Surah al-Falaq (Daybreak)

Shaykh al-Islām, champion of the Sunnah and suppressor of innovation, Taqī al-Dīn Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah—may the Lord benefit us through his knowledge—also said the following, among the writings he composed in the Citadel:

Section: On the words,

“Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak.”

Allah Most High says:

“The Cleaver of grain and fruit stones.”

And He Most High says:

“The Cleaver of daybreak, who has made the night for rest.”

Falaq (splitting open) is a verbal noun used in a passive sense, just as qabd (seizing) can mean “that which is seized.” Thus, everything the Lord has split open is falaq. Al-Hasan said: “Falaq is everything that splits open to reveal something, such as daybreak, grain, and fruit stones.”

Al-Zajjāj said: “If you reflect on creation, it will become clear to you that most of it comes into being through splitting open