Best Tafseer Surah Al-Naas – Maksud, Benefits, And Lessons Verse by Verse

This article discusses Surah Al-Naas from several aspects. It gives a brief introduction to the Surah, Makki or Madani, Asbab al-n-Nuzul, its translation, and transliteration in English. We will also discuss Surah Al-Naas tafseer and meaning, and finally, its benefits and lessons.

Introduction to Surah Al-Naas

Surah Al-Naas is the last Surah in the Quran. It is one of the two Surahs called ‘Al-Muawwidhatayn’, which means the two refuge,s as we previously mentioned in Tafseer of Surah Al-Falaq. 

The word ‘Al-Naas’ means the people. It was named Surah Al-Naas because Allah started the Surah by saying: ‘Say, O Muhammad: I seek refuge in Rabb Al-Naas’. Also, the word ‘Al-Naas’ was repeated in nearly every verse, around five times in this small Surah.

Surah Al-Naas is a Madani Surah that was revealed with or just after Surah Al-Falaq.

Why Was Surah Al-Naas Revealed (Asbab al-n-Nuzul)?

Asbab al-n-Nuzul of Surah Al-Naas is similar to Asbab al-n-Nuzul of Surah Al-Falaq. It was revealed as a ruqya from the magic performed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by a Jewish person. So, both Surahs ‘Al-Muawwidhatayn’ were revealed as a protection from evils. However, each is concerned with a different type of evil.

What is The Maksud of Surah Al-Naas?

The Maksud of Surah Al-Nass is ‘Isti’aza’, which means seeking refuge in Allah against Satan (The devil), either from the Jinn or from humans. 

The Surah teaches us how evil Satan is. He whispers to people, inviting them to evil as mentioned in Surah Al-Falaq. That’s why Surah Al-Naas is specifically concerned about Satan, as he is among the most dangerous drives to evil.

The Surah also mentions the great attributes of Allah as Rabb (The lord), ‘Malik’ (owner), ‘Ilah’ (The God who deserves worship). It assigns the word ‘Al-Naas’ (The people) to each of Allah’s attributes, referring to Allah as the lord, the owner, and the God of all people.

Surah Al-Naas Translation and Transliteration in English (Verse by Verse)

Surah Al-Naas is among the smallest surahs of the Best Quran Tafseer. It consists of only six verses, which are consistent with the meaning of ‘Isti’aza’.

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ

‘Qul a’oozu birabbin naas’
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,

مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ
‘Malikin naas’
The Sovereign of mankind.

إِلَـٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ
‘Ilaahin naas’
The God of mankind,

مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ
‘Min sharril waswaasil khannaas’
From the evil of the retreating whisperer –

ٱلَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ
‘Allazee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin naas’
Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind –

مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ
‘Minal jinnati wannaas’
From among the jinn and mankind.”

Tafseer of Surah Al-Naas Meaning in English (Verse by Verse)

The tafseer of Surah Al-Naas has great similarities with Surah Al-Falaq. However, there are some important differences we will discuss in the following paragraphs.

Tafseer Surah al-Naas Verse #1

‘Qul’ means say, O Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 

‘A’oozu’ means I seek refuge. 

‘Birabbin naas’ means in the ‘Rabb’, the lord, of people.

Although it is a speech to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it is also a teaching for every Muslim to do that. 

There are many Surah Al-Naas Benefits in the Quran that start with ‘Qul’, as we previously mentioned Tafseer Surah Al-Ikhlas.

Tafseer Surah al-Naas Verse #2

That is a completion of the previous verse, where Allah (SWT) clarifies his attributes and teaches us how to perform duaa. 

‘Malikin naas’ means the owner of people.

Tafseer Surah al-Naas Verse #3

‘Ilaahin naas’ means the true God and the only one who deserves worship.

Tafseer Surah al-Naas Verse #4

‘Min sharril waswaasil khannaas’, this verse clarifies the type of evil we seek refuge in Allah from, which is the devil (Satan). He pushes people to kufr (disbelief in Allah), evil deeds, and Hellfire, and takes them away from Iman (Belief in Allah), righteous deeds, and Jannah.

