Al-Falaq: (3) And from the evil of the darkening [when it] covers...

They mentioned several interpretations regarding Al-Ghāsiq (the darkening/the one that covers):

First View: Al-Ghāsiq is the night when its darkness intensifies. This is derived from the root meaning, as in the verse: {Establish the prayer from the declining [of the sun]...}. Similarly, ghasaqat al-'ayn means the eye filled with tears, and ghasaqat al-jirāḥah means the wound filled with blood. This is the view of Al-Farra' and Abū 'Ubaydah. Ibn Qays recited poetry supporting this:

Indeed, this night has darkened, And I complained of worry and sleeplessness.

Second View: Al-Zajjāj said that linguistically, Al-Ghāsiq means cold. The night is named Ghāsiq because it is colder than the day. This is supported by the mention of al-zamharīr (intense cold).

Third View: A group said that Al-Ghāsiq and Al-Ghassāq refer to that which flows/pours out. This comes from the saying ghasaqat al-'ayn taghsiq ghasqan (the eye flowed with water). The night is called Ghāsiq because of the pouring out of its darkness upon the earth.

As for Waqab (covers/enters): It means entering something else to the extent that it disappears from sight. It is said: waqaba yaqibu wuqūban (he entered). Al-waqbah (the hollow/cavity) is so named because water enters it. Al-īqāb is putting something into the waqbah.

This covers the linguistic aspects. Regarding the exegesis of the verse, the commentators have several opinions:

First Exegetical Opinion: Al-Ghāsiq Idhā Waqab means the night when it enters. One is commanded to seek refuge from the evil of the night because:

1. Wild beasts emerge from their dens, and vermin from their places.
2. Thieves and aggressors attack under cover of night.
3. Fires break out, and aid is scarce. (For this reason, if an aggressor publicly brandishes a weapon against someone at night and kills him, the prevailing opinion is that retaliation (Qisās) is not incumbent upon him, whereas it would be incumbent if it happened during the day because aid is available then.)
4. A group said that harmful spirits called Jinn and devils spread out at night because the power of the sun's rays seems to subdue them, but at night, they gain a kind of dominance.

Second Exegetical Opinion: Al-Ghāsiq Idhā Waqab refers to the Moon. Ibn Qutaybah said the Moon is called Al-Ghāsiq because it undergoes an eclipse (yakhsif), meaning its light departs and it becomes dark. Its wuqūb (covering) is its entry into that darkness. It is narrated from Abū Salamah, from 'Ā'ishah, that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) took her hand and pointed to the Moon, saying: "Seek refuge in Allah from the evil of this, for it is Al-Ghāsiq Idhā Waqab." Ibn Qutaybah interpreted this as seeking refuge from its evil when it enters an eclipse.

My Own View (Al-Rāzī's view): There is another perspective: It is established that the Moon, in its physical body, is not self-luminous but dark. This is what is meant by it being Ghāsiq. As for its Waqūb, it is the disappearance of its light at the end of the month. Astrologers claim that at the end of the month, it is inauspicious and weak because its light continuously diminishes, increasing its misfortune. This is why sorcerers only engage in magic intended to cause illness at this time. This aligns with the reason for the revelation of the Sūrah, as it was revealed because they practiced magic upon the Prophet (PBUH) intended to cause sickness.

Third Exegetical Opinion: Ibn Zayd said Al-Ghāsiq Idhā Waqab means the Pleiades (al-Thurayyā) when it sets. Illnesses used to increase when it set and decrease when it rose. On this basis, the Pleiades are called Ghāsiq because of its pouring out (setting) in the West, and its wuqūb is its entry beneath the earth and its disappearance from sight.

Fourth Exegetical Opinion: The author of Al-Kashshāf suggested that Al-Ghāsiq might refer to the black snake, and its wuqūb is its striking and piercing (naqb). Al-waqb and al-naqb are synonymous. Note: This interpretation is considered the weakest among the mentioned views.

Fifth Exegetical Opinion: Al-Ghāsiq Idhā Waqab refers to the Sun when it sets. It is called Ghāsiq because it swims in the celestial sphere, and its movement and flow are termed al-ghasaq. Its wuqūb is its disappearance and entry beneath the earth.

7 < { And from the evil of the blowers in knots } . > 7 !

Regarding the Almighty's saying: {And from the evil of the blowers in knots}...