The Three Quls — Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq & An-Nas

They are called the "Three Quls” because each of the three surahs — Al-Ikhlas (112), Al-Falaq (113), and An-Nas (114) — begins with the word Qul (قُلْ), meaning "Say.” This Arabic command is addressed by Allah to the Prophet ﷺ, instructing him to proclaim these specific words to humanity. Together, the three surahs are also known as Al-Mu’awwidhat (the seeking-refuge surahs), though technically Al-Ikhlas is sometimes treated separately, with Al-Falaq and An-Nas forming the pair called Al-Mu’awwidhatain.

The Prophet ﷺ prescribed reciting each of the Three Quls three times in the morning (after Fajr) and three times in the evening (after Asr). Regarding bedtime, they are recited once per surah (or three times each, according to some scholars), then the believer blows gently on their palms and wipes over their body, repeating this action three times. Reciting them once after every obligatory prayer is also a Sunnah, with the recommendation of three times after Fajr and Maghrib specifically. See Abu Dawud 5082 and Sahih Bukhari 5017.

Yes, this is established in authentic hadith. The Prophet ﷺ confirmed: "Does any one of you find it difficult to recite one third of the Quran in a night? They asked: ‘How could anyone recite one third of the Quran?’ He replied: ‘Qul huwa Allahu ahad is equivalent to one third of the Quran.'” (Sahih Bukhari 5013; Sahih Muslim 811). Scholars explain that the Quran deals with three broad themes: rulings, stories, and the Names and Attributes of Allah (Tawheed). Surah Al-Ikhlas exclusively covers the third category in its entirety — hence it is equal in reward to reciting a full third.

Yes. It is authentically reported that when the Prophet ﷺ was ill, ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) described how he would recite the Mu’awwidhat (Al-Falaq and An-Nas), blow on his hands, and wipe over his body seeking healing (Sahih Bukhari 4439). In his final illness, when he was too weak to recite himself, ‘Aisha would recite them and wipe his hands over his body. This makes Al-Falaq and An-Nas among the most authentic forms of Quranic ruqyah (spiritual healing) alongside Ayat al-Kursi and Al-Fatiha.

While both surahs seek refuge, they protect from different categories of harm. Surah Al-Falaq seeks protection from external evils: the general evil of all creation, the harm of darkness at night, the evil of magic and those who blow on knots, and the harm of those who envy. Surah An-Nas seeks refuge from internal evil: specifically the whispering of Shaytan (Iblis) who whispers into the hearts of people. An-Nas uniquely invokes Allah using three attributes — Rabb (Lord and Sustainer), Malik (King), and Ilah (God) — making it a comprehensive appeal. Together they guard the believer from every conceivable harm, both visible and invisible.

Yes. ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: "Every night when the Prophet ﷺ went to bed, he would cup his hands together and blow into them, and recite into them Qul huwa Allahu ahad, Qul a’udhu bi rabbi l-falaq, and Qul a’udhu bi rabbi n-nas. Then he would wipe as much of his body as he could with them, starting with his head and face and the front of his body, doing that three times.” (Sahih Bukhari 5017). This is a confirmed regular practice of the Prophet ﷺ and is one of the most recommended nightly adhkar in Islamic tradition.