Sūratul-Falaq (Chapter 113, Verses 3-5) – Basic 1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Sūratul-Falaq (Chapter 113) is a short Sūrah in which we seek refuge in Allah from evil. Verses 3 to 5 name three evils: darkness when it settles in, those who blow on knots (magic), and an envier when he envies. This note gives the Arabic, meaning and simple explanation of each verse.

Behavioural objectives

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

• recite verses 3 to 5 of Sūratul-Falaq in Arabic;
• give the meaning of each of the three verses;
• explain what hasad (envy) is and give examples;
• list ways to protect ourselves from the evil of darkness, magic and envy;
• say “Masha Allah” when they see something good.

What does verse 3 say?

Arabic: وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ

Transliteration: Wa min sharri ghasiqin idha waqab

Meaning: And from the evil of darkness when it settles in.

Word-by-word

• وَ (Wa) = And
• مِن (Min) = From
• شَرِّ (Sharri) = The evil
• غَاسِقٍ (Ghasiqin) = Of darkness (the night)
• إِذَا (Idha) = When
• وَقَبَ (Waqab) = It settles in

What is the evil of darkness?

Ghasiq means the darkness of night. Some bad things happen more easily at night, because people cannot see clearly. The Prophet (SAW) said: “When night falls, keep your children close, for the devils spread out at that time.” (Hadith, Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah)

How can we stay safe at night?

• Lock the doors.
• Keep children inside when it gets dark.
• Say Bismillah before sleeping.
• Recite the protecting Sūrahs before sleeping.
• Sleep with Wudu.

What does verse 4 say?

Arabic: وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّٰثَٰتِ فِى ٱلْعُقَدِ

Transliteration: Wa min sharrin-naffathati fil-‘uqad

Meaning: And from the evil of those who blow on knots.

Word-by-word

• وَ (Wa) = And
• مِن (Min) = From
• شَرِّ (Sharri) = The evil
• ٱلنَّفَّٰثَٰتِ (an-naffathati) = Of those who blow
• فِى (Fi) = Into/On
• ٱلْعُقَدِ (al-‘uqad) = The knots

What is the evil of those who blow on knots?

This verse is about magic and sorcery (Sihr, سِحْر). Magicians tie knots, blow on them and say evil words to harm people. Magic is haram (forbidden) in Islam. We must not practise it and we must not go to magicians or fortune-tellers.

Magic cannot harm anyone unless Allah allows it. Allah is stronger than any magic.

How can we protect ourselves from magic?

• Trust in Allah and do not fear magicians.
• Recite the Qur’an, especially Ayatul-Kursi and these protecting Sūrahs.
• Say Bismillah and remember Allah often.
• Make du’a and ask Allah for protection.

Aisha (RA) reported that every night before sleeping, the Prophet (SAW) would cup his hands together, blow into them, recite Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nās, and wipe over his body. (Sahih al-Bukhari)

What does verse 5 say?

Arabic: وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ

Transliteration: Wa min sharri hasidin idha hasad

Meaning: And from the evil of an envier when he envies.

Word-by-word

• وَ (Wa) = And
• مِن (Min) = From
• شَرِّ (Sharri) = The evil
• حَاسِدٍ (Hasidin) = Of an envier
• إِذَا (Idha) = When
• حَسَدَ (Hasad) = He envies

What is hasad (حَسَد)?

Hasad means envy or jealousy. It is wanting what someone else has, or wishing they would lose their blessings. Hasad is a sin.

Examples of hasad:

• Your friend gets a new toy, and you wish it was yours instead.
• Someone does well in school, and you wish they had failed.
• Someone is happy, and you wish they were sad.

What is the evil eye (العَيْن, Al-‘Ayn)?

The evil eye is harm that can come from the envy of a jealous person, by Allah’s permission. The Prophet (SAW) said: “The evil eye is real.” (Hadith, Bukhari and Muslim)

How can we protect ourselves from hasad?

• Say Bismillah before showing something new.
• Say Masha Allah (ما شاء الله) when you see something good. It means “What Allah has willed”.
• Do not show off or brag about your things.
• Recite the protecting Sūrahs and trust in Allah.

How can we avoid being an envier?

• Be happy for others and say “Masha Allah, may Allah bless you.”
• Thank Allah for the blessings you already have.
• Ask Allah in du’a for what you need, instead of being jealous.
• Learn from people who do better than you and try to improve yourself.

The Qur’an says: “Or do they envy people for what Allah has given them of His bounty?” (Qur’an 4:54)

What is the complete Sūratul-Falaq?

Arabic: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّٰثَٰتِ فِى ٱلْعُقَدِ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ

Translation: Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, from the evil of what He created, and from the evil of darkness when it settles in, and from the evil of those who blow on knots, and from the evil of an envier when he envies.

How can we memorise Sūratul-Falaq?

Recite it after every prayer, before sleeping, and in the morning and evening.

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. “Ghasiq” in verse 3 means _____.
   • a) light
   • b) darkness
   • c) water
2. “Blowing on knots” refers to _____.
   • a) cleaning
   • b) magic
   • c) cooking
3. Hasad means _____.
   • a) love
   • b) envy or jealousy
   • c) kindness
4. When we see something good, we should say _____.
   • a) Nothing
   • b) Masha Allah
   • c) Goodbye
5. The verse about the evil of an envier is _____.
   • a) verse 3
   • b) verse 4
   • c) verse 5

Answer key for teachers

1. b) darkness
2. b) magic
3. b) envy or jealousy
4. b) Masha Allah
5. c) verse 5

Assignment

1. Memorise the complete Sūratul-Falaq (all 5 verses).
2. Recite it 3 times every morning and evening.
3. Say “Masha Allah” when you see something good.
4. Teach this Sūrah to a family member.