قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ 1
Translations
Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
Transliteration
Qul a'udhu bi-rabbi al-nas
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah An-Nas commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to seek refuge with the Lord of mankind from all evil and harm. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this is an instruction for believers to place their complete trust and protection in Allah alone, acknowledging His sovereignty over all people and His absolute power to ward off evil. The phrase 'Rabb al-Nas' (Lord of Mankind) emphasizes that Allah is the Master and Sustainer of all human beings, and only He possesses the authority and ability to provide true protection.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Nas is one of the final surahs revealed in Mecca and serves as a protective supplication for believers. The surah was revealed to teach the Muslim community how to seek divine protection, particularly against the whispers of Satan (waswas) and the evil suggestions that tempt humanity away from righteousness. It provides a practical formula for spiritual defense that complements the preceding surah, Al-Falaq.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) regularly taught the recitation of Surah An-Nas and Al-Falaq as daily protections. Recorded in Sunan An-Nasa'i and Sunan Ibn Majah, the Prophet recommended reciting these surahs three times each morning and evening for protection (ruqya) against all forms of evil.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that ultimate security and protection come only from Allah, the Lord of all mankind, encouraging us to turn to Him in sincere supplication whenever we face uncertainty, fear, or spiritual challenges in our daily lives.