Surah An-Nas 114:3
سُورَةُ النَّاسِ · Meccan · Verse 3 of 6
إِلَٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ
Translation
the God of people,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
The third name is the summit: Ilah an-Nas, 'God of mankind'. al-Biqa'i notes that a king need not be one's God, but ilah, the One truly worshipped and loved, admits no partner at all, so the sequence climbs to its peak here. Ma'arif adds the wisdom of all three together: not every lord is a king, and not every king is worthy of worship, so we invoke the One who is all three at once, Nurturer, Sovereign, and God. Against the whisper, that is the complete refuge. Ask yourself: the whisperer's oldest trick is to make some created thing my real 'god', my fear, my craving, my image. Which of these has quietly climbed onto the throne that belongs to Ilah an-Nas alone?
Grounded in classical tafsir: al-Biqa'i, Ma'arif al-Qur'an.
Wording
The verse "إِلَٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ" (Ilah an-Naas) translates to "God of mankind," and it is the third attribute by which we are taught to seek refuge in Allah in Surah An-Naas. This is not just a repetition of titles but a profound journey into understanding Allah's unique and absolute relationship with humanity.
The Ultimate Attribute
This phrase is a clarifying description, or *'atf bayan*, of the preceding attributes, "Lord of mankind" and "King of mankind." As scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi explain, the progression from *Rabb* (Lord, Sustainer) to *Malik* (King, Sovereign) culminates in *Ilah* (God, Deity). While a human might be called a "lord" of a house or a "king" of a country in a limited sense, the term *Ilah* (God, worthy of worship) is exclusively for Allah. This word choice signifies the highest level of devotion and submission, making it the ultimate point of clarification regarding Allah's unique relationship with humanity. It underscores that Allah alone is the true object of worship.
Why "Mankind" is Emphasized
The repetition of "الناس" (an-Naas), meaning "mankind," after each attribute, Lord of mankind, King of mankind, God of mankind, is a deliberate linguistic choice for emphasis and clarity, as noted by al-Jalalayn and Ibn Ashur. This repetition serves to underscore that Allah's Lordship, Sovereignty, and Divinity are all directed towards and encompassing *all* of humanity. It highlights the direct and intimate connection between the Divine Protector and the very beings who are the target of the evil whispers from which refuge is sought. Al-Razi also suggests this repetition elevates the status of humanity, as Allah chooses to define Himself by these paramount relationships with them. This intricate wording invites us to recognize Allah as our exclusive God, deserving of all worship and the ultimate refuge for every single human being.
Sources: al-Jalalayn, al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Nas 114:3 is discussed in 4 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
- Seeking Refuge (Istiadhah) (key verse)
- Mankind (Nas) (key verse)
- Man (Insan)
- Resolve (Azm)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah An-Nas 114:3 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.