Protection
Surah al-Falaq (refuge in the Lord of daybreak)
Surah al-Falaq is a short chapter of the Qur'an and one of the two "chapters of refuge" (al-Mu'awwidhatayn) alongside surah an-Nas. In it you seek refuge in Allah, Lord of the daybreak, from every created evil: the dark of night, sorcery (blowing on knots) and the envier's evil eye. The Prophet ﷺ recited it morning and evening and before sleep for protection.
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ﴿١﴾ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ﴿٢﴾ وَمِنْ شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ﴿٣﴾ وَمِنْ شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ ﴿٤﴾ وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ﴿٥﴾
Qul a'udhu bi-Rabbi-l-falaq. Min sharri ma khalaq. Wa min sharri ghasiqin idha waqab. Wa min sharri-n-naffathati fi-l-'uqad. Wa min sharri hasidin idha hasad.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak, from the evil of what He created, from the evil of darkness when it settles, from the evil of those who blow on knots, and from the evil of an envier when he envies.
Authenticity: Qur'an, surah al-Falaq (113:1-5). Its recitation for protection morning, evening and before sleep is Sahih (authentic), reported by Abu Dawud (5082) and at-Tirmidhi (3575) with the three quls, and by al-Bukhari (5017) for reciting the last two surahs before sleep.
Download image to shareWhen to say it
For protection against all forms of harm, sorcery and the evil eye. Recited morning and evening, before sleep, and after the obligatory prayers.
How often
Three times each in the morning and evening (with al-Ikhlas and an-Nas), once after each obligatory prayer, and before sleep.
Frequently asked
What does surah al-Falaq protect against?
It seeks Allah's refuge from the evil of everything He created, singling out three things: the darkness of night, sorcery (the "blowing on knots"), and the envy of an envier, which includes the evil eye. It is one of the strongest Qur'anic protections.
When should surah al-Falaq be recited?
The Prophet ﷺ recited it with al-Ikhlas and an-Nas three times each morning and evening, once after every obligatory prayer, and blew into his hands with all three before sleep, wiping over his body (al-Bukhari 5017).