Surah An-Nas
الناس
Surah An-Nas is the final surah of the Quran, six verses teaching the believer to seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind and the One worshipped by mankind, from the whisperer who withdraws.
- Meaning
- Mankind
- Surah
- 114 of 114
- Verses
- 6
- Revealed in
- Mecca
- Found in
- Juz 30
What Surah An-Nas is about
Surah An-Nas, "Mankind", is the 114th and last surah of the Quran and the second of the two refuge surahs (al-Mu'awwidhatayn) after Al-Falaq. The Quran opens with Al-Fatihah, a prayer for guidance, and closes with this prayer for protection.
Verses 1 to 3 build a three-part address. The believer seeks refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind and the Ilah of mankind, the One who alone is worshipped. Each title describes a different relationship: the One who creates and cares for people, the One who rules over them, and the One who alone deserves their worship. The word mankind (an-nas) repeats at the end of each verse, giving the surah a distinctive rhythm.
Verses 4 to 6 name only one danger, in contrast with the four harms of Al-Falaq. It is the evil of the sneaky whisperer, translated from al-waswas al-khannas, the whisperer who withdraws. Commentators explain that he whispers when a person forgets Allah and pulls back when Allah is remembered. Verse 5 says he whispers into people's hearts, and verse 6 says such whisperers come from both jinn and people.
Al-Falaq asks for protection from harm that comes from outside, while An-Nas asks for protection from the doubts, temptations and bad suggestions that work on a person from within. The surah's three titles for Allah against a single enemy suggest how seriously this inner danger is taken.
Main themes
Lord, King and the One worshipped
The first three verses call on Allah by three titles, each tied to mankind. They cover His care, His authority and His right to be worshipped.
Verses 1–3The whisperer who withdraws
The danger named is the one that whispers and then slips away. Commentators connect his retreat with the remembrance of Allah, which gives the surah a practical remedy.
Verses 4–5Whisperers among jinn and people
Verse 6 says bad suggestions can come from unseen beings or from other people. Protection is needed from both.
Verse 6
Verses to know
قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ ﴿١﴾ مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ ﴿٣﴾
1Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind. 2The King of mankind. 3The God of mankind.
Three titles for Allah, each ending with the word mankind, before a single request. The structure gives the surah its memorable rhythm.
مِن شَرِّ ٱلۡوَسۡوَاسِ ٱلۡخَنَّاسِ ﴿٤﴾ ٱلَّذِي يُوَسۡوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ ﴿٥﴾
4From the evil of the sneaky whisperer. 5Who whispers into the hearts of people.
Describes the whisperer who works on the heart and draws back. Many Muslims recite this surah when struggling with intrusive thoughts, doubts or temptation.
When Surah An-Nas is recited
An-Nas is recited together with Al-Falaq, and often Al-Ikhlas, as a daily protection. Sahih Muslim records the Prophet ﷺ saying that verses like these two surahs had never been revealed before. Sahih al-Bukhari reports that he recited the three surahs into his hands before sleep and wiped them over his body three times, and that he recited the refuge surahs over himself when ill. Sunan Abu Dawud and Sunan at-Tirmidhi report recitation of the three surahs three times each morning and evening, and of the refuge surahs after every prayer. Because it is the final surah, An-Nas is also one of the first that many Muslims memorize.
Surah An-Nas in Arabic and English
All 6 verses, with the Arabic, a transliteration to help you read it aloud, and the English translation by Talal Itani.
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
- 1
قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ
Qul aAAoothu birabbi alnnasi
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind.
- 2
مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ
Maliki alnnasi
The King of mankind.
- 3
إِلَٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ
Ilahi alnnasi
The God of mankind.
- 4
مِن شَرِّ ٱلۡوَسۡوَاسِ ٱلۡخَنَّاسِ
Min sharri alwaswasi alkhannasi
From the evil of the sneaky whisperer.
- 5
ٱلَّذِي يُوَسۡوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ
Allathee yuwaswisu fee sudoori alnnasi
Who whispers into the hearts of people.
- 6
مِنَ ٱلۡجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ
Mina aljinnati wa alnnasm
From among jinn and among people.”
Surah An-Nas PDF
The whole surah on printable pages: Arabic, transliteration and English side by side. Free to download, print and share.
Questions about Surah An-Nas
What is the last surah of the Quran?
Surah An-Nas is the 114th and last surah of the Quran. It has 6 verses.
What does al-waswas al-khannas mean?
It refers to the whisperer who withdraws (verse 4). Commentators explain that he whispers when a person is heedless of Allah and retreats when Allah is remembered.
When should Surah An-Nas be recited?
Well-known practices include reciting it with Al-Falaq and Al-Ikhlas before sleep, three times in the morning and evening, after each obligatory prayer, and over oneself when ill.
Is Surah An-Nas Meccan or Medinan?
It is usually listed as Meccan, though some scholars considered it and Al-Falaq Medinan.