‘Waswas Khannas’ are two attributes of Satan. ‘Waswas’ means the one who whispers to others in a low voice. ‘Khannaas’ means the one who goes away, or goes back. These two words perfectly describe Satan as he whispers to people. However, he goes away when you mention Allah (in Azkar and Most Reliable Tafseer Of Quran) or supplicates to Him.

Tafseer Surah al-Naas Verse #5

‘Allazee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin naas’ means ‘the one who whispers in the chests of people’. This verse describes what Satan is busy doing and further clarifies the previous one.

This description is magnificent, as Allah, who is the Rabb, Malik, Ilah of people, is the only one capable of protecting them against their most dangerous enemy.

Allah says: “Surely Satan is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy. He only invites his followers to become inmates of the Blaze.” (Quran 35:6)

Tafseer Surah al-Naas Verse #6

‘Minal jinnati wannaas’ is a clarification of who exactly is considered a Satan. Many people think Satan is only a Jinn. However, Satan could be Jinn or humans as well. 

A Satan is the one who has the qualities of a Satan and shares his attributes; it is not restricted to either type.

Allah says in the Quran about Iblis (The father of Satan): “…was one of the jinn, but he rebelled against the command of his Lord.” (Quran 18:50)

Allah also says that there are Human Satans, as in Surah Al-Naas and in several other verses: “And so We have made for every prophet enemies—devilish humans and jinn—whispering to one another with elegant words of deception” (Quran 6:112)

What are the Lessons of Surah Al-Naas and Life Applications?

The lessons of Surah Al-Naas are many. It teaches us how to seek refuge in Allah and how to make duaa. It also warns us against Satan and gives a clear description of what Satan is like, so that we take care.

1. Surah Al-Naas teaches us to Only Seek Refuge in Allah

Surah Al-Naas Benefits is one of the two refuges in the Quran, as we previously mentioned. It starts by seeking refuge in Allah, who is the Rabb, the owner, and the true God. This teaches Muslims that seeking refuge in anything other than Allah is useless, as he is not, by any means, equivalent to Allah.

2. Supplicate to Allah by his names

Surah Al-Naas started with Allah’s names before mentioning what we should seek refuge from. That was repeated in several Surahs, as we previously mentioned in the Tafseer of Surah Al-Fatiha. Supplicating to Allah by his names is mentioned in the Quran, and is a means of accepting prayers.

Allah says in the Quran: “Allah has the Most Beautiful Names. So call upon Him by them” (Quran 7:180)

3. Satan is a source of evil

No doubt, Satan is a source of evil. It is ‘Waswas’ and ‘Khannas’ as we previously clarified.

Allah says in the Quran that Satan pushes people to evil step by step in an intelligent strategy (Quran 24:21).

He (SWT) also says that Satan spreads hatred and malevolence among people (Quran 5:91). Satan spreads fear among his followers (Quran 3:175). Satan promises poverty and invites to obscenity  (Quran 2:268). Satan separates brothers (Quran 12:100). Satan falsely promises his followers and soon breaks his promise (Quran 8:48)

And many others that were mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah.

4. Satan is very weak

Although Satan has intelligent ways of inviting people to evil, he is very weak in front of believers who seek refuge in Allah and always return to him in repentance.

Allah says in the Quran: “So fight against Satan’s ˹evil˺ forces. Indeed, Satan’s schemes are ever weak.” (Quran 4:76)

“He (Satan) certainly has no authority over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.” (Quran 16:99)

Allah says that believers soon discover Satan’s whispers and repent: “Indeed, when Satan whispers to those mindful ˹of Allah˺, they remember ˹their Lord˺, then they start to see ˹things˺ clearly.” (Quran 7:201)

5. Refrain From Both Jinn and Human Satans

Many people seek refuge in the jinn and Satan only. However, one should refrain from having evil friends and listening to anyone who does the deeds of satan, which are described in Surah Al-Naas and other Surahs.

What are The Benefits of Surah Al-Naas?

