The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
أُنْزِلَ، أَوْ أُنْزِلَتْ عَلَيَّ آيَاتٌ لَمْ يُرَ مِثْلُهُنَّ قَطُّ، المُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ
“I have been sent down verses the like of which have never been seen before, namely Al-Mu’awwizatain (Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Naas).”
Sahih Muslim (814)
- Al-Mu’awwizatain refers to two Madaniyah surahs, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Naas, which together consist of eleven verses: five in Surah Al-Falaq and six in Surah Al-Naas. These two surahs, meaning ‘all creation’ and ‘humankind,’ are also called “Mu’awwizatain” or “Ta’awuz” because they contain supplications for protection.
- These surahs were revealed when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ often prayed to Allah SWT for protection from the evil of humans, devils, and jinn after being bewitched by a Jewish person.
- Surah Al-Falaq teaches us to seek protection from all forms of evil, including the harm caused by witchcraft, treachery, envy, and so on.
- Surah An-Naas teaches us to seek protection from internal dangers, such as the threats posed by devils or jinn, as well as deceitful thoughts or bad memories that can corrupt our faith and worship.