Surah An-Nas

It—along with the one preceding it, as we have indicated before—is called al-Mu‘awwidhatayn (the two verses of seeking refuge), with a kasrah under the waw; a fathah [on the waw] is an error. It is likewise called al-Muqashqishatayn (the two that cure/cleanse). The discussion regarding its status as Meccan or Medinan has already preceded. It consists of six verses, not seven, although some have chosen the latter view.

(In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful)

(Say, "I seek refuge"): It is recited in both surahs [Al-Falaq and An-Nas] by omitting the hamza and transferring its vowel to the lam, just as it is recited in “fa-khudh arba‘atan” [Quran 2:260].

(In the Lord of mankind): Meaning, the Possessor of their affairs and the One who sustains them by bestowing upon them what benefits them and warding off from them what harms them. Abu ‘Amr and Al-Duri, on the authority of Al-Kisa’i, read “Al-Nas” [in this verse] with imala (inclination), and likewise in every place where it occurs in the genitive case (majrur).