A Simple Guide to ISLAM
The Qur’an
~ 82 ~
This chapter was revealed at Makkah and contains six verses. Its
title is derived from verse no. 1, which counsels the believers to
‘seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.’ This chapter of the Qur’an
is a prayer to the Almighty to grant refuge from the mischief of
evil-doers, both human and occult. In this case, protection is
sought especially from the evil in man’s own heart and in the hearts
of other men.
This and the previous chapter are prayers for protection. The two
chapters are known as
al-Muawwadhatayn,
two entreaties for
refuge and protection. The previous chapter pointed to the
necessity of seeking God’s protection against such external factors
as might affect an individual. Here the need of protection from
internal factors, that is, the evil inclinations within man’s own self is
pointed out. So long as we put ourselves in God’s protection, and
trust in Him, evil cannot touch us in our inner life.
