وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ 3
Translations
And from the evil of darkness when it settles
Transliteration
wa min sharri ghāsiqin idhā waqaba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah seeks refuge from the evil of the night when darkness falls and spreads. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret 'ghāsiq' (the darkener/night) as referring to darkness itself and the dangers and evils that emerge under cover of night, including harmful creatures, thieves, and spiritual harms. The phrase 'idhā waqaba' (when it falls/enters) emphasizes the moment when night descends completely, making it a time of particular vulnerability requiring divine protection.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Falaq is a Meccan surah revealed as a comprehensive prayer for protection against various categories of harm. This ayah is thematic to the surah's overall purpose of seeking Allah's protection and does not have a specific historical revelation context. It addresses the universal human experience of fear and vulnerability during darkness, a condition understood both literally and spiritually in Islamic tradition.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) recommended reciting Surah Al-Falaq and Al-Nas three times daily for protection (Sunan Abu Dawud 5082). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3114) encourages seeking refuge with Allah from the evil of created things, which encompasses the protective intent of this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that acknowledging vulnerability and actively seeking Allah's protection through supplication is a sign of wisdom and faith. In our modern context, it reminds us to cultivate spiritual vigilance and reliance on Allah during times of uncertainty, darkness, and fear, recognizing that true security comes only through divine protection.
Related Ayahs
فَإِنْ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ مَآ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦ فَقَدِ ٱهْتَدَوا۟ ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِى شِقَاقٍ ۖ فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
So if they believe in the same as you believe in, then they have been [rightly] guided; but if they turn away, they are only in dissension, and Allāh will be sufficient for you against them. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ
Except, among them, Your chosen servants."
فَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْأَسْفَلِينَ
And they intended for him a plan [i.e., harm], but We made them the most debased.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ هَمَّ قَوْمٌ أَن يَبْسُطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَكَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allāh upon you when a people determined to extend their hands [in aggression] against you, but He withheld their hands from you; and fear Allāh. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.