| Al-Falaq ms9853: (4) And from the evil of the blowers...

Issues Discussed:

There are two main opinions regarding the meaning of An-Naffāthāt (النفاثات):

Opinion 1:

• Nafth (النفث) means blowing with saliva, as stated by the author of Al-Kashshāf. Others say it means blowing only. This is supported by the Prophet's saying: "Gabriel blew into my soul/mind" (نفث في روعي).
• Al-'Uqad (العقد) means knots. The reason for this association is that when a sorcerer begins reciting an incantation, they take a thread, tie knots upon knots in it, and blow into those knots.
• The term refers specifically to females (Naffāthāt) for several reasons:
  1. This craft is primarily known among women because they are the ones who tie knots and blow into them. The core of this practice is binding the heart through suggestion and strengthening illusion/imagination, which is more effective coming from women due to their lesser knowledge (in worldly matters) and intense desires. Thus, their work in this area is stronger. Abu 'Ubaydah stated that An-Naffāthāt refers to the daughters of Labīd ibn al-A'sam, the Jew, who practiced magic against the Prophet (PBUH).
  2. Alternatively, An-Naffāthāt refers to souls/spirits.
  3. Alternatively, it refers to groups/gatherings, because the more sorcerers gather for one act, the stronger its effect becomes.

Opinion 2 (The choice of Abū Muslim):

• The meaning of Min sharri an-Naffāthāt fi al-'Uqad (From the evil of the blowers in the knots) is: The evil of women concerning the knots tied in the resolutions ('azā'im) and opinions of men.
• This is a metaphor derived from tying knots in ropes and nafth (blowing/moistening) the knot with saliva to make it easy to untie.
• The meaning of the verse, therefore, is that women, due to their strong affection in men's hearts, manipulate men, turning them from one opinion to another, and from one resolution to another. Therefore, God commanded His Messenger to seek refuge from their evil, similar to His saying: "Indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them" (64:14). This is why God magnified their scheme, saying: "Indeed, your plot is great" (12:28).
• Note: This opinion is sound, except that it contradicts the view of the majority of commentators.

The Mu'tazila denied the effect of magic. This issue has been previously discussed.

They argued that seeking refuge from their evil is necessary for three reasons:

1. To seek refuge from the sin of their act of magic.
2. To seek refuge from the temptation they use to mislead people through their magic.
3. To seek refuge from the bad foods they feed people, which cause madness or death.

The Almighty's saying: {And from the evil of an envier when he envies} (وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ).