Surah An-Nas — سُورَةُ النَّاس — is the 114th and final surah of the Quran, comprising six verses. It is the second of the Muawwidhatain — the two surahs of seeking refuge. Where Surah Al-Falaq seeks protection from external harms (darkness, envy, magic), Surah An-Nas seeks protection from the internal harm of the whisperer — the one who plants suggestions of sin and doubt into the human heart from within.
The text and meaning
Qul a’udhu bi rabbin nas — Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind. Malikin nas — The King of mankind. Ilahin nas — The God of mankind. Three attributes of Allah ﷻ — Lord, King, God — are invoked before the request, establishing the complete authority of the One being sought. Min sharril waswasil khannas — From the evil of the retreating whisperer. Al-Waswas means the whisper; Al-Khannas means the one who retreats — specifically, the shaytan retreats when Allah ﷻ is remembered and returns when remembrance stops. Alladhi yuwaswisu fi sudoorin nas — Who whispers in the chests of mankind. Minal jinnati wan nas — From among jinn and mankind. The whisper comes from both — shaytan from the jinn and human tempters who suggest sin and doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Surah An-Nas protect from?
The whisperer — both from jinn (shaytan) and from human tempters — who whispers sin and doubt into the human heart. Al-Khannas (the retreating one) retreats when Allah ﷻ is remembered and returns when remembrance stops. Surah An-Nas is the protection against this internal attack — seeking refuge in Allah ﷻ as Lord, King, and God of mankind against the most intimate and persistent form of temptation. Combined with Al-Falaq it addresses both external and internal harm.
Why is An-Nas the last surah of the Quran?
Scholars note that the Quran ends with these two surahs of seeking refuge — placing protection as the final word of the complete revelation. After all the knowledge, law, stories, and guidance, the Quran closes with: seek refuge in Allah ﷻ from all harm. This placement is understood as a comprehensive instruction — all that came before requires this protection to be maintained and preserved.
Al-Khannas retreats when Allah ﷻ is remembered. The whisper stops when you say the surah. The moment you stop — it returns. Morning. Evening. Sleep. Keep saying it.