Seeking Refuge with Allah: Understanding the Attributes of the Lord of Mankind

Seeking Refuge with the Lord of Mankind: A Guide to Protection and Devotion

SEEKING REFUGE WITH THE LORD AND GOD OF MANKIND

ALLĀH says,

قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ ۞ مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ ۞ إِلَـٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ

Say:I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind.

These are three attributes from the attributes of the Lord, the Mighty and Majestic. They are:

– lordship,

– sovereignty and

– divinity.

Thus,

– HE is the Lord of everything,

– the King of everything and

– the God of everything.

All things

– are created by HIM,

– owned by HIM, and

– subservient to HIM.

Therefore, HE commands whoever is seeking protection to seek refuge with the One Who has these attributes from the evil of the whisperer who withdraws.

This (the whisperer) is the devil that is assigned to man. For verily, there is not any of the Children of Adam except that he has a companion that beautifies wicked deeds for him. This devil will go to any lengths to confuse and confound him. The only person who is safe is HE Whom ALLĀH protects.

{Tafsi‌r Ibn Kathīr}

So the individual should seek help, seek refuge and seek protection in the Lordship of ALLĀH over all people, for HE is the Lord of all people and all people come under HIS Lordship and Sovereignty, and HE holds the forelock of every living being. And he should seek help, seek refuge and seek protection in the divinity of ALLĀH, by worshipping HIM, which is the purpose for which HE has created them, and this purpose cannot be fulfilled except by warding off the evil of their enemy, who wants to cut them off and prevent them from worshipping ALLĀH, and wants to make them among his party so that they will become inhabitants of the blazing fire.

{Tafsi‌r As-Sa’di}

Abdullah ibn Khubayb (may ALLĀH be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ) said, “Speak.” I said, “What should I say?” The Prophet said, “Say: HE is ALLĀH, the One, (112:1) and the two chapters of refuge, al-Falaq and al-Nas, every evening and morning three times. They will be enough for you against everything.” {Sunan al-Tirmidhi‌ #3575}