The 4 Quls (Four Quls) are four short surahs of the Quran that each begin with the word "Qul" — meaning "Say". They are among the most recited surahs in Islam, memorised early by children, and known for their powerful protection. The Four Quls are Surah Al-Kafirun, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas.
What are the 4 Quls?
Four surahs of the Quran open with the command "Qul" (Say). Muslims group them together as the "4 Quls" because they are short, easy to memorise, and carry immense benefit — especially the last three, which the Prophet ﷺ used daily for protection from all harm.
1. Surah Al-Kafirun
Qul yaa ayyuhal-kaafiroon. Laa a'budu maa ta'budoon. Wa laa antum aabidoona maa a'bud. Wa laa ana aabidum-maa abadtum. Wa laa antum aabidoona maa a'bud. Lakum deenukum wa liya deen.
English: Say: O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship, nor do you worship what I worship. Nor will I worship what you worship, nor will you worship what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.
2. Surah Al-Ikhlas
Qul huwallaahu ahad. Allaahus-samad. Lam yalid wa lam yoolad. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad.
English: Say: He is Allah, [who is] One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.
The Prophet ﷺ said Surah Al-Ikhlas equals one-third of the Quran (Sahih al-Bukhari), because it purely describes the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed).
3. Surah Al-Falaq
Qul a'oodhu bi rabbil-falaq. Min sharri maa khalaq. Wa min sharri ghaasiqin idhaa waqab. Wa min sharrin-naffaathaati fil-uqad. Wa min sharri haasidin idhaa hasad.
English: Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, from the evil of that which He created, and from the evil of darkness when it settles, and from the evil of the blowers in knots, and from the evil of an envier when he envies.
4. Surah An-Nas
Qul a'oodhu bi rabbin-naas. Malikin-naas. Ilaahin-naas. Min sharril-waswaasil-khannaas. Alladhee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin-naas. Minal-jinnati wan-naas.
English: Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the Sovereign of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the retreating whisperer, who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind, from among the jinn and mankind.
Benefits of the 4 Quls
- Al-Falaq and An-Nas (Al-Mu'awwidhatayn) are the two surahs of protection. The Prophet ﷺ recited them morning and evening and before sleeping, blowing into his hands and wiping over his body (Sahih al-Bukhari).
- Surah Al-Ikhlas equals one-third of the Quran in reward.
- Surah Al-Kafirun is a declaration of pure Tawheed and freedom from shirk; reciting it before sleep is a Sunnah.
- Reciting the last three Quls three times each morning and evening suffices a person against everything (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud).