قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ١
Say: He is Allah, the One!
The Three Quls
The Three Quls are the last three surahs of the Qur'an — Al-Ikhlas (112), Al-Falaq (113), and An-Nas (114). Each begins with the command "Qul" — "Say" — and together they are the Prophet's ﷺ prescribed daily protection.
Al-Ikhlas declares Allah's Oneness. Al-Falaq and An-Nas — known as the Mu'awwidhatayn — seek refuge in Him from every external and internal harm.
ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ ٢
Allah, the eternally Besought of all!
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ٣
He begetteth not nor was begotten.
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدُۢ ٤
And there is none comparable unto Him.
Virtues
- Equal to a third of the Qur'an: the Prophet ﷺ said that Al-Ikhlas equals a third of the Qur'an (Bukhari 5013), because it fully condenses the theme of tawhid.
- Morning and evening protection: the Prophet ﷺ said, "Recite Qul huwa Allahu Ahad and the Mu'awwidhatayn three times, morning and evening — they will suffice you against everything." (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi — authenticated)
- Before sleeping: 'A'ishah reported that the Prophet ﷺ, every night before sleeping, would join his palms, recite the three surahs, blow into them, and wipe them over as much of his body as he could reach (Bukhari 5017).
When to recite
- Three times each morning (after Fajr).
- Three times each evening (after Maghrib).
- Every night before sleeping — blown into the palms and wiped over the body.
- After every fard prayer — once each (Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ).
Frequently asked
What are the Three Quls?
The last three surahs of the Qur'an — Al-Ikhlas (112), Al-Falaq (113), and An-Nas (114). Each opens with the word 'Qul' meaning 'Say'.
When should I recite the Three Quls?
Three times each in the morning and evening, before sleeping, and once each after every obligatory prayer — all established from the Prophet ﷺ.
Why are Al-Falaq and An-Nas called the Mu'awwidhatayn?
Mu'awwidhatayn means 'the two surahs of seeking refuge.' Both begin with 'A'udhu' (I seek refuge) and were revealed to protect from every visible and hidden harm.
Does Surah al-Ikhlas really equal a third of the Qur'an?
The Prophet ﷺ said so (Bukhari). Scholars explain it as equivalent in reward — because it completely condenses the Qur'an's teaching on tawhid.