The Three Quls (المعوذات)
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq & An-Nas — the three surahs the Prophet (ﷺ) recited every night before sleep. Together they form a complete shield against all evil.
Surah Al-Ikhlas (سورة الإخلاص)
Listen →The Sincerity · Surah 112 · 4 verses
Equal to one-third of the Quran in reward. Four verses that define pure monotheism (Tawhid).
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Qul huwal laahu ahad
Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One,
ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ
Allah hus-samad
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
He neither begets nor is born,
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ
Wa lam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad
Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
Surah Al-Falaq (سورة الفلق)
Listen →The Daybreak · Surah 113 · 5 verses
Seeking refuge in Allah from all external evil — darkness, envy, and black magic.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ
Qul a'uzoo bi rabbil-falaq
Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak
مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
Min sharri ma khalaq
From the evil of that which He created
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
Wa min sharri ghasiqin iza waqab
And from the evil of darkness when it settles
وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّٰثَٰتِ فِى ٱلْعُقَدِ
Wa min sharrin-naffaa-thaati fil 'uqad
And from the evil of the blowers in knots
وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
Wa min shar ri haasidin iza hasad
And from the evil of an envier when he envies."
Surah An-Nas (سورة الناس)
Listen →Mankind · Surah 114 · 6 verses
Seeking refuge in Allah from internal evil — the whispering of Shaytan in the hearts of people.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ
Qul a'uzu birabbin naas
Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ
Malikin naas
The Sovereign of mankind.
إِلَٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ
Ilaahin naas
The God of mankind,
مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ
Min sharril was waasil khannaas
From the evil of the retreating whisperer —
ٱلَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ
Al lazee yuwas wisu fee sudoorin naas
Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind —
مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ
Minal jinnati wan naas
From among the jinn and mankind."
How the Prophet (ﷺ) Used the Three Quls
Aisha (RA) narrated: "Every night when the Prophet (ﷺ) went to bed, he would cup his hands together, blow into them, and recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas. Then he would wipe his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to, starting with his head, face, and the front of his body. He would do this three times." (Sahih Al-Bukhari 5017)
The Prophet (ﷺ) also said: "Say: He is Allah, the One (Surah Al-Ikhlas) is equal to one-third of the Quran." (Sahih Al-Bukhari 5015)
He (ﷺ) would also recite these three surahs after every prayer and recommended them as part of the morning and evening adhkar for comprehensive spiritual protection.
Benefits of the Three Quls
Protection from Evil Eye
Al-Falaq and An-Nas together protect against hasad (envy) and the evil eye — two of the most common spiritual harms mentioned in hadith.
Shield Against Black Magic
Surah Al-Falaq specifically mentions "the blowers in knots" — a reference to sorcery. These verses are the primary Quranic defense against magic.
Defense Against Whispers
Surah An-Nas targets the "whisperer who retreats" (Shaytan), protecting the heart and mind from doubts and sinful suggestions.
One-Third of the Quran
Surah Al-Ikhlas carries the reward of reading one-third of the entire Quran. Reciting it three times equals the reward of completing the whole Quran.