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Chapter 114/ Al-Nas

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Here is a summary of Surah An-Nas (Chapter 114) based exclusively on the exegesis (tafseer) provided in Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abu-al-A’la Maududi:

1. Divine Attributes for Seeking Refuge

The Surah emphasizes seeking refuge with Allah through three of His supreme attributes:

  • Rabb-in-Naas (Lord of Mankind): The Sustainer who nurtures and provides for all humanity .
  • Malik-in-Naas (King of Mankind): The absolute Sovereign with complete authority over creation .
  • Ilah-in-Naas (God of Mankind): The only deity worthy of worship, possessing ultimate power to grant protection .
    These attributes collectively affirm Allah’s uniqueness as the sole source of refuge .

2. The Adversary: The Whisperer (Al-Waswas Al-Khannas)

  • Nature of Evil Whispering: The “whisperer” refers to Satan (Shaitan), who insidiously plants doubts and temptations into human hearts, often without audible sound .
  • Tactics: He withdraws (khannas) when Allah is remembered but persistently returns during moments of heedlessness to corrupt intentions and deeds .
  • Sources: Whisperers include both jinn (invisible beings) and mankind (human devils who sow discord or misguide others) .

3. Historical Context of Revelation

  • Revealed in Mecca during intense persecution of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), when Quraysh leaders orchestrated secret plots, magical attacks, slander, and assassination attempts to undermine Islam .
  • The Surah fortified believers against these threats by directing them to seek Allah’s protection rather than engage in direct confrontation with enemies .

4. Theological Significance

  • Rejection of Compromise: By seeking refuge only with Allah, the Surah rejects dependence on idols, allies, or material power, affirming Tawheed (monotheism) in practical devotion .
  • Universal Application: While revealed amid persecution, its message extends to all eras, urging believers to seek Allah’s aid against both visible (human) and invisible (jinn) evils .

5. Practical Application in Faith

  • Spiritual Defense: Reciting this Surah is a means to “nip evil in the bud” by neutralizing Satan’s whispers before they manifest as sinful actions .
  • Companion to Surah Al-Falaq: Together, these two Surahs (Mu’awwidhatayn) form a comprehensive plea for protection—Surah Al-Falaq against external harms, and Surah An-Nas against internal corruption of the heart .

Key Insight from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

This Surah epitomizes unwavering trust in Allah amid adversity. Just as Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) sought refuge from Pharaoh’s tyranny, believers are instructed to rely solely on Allah’s attributes of Lordship, Kingship, and Divinity to overcome all forms of evil—whether manifest or hidden .

Key Points

  • Research suggests Surah An-Nas (Chapter 114) emphasizes seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of Satan’s whispers, highlighting His role as the Lord, King, and God of mankind.
  • It seems likely that the chapter addresses protection from both jinn and human influences, with a focus on Satan’s subtle temptations.
  • The evidence leans toward the surah being revealed in Makkah, reinforcing reliance on Allah during times of opposition.

Overview

Surah An-Nas, the 114th chapter of the Quran, is a concise yet profound text that teaches Muslims to seek refuge in Allah from the evil of Satan’s whispers. It underscores Allah’s sovereignty as the Lord, King, and True God of mankind, emphasizing the concept of Tawheed (oneness of God). This chapter is closely related to Surah Al-Falaq (Chapter 113), forming part of the “Mu’awwidhatayn” (the two surahs of refuge), and is often recited for spiritual protection.

Verse-by-Verse Explanation

  • Verse 1: “Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.”
    This verse commands believers to seek refuge in Allah, who is the Lord of all humanity, emphasizing His role as the Creator, Sustainer, and Protector.
  • Verse 2: “The King of mankind.”
    Allah is described as the King, signifying His supreme sovereignty and dominion, rejecting any other being as worthy of worship or refuge.
  • Verse 3: “The God of mankind.”
    This affirms Allah as the True God, negating all other objects of worship and reinforcing Tawheed.
  • Verse 4: “From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws.”
    This seeks refuge from Satan, referred to as the “whisperer who withdraws” (waswas al-khannas), who incites evil but retreats when Allah’s name is invoked.
  • Verse 5: “Who whispers in the hearts of mankind.”
    Satan’s method is explained as whispering evil thoughts into human hearts, highlighting his subtle and persistent temptations.
  • Verse 6: “From among the jinn and mankind.”
    The evil influences come from both jinn (supernatural beings) and humans, including external temptations and internal desires, necessitating constant reliance on Allah.

Context and Significance

Research suggests the surah was revealed in Makkah during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad, serving as a reminder to seek Allah’s protection from spiritual dangers. It is often recited for protection during distress or temptation, emphasizing vigilance and faith.

Detailed Analysis of Surah An-Nas from Tafheemul Quran

Surah An-Nas, the 114th chapter of the Quran, is a Makkan revelation comprising six verses, and its tafsir from Tafheemul Quran by Abul Ala Maududi provides a detailed scholarly interpretation. This note aims to explore the chapter’s content, context, and significance, drawing from the English render by Zafar Ishaq Ansari and other sources, ensuring a comprehensive understanding for readers interested in Islamic studies.

