Please rad this post in conjunction with following publications already posted:
- Sürah 114. Al Naas (Mankind) - | Summary | Exegesis / Tafseer |
- Striking resemblance between Surahs Falaq and Naas
مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ
( 4 ) From the evil of the retreating whisperer
We in this post will concentrate exclusively on the clear, accurate explanation of الْخَنَّاس (al-Khannās) from Sūrat an-Nās (114:4) — its root meaning, context, and why it is used:
Meaning of “al-Khannās” (الخناس)
The word al-Khannās comes from the Arabic root: خ ن س — khanasa, which means: (1) to withdraw, (2) to shrink back, (3) to retreat after appearing, and or (4) to hide after manifesting.
So الخنّاس (al-Khannās) means: (1) “the one who repeatedly retreats”, (2) “the stealthy withdrawer” and (3) “the one who hides after whispering”
It implies a being that approaches, whispers, then quickly disappears when remembered of Allah.
Who is al-Khannās in Surah an-Nās?
In context of this Surah, this refers specifically to Shayṭān (Satan) — the devil who: (1) whispers evil, (2) plants doubts, (3) suggests sins, (4) plays with thoughts, and then retreats immediately when Allah is remembered (e.g., saying Astaghfirullah, Bismillah, or any dhikr).
Al-Khannās as mentioned in an authentic hadith, in which the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Shayṭān sits on the heart of the son of Adam; when he remembers Allah, Shayṭān withdraws.” — Musnad Aḥmad, Sahīh
This behavior perfectly fits the meaning of Khannās.
Context of Sūrat an-Nās
Sūrat an-Nās was revealed as part of the Mu‘awwidhatayn (the two protective surahs) for seeking Allah’s protection from "internal attacks (thoughts, whispers, doubts)" as opposed to Sūrat al-Falaq, which deals with external harms.
Thus:
In Sūrat Falaq believers are asked to seek Divine help from protection from external evils
While in Sūrat Nās believers are prompted to seek Divine help from protection from internal evils (whispers of Shayṭān)
Why is the devil called “al-Khannās”? (Wisdom)
Because this describes how the devil works: (1) He does not attack openly, (2) He works subtly through whispers (waswasa). and (3) He withdraws when resisted by remembrance of Allah which instantly defeat him.
However, he returns repeatedly, coming, whispering, retreating, then returning again. This captures the psychological nature of Satan’s influence. And this persistency on the part of the Satan more often than not makes believers with weak Eeman (faith) to fall into the Satanic trap and commit sin. Remember, it was the Satan which enticed Prophet Adam and Eve to eat fruit of the forbidden tree and made them defy the exclusive Divine commandment.
Here is a overall game plan of Satan to put concept of Al Khannās into reality:
The order of the evil of the whisperers seems to be this: first they incite one to open unbelief, polytheism, or rebellion against Allah and His Messenger, and enmity of the righteous (godly) people. If they fail in this and a person does enter Allah’s religion, they misguide him to some innovation. If they fail in this too, they tempt him to sin. If they do not succeed even in this, they inspire the man with the suggestion that there is no haram in indulging in minor sins, so that if he starts committing these freely, he is over burdened with sin. If one escapes from this too, in the last resort they try that one should keep the true religion confined to oneself, and should do nothing to make it prevail, but if a person defeats all these plans, the whole party of the devils from among men and jinn makes a common front against him and incites and stirs up the people and makes them shower him with invective and accusation and slander, and defames him as widely as it can. Then, Satan comes to the believer and excites him to anger, saying: It is cowardly of you to have borne all this insult: arise and clash with your opponents.
This is the last and final device with Satan by which he tries to thwart the struggle of the caller to truth and entangle him in difficulties and obstructions. If he succeeds in escaping from this too, Satan becomes powerless before him. About this same thing it has been said in the Quran: If Satan ever excites you to anger, seek refuge with Allah. (Surah Al-Aaraf, Ayat 200); (Surah HaMim As-Sajdah, Ayat 36). Say: Lord, I seek refuge with You from the promptings of satans. (Surah Al-Mominun, Ayat 97). The fact is that if ever an evil suggestion from Satan so much as touches those who are God-fearing people, they immediately get alerted and clearly see the right course they should adopt. (Surah Al-Aaraf, Ayat 201).
Relevance Today
The concept of Khannās has since never faded and continues to attack the believers, specially the weaker ones. The social media is largely responsible for aiding the Satan in misleading men, whispering evil thoughts in as many ways as can be thought of. Men and women, get easily attracted to the evil and once in it, they find it hard to get out. And even if they try, the persistent Satanic pricking have them fall deeper and deeper in the well of evil.
Thus, today, as ever before, the concept of Khannās fits perfectly with: (1) intrusive thoughts, (2) doubts in faith, (3) temptations, (4) anxiety-causing whispers, (5) negative inner dialogue, (6) overthinking and (6) sudden sinful urges.
How to repel the influence of Khannās?
Although, the effect created by Khannās is enormous, its antidote is very simple: Whenever one remembers Allah — through dhikr, prayer, Qur’an recitation — these thoughts “withdraw.”
Let us in the first place keep our mind clear of evil thoughts, focus our idle time on remembrance of Allah rather than engaging in activities or thoughts that aid the work of the Satan and his devil squad to lure us in his game plan of keeping us away from remembrance of Allah and at the same time thinking ill of others and making plans to hurt others. And if and when we feel that we are falling under the spell of evil, we must immediately shun any negative thoughts trying to mislead us and start remembering Allah.
Foregoing in view, one should understand that an evil suggestion is the starting point of evil act. When it affects a careless or heedless person, it creates in him a desire for evil. Then, further whisperings change the evil desire into an evil intention and evil purpose. When the evil suggestion grows in intensity, the intention becomes a resolution, which then culminates in the evil act. Therefore, the meaning of seeking God’s refuge from the evil of the whisperer is that Allah should nip the evil in the bud.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
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