The 4 Quls

Each surah, and what it does

The four Quls are Surah al-Kafirun, al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, and an-Nas, each carrying a distinct meaning: sincerity of worship, the oneness of Allah, and refuge from harm. Sahih al-Bukhari 5017 records the Prophet ﷺ reciting all four before sleep, blowing into his cupped hands, then wiping over his body.

1. Surah al-Kafirun (109)

Declaration of pure worship. The Prophet ﷺ said it equals a quarter of the Quran (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2893, hasan). Reading it before sleep is a Sunnah "freedom from shirk" for the night ahead.

2. Surah al-Ikhlas (112)

The definition of Allah's oneness. The Prophet ﷺ said it equals a third of the Quran (Sahih al-Bukhari 5013). Whoever loves this surah, Allah loves them (Sahih al-Bukhari 7375).

3. Surah al-Falaq (113)

Refuge from the evils that emerge from creation, from the dark, from envy, and from magic. Part of al-Mu`awwidhatayn (the two seekers of refuge).

4. Surah an-Nas (114)

Refuge from the whispers of the shaytan that enter the chest of humans. The final surah of the Quran, and the seal of the four Quls.

What is the full daily routine for the 4 Quls?

The full daily routine has three parts: once each after every fard prayer, three times each after Fajr and Maghrib as part of the morning and evening adhkar, and all four before sleep with cupped hands blown over the body and wiped three times, following Sahih al-Bukhari 5017.

• After every fard salah: once each.
• After Fajr and Maghrib: three times each (morning and evening adhkar).
• Before sleep: recite all four, blow gently into cupped palms, wipe over head, face, and body. Repeat three times.