Simple Explanation of Three Short Surahs of Quran

Objectives

·       To memorize three important and frequently recited short chapters (surahs) of the Quran: Surah al-Ikhlaas, Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Naas.

·       To learn their translation and verse by verse explanation in simple language

·       To study the explanation of verses based on al-Tafseer al-Muyassar written by a group of Quran scholars.

Arabic Terms

·       Surah – chapter of the Quran.

·       Salah - the Arabic word to denote a direct connection between the believer and Allah.  More specifically, in Islam it refers to the formal five daily prayers and is the most important form of worship.

·       Jinn - A creation of Allah that was created before humankind from smokeless flame. They are referred to at times as spirit beings, banshees, poltergeists, phantoms and so forth. 

Surah Al-Ikhlaas

This short surah is equivalent in virtue to one-third of the Quran, and is ideal to memorize for reciting in the salah.  It is also recommended to say it after every prayer and before going to sleep at night.

Text, Transliteration, Translation, and Explanation

قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

1. Qul huwallahu ahad

Say, “He is Allah, (who is) One.

Say, O Prophet, He is Allah, the only Lord, the only one Who deserves worship, and the only One who possesses Names and Attributes of beauty and perfection.  No one shares with Him in these matters.

اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

2. Allahus samad

Allah, the Eternal Refuge.

Allah alone is sought in times of need.  Allah alone is the desire of the hearts.  On Him all creation depends.  This dependence is not reciprocal, however; He does not depend on His creatures.

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

3. Lam yalid walam yoolad

He neither begets nor is born,

He has no son or daughter, father or mother, or companion.

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

4. Walam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad

Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”

Nothing in creation resembles Allah in any of His names, attributes, or actions.

Surah Al-Falaq

Surah al-Falaq is the second last chapter of the Quran.  Both this surah and Surah an-Naas are man’s best protection against evil.  It is also good to frequently recite them in salah.  It is also recommended to say them after each obligatory prayer and before going to sleep at night.

Text, Transliteration, Translation, and Explanation

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ

1. Qul aaoothu bi rabbil falaq

Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak

Say – O Prophet – I take the protection of the Lord of dawn.

مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

2. Min sharri ma khalaq

From the evil of that which He created

From the evil of every created being and its harm.

وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ

3. Wa min sharri ghaasiqin itha waqab

And from the evil of darkness when it settles

And from the evil of deep darkness when it settles and the creatures of the night.

وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ

4. Wa min sharrin naffathati fil uqad

And from the evil of the blowers in knots

From the evil of sorceresses who blow on knots to cast spells.

وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ

5. Wa min sharri haasidin itha hasad

And from the evil of an envier when he envies.”

And from the evil of the envious when he envies people for Allah’s gifts, wishing they be taken away, and desiring to hurt people.

Surah Al-Naas

Read introduction to Surah al-Falaq.

Text, Transliteration, Translation, and Explanation

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ

1. Qul aaoothu birabbin naas

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

Say – O Prophet – I take the protection of the Lord of mankind from other people, who alone is capable of repelling their evil suggestions.

مَلِكِ النَّاسِ

2. Malikin naas

The Sovereign of mankind.

The King of mankind who is not in need of man, but man is in need of Him – He is in control of all human affairs.

إِلَهِ النَّاسِ

3. Ilaahin naas

The God of mankind,

The God of mankind, beside whom there is no deity, no god, and no object fit to be worshipped.

مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ

4. Min sharril waswasil khannas

From the evil of the retreating whisperer

From the evil of the sneaky devil who whispers temptation in moments of heedlessness and goes in hiding when Allah is remembered.

الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ

5. Allathee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin naas

Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind

Those who spread evil and sow doubts in the hearts of men.

مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَ النَّاسِ

6. Minal jinnati wan naas

From among the jinn and mankind.”

From the devils among humans and the evil spirits among jinn.