الناس
An Nas
Also known as: Al-Mu'awwidhatayn (second of the two refuge surahs), Al-Kanz (The Treasure)
Verses
6
Revelation
Makki
Period
Early Meccan
Surah No.
114 / 114
An-Nas is the final surah of the Quran, the second of the Mu'awwidhatayn. It commands seeking refuge in the Lord, King, and God of mankind from the evil of the retreating whisperer (al-waswas al-khannas), who whispers into the hearts of mankind, whether he be from the jinn or from human beings. The triple designation of Allah, Rabb (Sustainer), Malik (King), Ilah (Deity), covers the complete dimensions of divine authority, providing comprehensive spiritual protection against the internal enemy of the soul.
أسباب النزول
Revealed alongside Al-Falaq in response to the same sihr incident involving Labid ibn al-A'sam. While Al-Falaq addresses external evils, An-Nas addresses the internal enemy: the whisperer who retreats upon the remembrance of Allah and then creeps back. This surah identifies the whisperer as potentially from both jinn and human beings, covering all sources of internal spiritual corruption and evil suggestion.
“Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the Sovereign of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the retreating whisperer.”
The threefold designation, Rabb (Sustainer who nurtures), Malik (King with authority), and Ilah (Deity deserving worship), presents the complete case for why Allah alone is the sufficient refuge against every internal whisperer and doubt.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite Al-Falaq and An-Nas to seek protection each night before sleeping, wiping his body three times. The Quran closes with this surah as a fitting seal: the final message to humanity is to seek refuge in the Lord of humanity against the eternal internal enemy.