4 Qul
Among the numerous beautiful surahs in the Quran, four short but very strong surahs deserve to be mentioned because of their spiritual richness and their protective impact, as well as their succinct theological revelation. These four are collectively known as “The 4 Qul” – four statements of Allah which start with the Arabic word “Qul” (قُل), meaning Say.
These four chapters are:
Surah Al-Kafirun (109) the Disbelievers.
Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) -The Sincerity or The Purity.
- Surah Al-Falaq (113) – The Daybreak
- Surah An-Nas (114) – The Mankind
They all sum up the sense of faith (iman), monotheism (tawhid), and divine protection. These surahs were also regularly recited by the Prophetﷺ himself – during prayer sessions, at bedtime, and in times when he needed protection by Allah.
The paper focuses on the deep meanings, the virtues, and the significance of each of these surahs with authentic hadiths and classical tafsir.
1. Surah Al-Kafirun (The Disbelievers)
Overview and Names
Among the early Quranic surahs are Surah Al-Kafirun,which has six verses. It is also known as Surah Al-Muqashqishah -the purifier – because it proclaims the absence of shirk (polytheism). It is also referred to as the traditional Surah Al-Ibadah (The Chapter of Worship) and Surah Ad-Din (The Chapter of Religion).
The revelation of the surah came when the leaders of Quraysh visited the Prophetﷺ with an offer of compromise: they would prostrate themselves to Allah in a year, in case he would bow himself to their idols in a year. The surah was a powerful and God-like reprimand to any religious compromise.
“Say, ye unbelievers, I neither serve your gods nor in your gods serve ye; but serve ye my gods, and in my gods serve I ye;
(Qur’an 109:1–2)
Themes and Meaning
Al-Kafirun establishes the indisputable boundary between tawhid(monotheism) and shirk (polytheism). It restates the fact that the worship is that of Allah and does not tolerate the temptation to mix truth and false.
And it concludes with the resounding statement:
Thou hast thy religion, And mine is mine.
This line is not a pronouncement of political tolerance in the modern meaning, but of spiritual definiteness– the unswerving position of Islam on pure worship.
Virtues of Surah Al-Kafirun
Many of the true accounts bear testimony to its merits:
1. The Equivalent of One-Fourth of the Quran:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
The equivalent of one-fourth of the Qur is Qulyaaayyuhal-kafirun.
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2895)
2. Protection from Shirk:
Prophet ﷺ told Naufal al-Ashja‘i:
Say Qulyaaayyuhal-kafiruz before going to sleep, and it is a statement of liberation from shirk.
(Sunan al-Darimi, 3459)
3. Recited Before Sleep:
The Prophet ﷺ was in the habit of reciting this surah before going to sleep as a sign of devotion to Allah only.
4. Recited in Sunnah Prayers:
The Prophet ﷺ would recite it during the two rak’ahs before Fajr and two rak’ahs after Maghrib alongside Surah Al-Ikhlaṣ when he would say:
These two surahs are excellent.
Aisha and Abu Hurayrah are the narrators of this, found in multiple authentic texts (where most of the chain of reporters is also cited).
5. True Faith is Being recognized:
Listening to a man who was reciting it in Fajr, the Prophet ﷺ said:
This is a man familiar with his Lord.
This is what was narrated by Jabir ibn AbdAllah, the companionof Prophet ﷺ, who recounted it: The Prophet stated that the demise of an individual is akin to the death of a fetus.(human)It is what Jabir ibn Abdillah the companion of Prophet Mohamed told, and he said: The death of a person is akin to the death of a fetus.
2. Surah Al-Ikhlas(The Purity or Sincerity)
Overview and Meaning
One of the surahs of the Quran that is the most popular and repeated is Surah Al-Ikhlas. It has just four verses, yet it dictates all the theology of Islam. It is also known as Surah At-Tawhid, As-Samad, and Al-Asais (the Foundation) because it is the basis of the faith in the Oneness of God.
Say: He is Allah, the unique; Allah, the Everlasting Asylum. He is neither born nor begotten, and there is nothing to be compared with Him.
(Qur’an 112:1–4)
Reason for Revelation
The Jews and idolaters had requested the Prophet ﷺ to describe his lord. Allah responded by sending this surah and fixing his nature beyond the boundaries of the imagination or the similarity of the human being.
Theological Depth
Surah Al-Ikhlaṣ touches on the three aspects of tawfhi:
1. Tawhibiyyahar-Rububiyyah -Oneness of Lordship
2. Tawihid ul Uluhiyah- oneness of worship.
3. Tawḥid al-Asma’ waṣ-Ṣifati- Oneness in Names and Attributes.
All the verses are safeguards against anthropomorphism, trinitarianism, and all polytheisms.
Virtues of Surah Al-Ikhlaṣ
1. One-Third Equal to the Quran:
The Prophet ﷺ stated:
The number of words in the Quran is one-third the size of Qulhuwa Allah AH.
(Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim, 811; al-Bukhari, 4627)
2. The reason is that Love of This Surah Leads to Paradise:
One of my acquaintances used to repeat it at all prayers. On being asked why, he replied:
As it talks of the Most Merciful, and I feel like saying it.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
You have made a place in Paradise with all your love for it.
(Ṣaḥiḥ al-Bukhari& Muslim)
3. A Source of Protection:
The Prophet ﷺ would read Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas and then take a nap and blow over his hands, rubbing them against his body.
