Exegesis of Surat al-Nas: Allah the Exalted said: "Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the Sovereign of mankind."
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The Shaykh : As for the other surah, it is [An-Nas 114:1], and we ask about the word "Say": what is intended by it?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : The command is from Allah, but who is the one being commanded?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : The generality, may Allah bless you.
"Say" is for the general public, and even if the address is to one person, the intent is the general public, meaning: Say, O human being,[An-Nas 114:1-2] and so on.
"I seek refuge" means I take refuge in the Lord of mankind, who is Allah (Mighty and Majestic). He said (Glorified and Exalted is He) "Lord of mankind" because there is much evil among people, and the One who has dominion over them (Mighty and Majestic) is Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). For this reason, He said afterwards, meaning the One who possesses sovereignty, power, and control. He is their Lord who created them, bringing them into existence from nothing, and He is their Lord who provided them with what sustains life, such as food, drink, air, and other things.
He is also their Sovereign, the Sovereign of mankind, meaning the One who possesses sovereignty, power, and control. No one has complete sovereignty except Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He).
Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
قل أعوذ برب الناسThe student: ... .
The Shaykh : The command is from Allah, but who is the one being commanded?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : The generality, may Allah bless you.
"Say" is for the general public, and even if the address is to one person, the intent is the general public, meaning: Say, O human being,
(1) Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, (2) The Sovereign of mankind.
أعوذ برب الناس ملك الناس"I seek refuge" means I take refuge in the Lord of mankind, who is Allah (Mighty and Majestic). He said (Glorified and Exalted is He) "Lord of mankind" because there is much evil among people, and the One who has dominion over them (Mighty and Majestic) is Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). For this reason, He said afterwards
the people
ملك الناسHe is also their Sovereign, the Sovereign of mankind, meaning the One who possesses sovereignty, power, and control. No one has complete sovereignty except Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He).