The benefits of Surah Al-Naas are similar to Surah Al-Falaq, as we previously mentioned in Surah Al-Falaq in detail. It is unique, it is a ruqya in severe illness, wind and darkness, and in case of black magic. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that you will not recite anything greater before Allah than Al-Muawidhatayn. He (PBUH) used to recite them in the Witr prayer at night.

Tafseer Surah Al-Kawthar, Asbab Al-Nuzul, Maksud, Lessons, and Benefits

Key Benefits of Reciting Surah Al-Naas

1. Protection from Evil Whisperings
   Surah Al-Naas helps protect your heart and mind from the evil whisperings of Shaytaan (Satan) and jinn. It shields your thoughts from harmful suggestions.
2. Spiritual & Mental Peace
   Regular recitation of this Surah brings calmness to the heart, especially during times of anxiety, fear, or confusion.
3. Strengthens Your Connection with Allah
   This Surah reminds you to turn to Allah for help and seek His refuge from all hidden dangers, making your bond with Him stronger.
4. Daily Protection
   It is a powerful daily shield, especially when recited in the morning, evening, and before sleep to guard against unseen harms.
5. Cleanses the Heart
   Surah Al-Naas purifies the soul from internal spiritual attacks, such as jealousy, pride, and doubts that can harm faith.
6. Used in Ruqyah (Spiritual Healing)
   Often recited in ruqyah (Islamic spiritual healing) to protect against black magic, jinn possession, and the evil eye.
7. Promotes Tawheed (Oneness of Allah)
   It teaches full reliance on Allah alone, who is the Lord and Master of mankind.
8. Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
   Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would recite Surah Al-Falaq and Al-Naas every night before sleeping, making it a Sunnah for us to follow.

Surah Al-Naas in the Life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Surah Al-Naas had a special place in the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It was not just a chapter; he recited it as part of his daily spiritual protection and routine.

1. Part of His Nightly Sunnah Routine

The Prophet ﷺ used to recite Surah Al-Naas, along with Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Ikhlas, every night before sleeping. He would blow over his hands and wipe them over his body. This was his way of seeking Allah’s protection from all harm, both seen and unseen.

Narration: Aisha (RA) said: “Whenever the Prophet ﷺ went to bed, he would blow into his hands, recite Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and Al-Naas, and wipe his hands over his body.”
— (Bukhari, Muslim)

2. Used in Ruqyah (Spiritual Healing)

Surah Al-Naas was also recited by the Prophet ﷺ for spiritual healing. When someone was sick, he would recite these Surahs and blow upon them. Towards the end of his life, when he was very ill, Aisha (RA) would recite these Surahs and blow over him, just as he used to do for others.

3. Teaching Tawheed and Seeking Allah’s Help

This Surah teaches us to seek refuge in Allah alone, the Lord, King, and God of mankind. The Prophet ﷺ lived by this message, constantly reminding his Ummah to rely solely on Allah for protection from the whisperings of Shaytaan and hidden harms.

4. A Powerful Weapon Against Shaytaan

The Prophet ﷺ emphasized that Surah Al-Naas (and Al-Falaq) are among the best ways to guard oneself against evil, magic, jinn, and jealousy. He encouraged every Muslim to recite them daily, making them a shield of protection.

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You can also find the tafseer of the following surahs helpful:

• Best Tafseer Surah Al-Falaq – Lessons, Benefits, and Maqsud
• Maksud And Tafseer of Surah Al-Fatiha With Transliteration
• Top 10 Practical Lessons And Benefits of Surah Al-Fatiha
• Learn All You Need to Know About Tafseer Surah Al-Ikhlas
• The Benefits and Virtues of Surah Al-Masad – Comprehensive Tafseer

Conclusion – What is the general meaning of Surah al-Naas?

Surah Al-Naas is one of the smallest and greatest Surahs of the Quran. It is considered one of the two refuges (Muawwidhatayn). 

Surah Al-Naas talks about seeking refuge in Allah against one of the most dangerous evils, which is Satan. That’s why Surah Al-Naas and Surah Al-Falaq are interrelated, where each of them is specified to a type of evil.

Reciting Surah Al-Naas and reflecting upon its meaning is essential for every muslim every day and night, as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us.

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