(Ṣaḥiḥ al-Bukhari, 4630)
4. A Gateway to Divine Love:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
Everyone who says Qulhuwa Allah Ahed ten times will be given by Allah a house in Paradise.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmi‘, 6472)
Spiritual Lessons
Surah Al-Ikhlas continues to educate those who believe that Allah is unique and not restricted by any means, and is independent. It liberates the heart and does not put it in need of any other person than Him.
3. Surah Al-Falaq (The Daybreak)
Overview
Al-Falaq is a surah of Meccan nature that was revealed to protect the faithful against external evils, namely, night darkness, jealousy, and magic. It consists of five verses and begins with:
Say: Take refuge with the Lord of daybreak, with the wickedness of His creation…
(Qur’an 113:1–2)
Themes
By this surah, the faithful are taught to take refuge by Allah against:
- In the blackness of the night, where there are things that are lurking.
- The destruction of sorcerers who blow knots (an analogue of black magic).
- Pride of the spying when he follows his spying.
Virtues
The Prophet ﷺ named Al-Falaq and An-Nas to be the Muawwidhatayn (the two seeking refuge surahs). He read them to prevent damage, illnesses, and other wicked glances.
Narrated by Anas ibn MalikR.A:
Until the revelation of the Messenger of Allahﷺ, the Messenger of Allah ﷺwould take refuge in Allah against the jinn and against the evil eye. And then he put them to use and stopped using everything else.
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2058)
The surah message is eternal -no protection is final through charms and wards, but there is no protection like the mention of Allah.
4. Surah An-Naas (The Mankind)
Overview
Surah An-Nas is the final chapter of the Quran, a spiritual weapon against evil, but of a spiritual nature, that is internal, hidden, the tempting of Shayṭan that corrupts the hearts and minds.
Say: I take refuge with the Master of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind, who is the evil of the whisperer who retreats.
(Qur’an 114:1–4)
Themes and Meaning
This surah underscores that:
- Allah is the sole Lord (Rabb), King (Malik), and God (Ilah) of humankind.
- Security against Satanic propositions and spiritual errors is provided by Himself.
- It targets the psychological and spiritual battles of the human soul jealousy, pride, disbelief, and fear.
Virtues
The Prophet ﷺ was to recite Al-Falaq and An-Naas every day to protect himself:
say Qulhuwa Allah u Ahd, Qul a and bi rabbinil Falaq, Qul a and bi Rabbin nas, three times in the morning and evening, they will be sufficient against all things.
(MusnadAḥmad, 16810)
Spiritual Insight
Whereas the Al-Falaq is a defense against external danger, the An-Nas is a defense against internal spiritual danger – whispers, doubts, and temptations. The duo offers a complete package of body, mind, and soul protection.
The reason why the 4 Qul are recited.
Prophet ﷺ read these four surahs on one occasion during his day-to-day activities. As they are read together, we form a kind of spiritual armour which protects against:
Shirk and kufr (Surah Al-Kafirun)
False belief concerning the nature of Allah (Surah Al-Ikhlaṣ)
External wickedness and envy (Surah Al-Falaq)
Whispers and lies (Surah An-Nas)
The Prophet ﷺ told:
Do thou not notice that to-night verses very similar to such as were never heard before have been shown me? Qula’u dh fi Rabbil-Falaq’ and Qula’u dh fi Rabbin-Nas’.
(Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim, 814)
The Prophet ﷺ would recite the four of them every night and after every prayer making it his part of spiritual life.
The 4 Qul of Transforming Power.
The 4 Qul is a day-to-day creed and formula of prayer of protection to every Muslim. Their recitation on a daily basis strengthens faith, prevents hurt and purifies the heart of fear, doubt and evil influences.
The benefits of Memorizing the 4 Qul.
1. Security against black magic, jealousy and evil eye.
2. Purging of sins and cleansing of the spirit.
3. Proclamation of mono theism and faith.
4. Sleeplessness and security against nightmares.
5. Nearness to Allah in the love of God.
The 4 Qul in real life.
1. Before Sleep:
Repeat all four surahs, blow on your hands, and wipe your body in the way that the Prophetﷺ used to do.
2. After Prayers:
Say Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas after every obligatory prayer.
3. In Hardship or Fear:
Repeat Al-Falaq and An-Nas to be shielded against evil.
4. Morning, Evening Memorial:
Say them thrice a day in the mornings and evenings to have spiritual protection all day long.
Conclusion
The 4 Qul surahs are not mere brief chapters, but heavenly keys to opening protection, peace, and faith. The surahs complete each other that is, some confirm pure monotheism, in Al-Kafirun and Al Ikhlas, and in Al-Falaq and An-Nas guard against external and internal evils respectively.
They are collectively known to make up the journey of the believer a complete shield of spiritual power in the heart and soul – faith, worship, sincerity, and protection.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ says, Recite them in abundance, they will be sufficient to you against every malady.
FAQs on the 4 Qul
Q1: What are the 4 Qul in the Qur’an?
The number of them is four brief surahs beginning with Qul: Al-Kafirun (109), Al-Ikhalas(112), Al-Falaq (113), and An-Nas (114).
Q2: Why is reciting the 4 Qul before going to sleep a good thing?
It gives tranquility, safety against the evils, and immunity against the murmurs of Shayṭaan.
Q3: Which one is Surah of Tawḥid?
The reason to use Surah Al-Ikhlas is that it is an accurate depiction of the Oneness of Allah.
Q4: Do the 4 Qul occur in morning and evening adhkar?
Yes. The Prophetﷺproposed that they be recited thrice inthe morning and evening to offer protection.
Q5: Protecting women, should they too recite the 4 Qul?
Absolutely. The blessings and the protection that the Quran has is not limited to men alone.