Background and Revelation

Surah An-Nas is one of the two “Mu’awwidhatayn” (the two surahs of refuge), along with Surah Al-Falaq (Chapter 113), and is deeply related to seeking protection with Allah. It is generally considered a Makki surah, revealed before the migration to Madinah, based on opinions from early scholars like Ibn ‘Abbas and Qatadah, reflecting the intense opposition from the Quraish during that period. The tafsir suggests it was revealed to address the spiritual dangers faced by believers, particularly Satan’s whisperings, during times of adversity.

Detailed Tafsir of Each Verse

The tafsir breaks down each verse, providing linguistic, theological, and contextual insights:

  • Verse 1: “Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.”
  • The imperative “Say” is directed at the Prophet, and through him to all believers, instructing them to seek refuge from fear and spiritual dangers. “Lord of mankind” emphasizes Allah’s role as the Creator, Sustainer, and Protector, highlighting His absolute authority over human affairs. It contrasts with polytheists seeking refuge from jinn or materialists relying on material means, reinforcing tawheed.
  • Verse 2: “The King of mankind.”
  • This describes Allah as the King, signifying His supreme sovereignty and dominion over all creation. It negates any other being as worthy of worship or refuge, emphasizing that only Allah wields total power to protect His servants. This attribute aligns with the Quranic theme of Allah’s kingship, as seen in verses like 20:114 and 59:23.
  • Verse 3: “The God of mankind.”
  • Allah is affirmed as the True God, negating all other objects of worship. The term “Ilah” here means the Being Who deserves worship, reinforcing Tawheed and rejecting polytheism. It complements the previous attributes, emphasizing that Allah alone is the deity worthy of devotion and protection.
  • Verse 4: “From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws.”
  • This seeks refuge from Satan, referred to as “waswas al-khannas,” meaning the whisperer who repeatedly incites evil but withdraws when Allah’s name is mentioned or when one turns to Allah. Tafheemul Quran explains this as Satan’s subtle and persistent method, highlighting the need for constant vigilance and reliance on divine protection.
  • Verse 5: “Who whispers in the hearts of mankind.”
  • Satan’s method is detailed as whispering evil thoughts into human hearts, affecting their moral and spiritual state. This verse underscores the internal battle against temptation, with Tafheemul Quran noting that Satan’s influence can lead to disbelief or moral decline, necessitating refuge in Allah.
  • Verse 6: “From among the jinn and mankind.”
  • This specifies that the evil whispers come from both jinn (supernatural beings) and humans, including external influences (e.g., from devils or envious people) and internal temptations (e.g., one’s own base desires). It aligns with Quranic references like 6:112, which mentions devils from jinn and humans, and 50:16, which notes Allah’s closeness to human thoughts.

Thematic Analysis and Significance

The surah is often recited for ruqya (protection) and azkar (supplications), as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), due to its focus on seeking refuge from Satan’s whisperings. It reinforces the Quranic guidance against misguidance, with Tafheemul Quran emphasizing the need for constant reliance on Allah, especially during times of adversity. The surah’s placement at the end of the Quran, alongside Surah Al-Falaq, stresses vigilance against spiritual evils that could derail faith.

Supporting Evidence and Scholarly Interpretations

The tafsir draws on various scholarly opinions, such as Ibn ‘Abbas and Qatadah, and aligns with hadith narrations like those from Abu Dharr, where the Prophet advised seeking protection against devils from jinn and humans (Ahmad, Nasa’i, Ibn Hibban). These interpretations align with Tafheemul Quran’s approach, which aims to provide a detailed, contextual understanding, making it accessible for both scholars and lay readers.

Comparative Context

Compared to other tafsirs, Tafheemul Quran’s approach is notable for its emphasis on historical context and theological implications, ensuring the reader understands the socio-religious environment. For instance, the refutation of seeking refuge from created beings directly addresses Makkan polytheistic practices, providing a contrast to later Medinan revelations dealing with legal and communal issues.

Tables for Clarity

Below is a table summarizing the key aspects of Surah An-Nas based on the tafsir:VerseTranslationKey Interpretation 1 “Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.” Seek refuge from fear, Allah as Creator, Sustainer, Protector. 2 “The King of mankind.” Allah’s supreme sovereignty, negates other objects of worship. 3 “The God of mankind.” Affirms Allah as True God, reinforces Tawheed. 4 “From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws.” Refuge from Satan’s recurrent evil promptings, retreats when Allah’s name is invoked. 5 “Who whispers in the hearts of mankind.” Satan’s method: whispering evil thoughts, affecting human hearts. 6 “From among the jinn and mankind.” Evil influences from jinn and humans, including internal desires.

Another table outlines the scholarly interpretations of revelation timing:Scholar/TraditionView on Revelation Timing Ibn ‘Abbas, Qatadah Makki (revealed in Makkah)

Conclusion

Surah An-Nas, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran, is a foundational text for seeking Allah’s refuge from Satan’s whisperings, addressing theological and spiritual needs. It reinforces Tawheed, highlights human vulnerability to temptation, and provides a comprehensive framework for spiritual protection. This detailed tafsir, supported by scholarly interpretations and historical context, offers robust insights for both academic study and spiritual reflection.

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