps bad dreams away.
4. When facing danger
   • If you see something scary
   • If you are in a dangerous situation
   • Recite and trust Allah.
5. When travelling
   • Going on a trip
   • Entering new places
   • Recite for protection.

What did the Prophet (SAW) say about Sūratul-Falaq?

The Prophet (SAW) said: “There is nothing more effective for seeking refuge than these (two Sūrahs)”. He meant Sūratul-Falaq and Sūratun-Nās.

‘Aishah (RA) said: “When the Prophet (SAW) went to bed every night, he would hold his palms together, spit in them softly, recite the last three Sūrahs of the Qur’an (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nās), then wipe over as much of his body as he could reach, starting with his head and face and the front of his body. He would do this three times.”

How can we memorise Sūratul-Falaq?

Notice the similarity

• Sūratul-Falaq starts: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ
• Sūratun-Nās starts: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ

Both begin the same way, with قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ (Qul a’udhu bi-Rabbi). Then they differ: الْفَلَقِ (al-falaq) and النَّاسِ (an-nas). This makes them easy to learn together.

Practice steps

Day 1: Memorise verse 1.

• قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ
• Repeat 10 times.
• Understand the meaning.

Day 2: Memorise verse 2.

• مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
• It is very short and easy.
• Repeat 10 times.

Day 3: Say verses 1-2 together.

• Repeat 20 times.
• Get the flow.

Day 4-5: Perfect and review.

• Recite to parents.
• Recite after prayers.

What are the benefits of learning Sūratul-Falaq?

1. Protection from all evil: general protection.
2. Following the Prophet’s Sunnah: he recited it daily.
3. Peace of mind: knowing Allah protects you.
4. Baraka (blessings): in your day.
5. Reward from Allah: for every letter.

Du’a

“O Allah, Rabb Al-Falaq (Lord of Daybreak),
Protect me from all evil.
Keep me safe from harm.
Make me among those You love.
Ameen.”

Evaluation

1. Sūratul-Falaq means _____.
   • a) The Night
   • b) The Daybreak
   • c) The Moon
2. Sūratul-Falaq is Chapter _____.
   • a) 113
   • b) 114
   • c) 115
3. “Al-Falaq” means _____.
   • a) the people
   • b) the daybreak
   • c) the sky
4. In verse 2, we seek protection from the evil of what Allah _____.
   • a) destroyed
   • b) created
   • c) forgot
5. Sūratul-Falaq has _____ verses.
   • a) 3
   • b) 5
   • c) 7

Assignment

1. Memorise verses 1-2 of Sūratul-Falaq.
2. Recite them 3 times every morning.
3. Learn the meaning of each verse.
4. Practise blowing in your hands and wiping over your body.