The chapter takes its name from the word "people" or "mankind" (al-nas), which recurs throughout the chapter. This and the preceding chapter, Al-Falaq ("Daybreak"), are known Al-Mu'awwidhatayn ("the Refuges"): dealing with roughly the same theme, they form a natural pair.
Regarding the timing and contextual background of the believed revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which indicates a revelation in Mecca rather than Medina. Early Muslims were persecuted in Mecca where Muhammed was not a leader, and not persecuted in Medina, where he was a protected leader.
There is a Sunnah tradition of reading this chapter for the sick or before sleeping.
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Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
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The Sovereign of mankind,
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The God of mankind,
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From the evil of the retreating whisperer –
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Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind –
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From among the jinn and mankind."
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Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind,
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The King (or Ruler) of Mankind,
3
The god (or judge) of Mankind,-
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From the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil), who withdraws (after his whisper),-
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(The same) who whispers into the hearts of Mankind,-
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Among Jinns and among men.
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Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
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The King of mankind,
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The god of mankind,
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From the evil of the sneaking whisperer,
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Who whispereth in the hearts of mankind,
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Of the jinn and of mankind.
According to 14th century exegesis of Ibn Kathir (tafsir), it has been reported from Abu Sa'id that: Prophet Muhammad used to seek protection from the evil eyes of the jinn and mankind. But when the Muawwidhatayn were revealed, he used them (for protection) and abandoned all else besides them. Al-Tirmidhi, An-Nisai and ibn Majah recorded this.
Relations to other chapters
Being the last chapter of the Quran, it is a kind of final response to the invocation that the reader of the Quran is implored to make to God in Quran 1 (Al-Fatihah). The response is that even though God has provided detailed guidance, the seeker of guidance must also pray to God that he remains free from the 'whisper' (waswāsa) of the Satan.
Relation to topics discussed in previous chapter
The root problem is mentioned in Quran 113 (al-falaq) but more specific information is mentioned in this chapter as to the problem of the shaytan himself who puts waswāsa (whisperings) into the hearts of the people.
In Quran 113 (Q:113), God protects from the outward harms of evils, whereas in Quran 114 (Q:114) God protects from evils which affect inside; i.e. whisperings which can weaken belief, introduce doubts, or entice mankind towards evil.
In Q:113, there were evils which are harmful to mankind, but outside of people's control. The one committing those evils (i.e. magic, envy etc.) would be sinful.
In Q:114, there are evils which are whispered to people. If people act upon these whisperings, which call towards evil actions, people will be the ones who are sinful. Therefore, this is more of a desperate situation for people's beliefs, thus this is the greater danger for mankind.
Q:114 has more emphasis on seeking protection with God, in comparison to the previous chapter which had more emphasis on seeking protection against evil, so there is a reciprocity between these two chapters; al-Falaq mentions Lord once, and many evils, whereas al-Nas mentions one Evil (waswāsa/whisperings from shaytan), and mentions God many times.
Hadith
Hadith mentioning the benefits of the Surah
Quran 113 & Quran 114 are together called Al-Mu'awwidhatayn.
Authentic or "Sahi" means the information is very reliable.
Argumentative means there is a difference of opinion about these Hadith. Some believe they are correct. Others believe they are from weak sources.
Unauthentic or weak or fabricated means the Hadith are not from trustworthy sources (but there can still be similar stories from a trustworthy source).
Uncategorized is the Hadith which the editors have not yet decided are authentic or weak.
The benefits, virtues, merits and Fazilats of Sura Quran 113 and Sura al-Nas
Imam Ahmad recorded from Uqbah bin `Amir that he said, "While I was leading Muhammad along one of these paths he said, O `Uqbah! Will you not ride,
I was afraid that this might be considered an act of disobedience. So Muhammad got down and I rode for a while. Then he rode.
Then he said, O Uqbah! Should I not teach you two Surahs that are of the best two Surahs that the people recite?
I said, `Of course, Muhammad.'
So he taught me to recite
Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Al-Falaq."
and
Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind." (Surat an-Nas)
Then the call was given to begin the prayer and Muhammad went forward (to lead the people), and he recited them in the prayer. Afterwards, he passed by me and said,
What do you think, O `Uqayb!
"Recite these two Surahs whenever you go to sleep and whenever you get up." [An-Nasa'i and Abu Dawud both recorded this Hadith.][2]
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Recite whenever we sleep
See "Two of the best chapters"
Uncategorized.
Reciting the Al-Mu'awwidhatayn before sleeping is a means of safety and if recited on any part of the body that is hurting, the pain will be relieved[3][4]
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Recite after every prayer
Authentic.
Narrated Uqbah ibn Amir: Muhammad commanded me to recite Mu’awwidhatayn (the last two Suras of the Qur'an) after every prayer. (Sunan Abu Dawud Bk.8 No.1518) Tafsir al-Mu’awwidhatayn (Qur'anic Exegesis of Surah al-Falaq & Surah an-Nas) " The Yearning for Islam Project. Attaining Peace by Total Submission to Allah (SWT)[5]
Similar story in [Silsilah ahadeeth Saheeha:645][6]
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Among the best ways to take refuge
Authentic.
Muhammad said: "Should I inform you of the best refuge which the person who seeks refuge takes?"
He [the companion] said: ‘Of course O Muhammad.’
He said: "Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of Daybreak,’ (Surat al-Falaq) and ‘Say: I seek refuge
with the Lord of mankind.’ (Surat an-Nas. These two surahs."
[Silsilah ahadeeth Saheeha:1104]
[7]
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2 Suras 3 times in morning and evening suffices from everything
Authentic.
‘Recite Surat al-Iḫlās and al-Maw’idhatayn (Surat al-Falaq and Surat an-Nas) three times in the morning and the evening; they will suffice you from everything.’ Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi. And Imam Al-Albani authenticated it: 2829[6]
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Recite at night
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Uncategorized.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq has said that whoever recites this chapter in his house every night, will be kept safe from Jinnaat and the evil designs of Shaitan.[3][4]
Narrated ‘Aisha: "Whenever Muhammad became sick, he would recite Mu’awwidhatayn (Surat al-Falaq and Surat an-Nas) and then blow his breath over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite (these two Suras) and rub his hands over his body hoping for its blessings. (Sahih al-Bukhari Vol.6 Bk.6 No.535)
Narrated ‘Aisha: "Whenever Muhammad went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over it after reciting Surat al-Ikhlas, Surat al-Falaq, and Surat an-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face, and front of his body. He used to do that three times. (Sahih al-Bukhari Vol.6 Bk.6 No.536)
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In Popular Culture
In Videogames
A 2021 psychological horror game called "iBLiS" (developed by FND Games) has included the last verse of the chapter being recited at the end of the game's intro.
The intro begins with an introduction to a real life Turkish urban legend about a late bride from Yakapinar Village in Ankara, who apparently had died in a car accident, causing her spirit to later haunt at the player along the gameplay. The intro ends with the final verse of the chapter being recited, foreshadowing the bride's possible connection with a jinn at some point before her death.
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