Surah Al-Falaq 113:2
سُورَةُ الفَلَقِ · Meccan · Verse 2 of 5
مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
Translation
against the harm in what He has created,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
The refuge begins as wide as creation itself: 'from the evil of what He created.' al-Biqa'i observes that evil belongs only to the world of created things, never to Allah's own command and attributes, so we flee from what is made, to the One who made it. Ibn al-Qayyim (via Ma'arif al-Qur'an) adds that 'evil' here means both the harm that strikes us and the causes of harm, sin, heedlessness, everything that wounds. First the plea covers everything; only then will the Surah narrow to three hidden dangers. Ask yourself: instead of naming a hundred separate fears, can I hand the whole tangle of them at once to the One who created every last thing I'm afraid of, and holds it?
Grounded in classical tafsir: al-Biqa'i, Ma'arif al-Qur'an, al-Saadi.
Wording
This verse, "مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ" (min sharri ma khalaq), is a profound part of Surah Al-Falaq, a chapter revealed to teach us how to seek refuge in Allah. The specific choice of words here expands our understanding of divine protection.
The Universal Scope of Refuge
The phrase "مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ" translates to "from the evil of what He created." The most striking aspect of this wording is the little word "مَا" (ma), which means "what" or "whatever." This single word makes the scope of the protection we seek incredibly vast and all-encompassing.
Scholars like al-Jalalayn and al-Razi explain that "مَا خَلَقَ" includes every single thing Allah has brought into existence. This isn't limited to just conscious beings, but extends to non-conscious creatures and even inanimate objects. Imagine wild animals, insects, jinn, or even human beings who may cause harm. Beyond that, it covers things like the harms from fire, water, poisons, diseases, hunger, or any other calamity. Al-Razi notes that while "ma" often refers to non-rational things, its use here includes humans and jinn, because the primary emphasis is on the sheer breadth of potential harm originating from creation.
The Nature of "Evil" in Creation
A deeper reflection on "مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ" naturally leads to a profound question: Does Allah, the All-Good, create "evil"? The wording guides us to a crucial understanding. As al-Razi explains, when we call something "evil" (shar) in this context, it refers to the pain, affliction, or harm it causes us from our human perspective. Allah's actions are always rooted in wisdom and justice, even if their outcomes might be perceived as difficult or harmful to us.
This highlights a posture of humility and complete reliance on Allah. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, beautifully captured this sentiment in a supplication: "And I seek refuge in You from You." This means that even if a perceived "evil" originates from Allah's creation or decree, we turn back to Him for protection, acknowledging that ultimate power and shelter reside only with Him. The verse therefore teaches us to seek comprehensive protection from every kind of harm that can arise from the entirety of Allah's creation, while reaffirming His sovereignty and wisdom.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Falaq 113:2 is discussed in 2 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
- Seeking Refuge (Istiadhah) (key verse)
- Evil (Sharr)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Falaq 113:2 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.