Islam

Surah An-Naas (114)Seeking Refuge From the Whisperer

Summary

An-Nas, the final surah of the Quran, is a six-verse prayer for protection that asks refuge in God as Lord, King and God of mankind from the sneaking whisperer who plants evil suggestions in human hearts. With Al-Falaq (113), it forms the Mu'awwidhatayn, the two surahs of seeking refuge. Muslims recite both in daily remembrance, before sleep, and for protection, and scholars differ on whether An-Nas is Meccan or Medinan.

Key verse

“Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,”

Quran 114:1

Themes

Seeking refuge in God
God as Lord, King and God of people
Inner temptation and whispering
Protection from jinn and human evil

Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,

The King of mankind,

The god of mankind,

From the evil of the sneaking whisperer,

Who whispereth in the hearts of mankind,

Of the jinn and of mankind.

English: Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain, via alquran.cloud.

Across traditions

Judaism
Psalms 91: Shelter of the Most High
Psalm 91 describes the one who dwells in the shelter of the Most High as protected from snares, terrors and plague, and Jewish tradition has long used it as a psalm of protection. An-Nas also seeks God's protection, but focuses on an inward danger: whispering that corrupts the heart.
Christianity
Ephesians 6: The Armor of God
Ephesians 6 urges believers to stand against the wiles of the devil, a struggle against unseen powers rather than flesh and blood. An-Nas likewise names an unseen tempter, while also acknowledging that the whisperer may be human as well as jinn (114:6).

Questions about Surah An-Naas (114)

Who is the whisperer in Surah An-Nas?

The surah refers to al-waswas al-khannas, 'the sneaking whisperer', who whispers in human hearts and then withdraws. Classical commentators most often identify it with Satan, who retreats when God is remembered, and the final verse indicates that such whisperers can be jinn or human.

When do Muslims recite Surah An-Nas?

Sahih al-Bukhari reports from Aisha that each night before sleeping the Prophet would recite Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas into his cupped hands and then wipe over his body. Many Muslims follow this practice, and they also recite the two surahs of refuge after prayers, in morning and evening remembrance, and when seeking protection or healing.