What Are The Four Quls in Quran?

What Are The Four Quls of the Quran?

The four quls are just four surahs (chapters) of the Quran that begin with the word Qul. These four surahs are:

1. Surah Ikhlas
2. Surah Al-Kafirun
3. Surah Nas
4. Surah Falaq

These surahs are among the shortest surahs in the entire Quran making them relatively easy to memorize. They are 4-6 ayats (lines) long. Below you can read the four quls with English translation and in Arabic. We will also cover the hadith that discusses the virtues or benefits that the reciter will received for saying these surahs. 

First Qul of Quran is Surah Al Kafirun

Surah Kafirun is the 109th chapter of Quran. It consists of a total of 6 ayats. Here’s Arabic text, transliteration and translation:

The Second Qul – Surah Ikhlas

The 2nd Qul is Surah Ikhlas, the 112th Surah of the Quran and it’s English meaning is “Fidelity” or “Sincerity”. It is shorter than Kafirun with only 4 ayats.

The 3 Quls – Surah Al Falaq

The third Qul of Quran is Surah Falaq which is the second last surah of the Quran. This surah is often recited for those looking to seek refuge in Allah, away from Shaitan. It consists of a total of 5 ayats.

The 4th Qul – Surah An Nas

The fourth and final Qul of the Quran is Surah An-Nas, it is also the last chapter of the Qur’an. It consists of 6 ayats which you can read below.

Virtues and Benefits According to Hadith

The Four Quls are known as the protecting Surahs. Surah Al-Kafiroun and Al-Ikhlas protect from shirk. Surah Falaq and Nas protect from us from Jinn, black magic and the whispering of the shaitan.

Hadith on Surah Ikhlas and Kafirun:

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “I watched the Prophet (pbuh) for a month, and in the two Rak’ah before Fajr he used to recite: “Say: O you disbelievers!” [Al-Kafirun (109)] and “Say: Allah is One.” [Al- Ikhlas (112)] Grade : Hasan (Darussalam) English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1149

The Prophet (ﷺ) said to his companions, “Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur’an in one night?” This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, “Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?” Allah Apostle replied: ” Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.’ (Surat Al-Ikhlas 112.1 – to the End) is equal to one third of the Qur’an.” (Reference: Sahih Al-Bukhari 5015)

Hadith On Surah Nas and Falaq

Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would get ready for sleep, he would blow into his hands, recite the two chapters of refuge (surah al-falaq and surah an-nas), and he would wipe his hands over his body. Source: Sahih Bukhari 5960 Grade: Sahih (authentic).

Whenever Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) became sick, he would recite Mu’awwidhat (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An- Nas) and then blow his breath over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite (these two Suras) and rub his hands over his body hoping for its blessings. Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5016 In-book reference: Book 66, Hadith 38

Conclusion

The Four Quls are very short yet very powerful prayers that we as Muslims should recite more often. The weight they are given are quite heavy and can generate significant reward that we can benefit from on the day of judgement.