When we look to Suratul Falaq, “The Dawn or the Daybreak” we find the majesty and wonder of Allah and all of his power. In this mere five verse chapter of the Holy Quran, we learn to seek refugee, or safety from very specific corruptions that negatively impact man – darkness, sorcery, jealousy. Daybreak itself removes the darkness and serves as a relief and safe space. Here we are in awe of the power and utility of light both in a physical and allegorical symbolic sense. Allah created both the light and the dark, but it takes the light to understand the darkness.
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak.”
From the evil of what He has created.
And from the evil of darkness when it settles.
And from the evil of those who practice sorcery by blowing on knots.
And from the evil of an envier when he envies.
Suratul Falaq – 113: 1-5
In this surah, Allah teaches mankind how to protect themselves from the evil that exists in the world, beginning with a very specific command ‘Qul’ which is an imperative verb in Arabic. This word translated in English is ‘Say” . Even in English, when the word ‘say’ comes at the beginning of a sentence it is a command or instruction.
Since the Holy Quran is a message and guide to all of mankind, Muslim families are equipped with the instructing signs of how to combat evil and unwanted influences in the home.
- Call on Allah – this surah commands the human being to call on their Lord – the Lord of the daybreak, the One who created both light and darkness, - Al Muhaymin – The Protector, The Savior, The Guardian.
- Muslim family who pray together regularly call on Allah in each salah, which acts as a shield against influences that take the family out of Islamic thoughts and behaviors towards each others and people outside of the family.
- Recite Quran – the Quran describes itself as a clear guidance (3:96), a manifest light (4:174), a book taking mankind from darkness{ignorance and disbelief} to light [faith, understanding of Tawheed] (14:1), a declaration (3:138), a blessing (6:155), a confirmation (10:37), a message (21:10) and a mercy (17:82)
- Each member of the household should be given an opportunity to recite Quran. Not only does this give each member a voice, it also helps each member to learn verses from the Quran and relate them to their daily lives. When family members regularly recite Quran, the members are also able to reflect back on verses they have memorized and use them in context.
- Seek Refuge in Allah - transliterated as “A’udhu billahi min ash-shaitan ir-rajim” (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaitan). This simple phrase is a spiritual barrier, protecting the believer from the whispering and evil influences that can enter our hearts and minds.
- All members of the family benefit from saying these few words. Allah has instructed us to chase away the evil by uttering these words. Perhaps in a family conflict, beginning the discussion or explanation with this phrase brings the temperature down and raises the willingness to speak the truth, speak without harshness, to refrain from accusation and anger and to be fair to each other.
- Reflect – remembrance of Allah helps the believe remember that we are all His servants striving to submit and seeking only to please Him. Reflecting on that ultimate goals drives away thoughts and deeds that may take us away from that goal.
- Reflection is a pause. That moment of thinking and discernment can change the dynamic of the words uttered and the action taken.
- Repentance – seeking Mercy from Allah for any corruption that we may have inadvertently or intentionally committed is a basic tenet of the deen.
- When mistakes are made or unkind words are spoken in a family, a bad deed is immediately followed up with a good deed. Good intentions. We seek mercy and forgiveness from Allah first, and then ask from anyone within the family that we may have offended.
- Do Charity – the act of giving something of ourselves in service to fellow human beings in a major part of Islam.
- Charitable deeds help families run smoother. This is a selfless act meaning it is done because a family members notes that another needs help. Charitable deeds raise the spirit of Islamic character within a household
- Good Deeds. These deeds also serve as a reminder of the transient nature of worldly possessions, which Shaitan often uses to tempt individuals.
- Along with charity, which is selflessly and voluntarily doing something to help someone in need, good deeds can be greeting the salaams, courteous words, giving time, attention and energy to other family members and doing things without having to be asked. A good deed is also turning down things that are disruptive to the home like a risque television program or inviting in disrupting acquaintances, living messes for others to clean up
- Mindfulness By being mindful of one’s thoughts and actions, it becomes easier to resist negative impulses.
- When family members seek refuge in Allah from evil influences this is a mindfulness that seeking them out or allowing them in is a bad deed. Mindfulness leads to respect for each other and respect for the home. A mindfulness draws the whole family into the single direction of wanting to establish and maintain a healthy, safe Islamic environment in which to live. Mindfulness is a du’a begging Allah for His protection and guidance is how to please Him, submit to him and be beneficial to ourselves and our families.
May Allah bless us for our efforts and intentions in protecting our hoes from corruption.
Author bio: Mahasin D. Shamsid-Deen is the news curator and content manager for Muslim Network TV (MNTV) and contributing writer for Sound Vision. She holds a master’s degree in English writing and has worked as both a High School and College ESL Instructor and Writing Instructor for more than a decade. Mahasin has numerous published articles, books, essays and is a published playwright with three award winning stage plays. She is currently writing her dissertation for her doctoral degree.
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