Surah Al-Falaq (The Daybreak)

Al-Falaq means "The Daybreak" (also rendered "The Dawn" or "The Cleaving"), evoking the breaking of light through darkness and, by extension, God as the One who splits open the dawn.

Surah Al-Falaq is the 113th and second-to-last chapter of the Quran, a short surah of five ayahs traditionally classified as Meccan (some scholars hold it to be Medinan). Its name, "The Daybreak," is drawn from its opening, in which the reader seeks refuge with the Lord of the daybreak. The surah is a concise prayer of protection: it names God as the ultimate refuge and then enumerates several sources of harm from which one seeks shelter. Together with the following surah, An-Nas, it forms a pair known as the Mu'awwidhatayn ("the two surahs of refuge"), both opening with the same plea for God's protection. Where An-Nas concerns inward, whispered evil, Al-Falaq is generally understood to address outward evils in creation. Brief and rhythmic, it is among the most widely memorized and recited passages of the Quran, valued for its clarity and its focus on trusting God alone as the guardian against all forms of harm.

Surah number: 113
Revelation: Meccan
Ayahs: 5
Arabic: الفلق

Read Surah Al-Falaq online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

Seeking refuge with God as the sole and ultimate protector
God described as Lord of the daybreak, who splits darkness with light
Protection from the evil found within created things
Protection from the evil of darkness as night gathers in
Protection from harmful, occult practices (traditionally understood as sorcery)
Protection from the harm of the envier when he envies

Why this surah matters

Al-Falaq holds a prominent place as one of the two Mu'awwidhatayn, the "surahs of refuge," recited alongside An-Nas. Because both are short, memorable, and centered on divine protection, they are among the first passages many Muslims learn. Traditionally, many Muslims recite Al-Falaq and An-Nas (often with Al-Ikhlas) in the morning and evening, before sleep, and after the prescribed prayers as a means of seeking God's protection. These are long-standing devotional customs rather than obligations. The surah's enduring significance lies in its concise expression of tawhid-centered trust: turning to God alone for shelter from every kind of harm, whether hidden or manifest.

Frequently asked questions

Is Surah Al-Falaq Meccan or Medinan?

It is most commonly classified as Meccan, revealed during the Meccan period, though some scholars have held it to be Medinan. The Meccan view is the more widely cited.

What are the Mu'awwidhatayn?

The Mu'awwidhatayn are the final two surahs of the Quran, Al-Falaq (113) and An-Nas (114). Both begin with a plea to seek refuge with God, which is why they are paired under this name and frequently recited together.

Why is it called Al-Falaq?

The name comes from the surah's opening, which refers to God as the Lord of the daybreak. 'Al-Falaq' denotes the dawn or the splitting open of light through darkness.

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