Page-11 : Definition of "Prohibition"(النهى) :Different meanings of prohibition or An-Nahi (النهى)indicative verbs in Sharia:Prophets' and Rasuls' seeking refuge in Allah: Al-Muawwezat المعوذات :Why do we need to recite اعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم before the recitation of the Quran? Prophets and Rasuls were seeking refuge in Allah (الاستعاذة) as cited in the Quran:To recite “Al-Muawwezat” المعوذات (Zer and Tashdid with واو),When someone falls sick?

What is called “prohibition” or An-Nahi (النهى)?

“The prohibition (النهى): النهى قول القائل لغيره على سبيل الاستعلاء لا تفعل means -the Saying of the speaker to others “don’t do it”, in the way of considering himself superior.

Different meanings of prohibition or An-Nahi (النهى) indicative verbs in Sharia:

ان صيغة النهى وردت فى النصوص الشرعية لمعان كثيرة كالتحريم والكراهة والتحقير وبيان العاقبة والدعاء والتأسى cوالارشاد والشفقة والادب والتهديد واباحة الترك والالتماس والتصبر وايقاع الامن والتسوية والتحذير ونحوها

Arabic word النهى or prohibition is mentioned in Sharia’s evidence with many meanings, such as Haram (Illicit), Makruh(Disliked), belittling, explaining the consequences, supplication, grief, guidance, compassion, etiquette, threat, permitting rejection, to search, patience,  establishing peace, to equalize, warning, and more like similar.” (Ref.1)

For this reason, we see Al-Amr is used for Fard, Wajib, Sunnah, Mustahab, Mubah, etc., and An-Nahi is also used for Haram, Makruh, Mubah, etc. So, the difference in the terminologies of Shariah is the demand for reality.

Why do we need to recite اعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم before the recitation of the Quran?

Fakhruddin Ar-Razi described in his Tafsir-

“A person who recites the Quran deserves a great reward. If wonder enters into him in discharging that loyalty (Recitation of the Quran), the reward will be lost. Because Allah’s Rasul (Sm.) said: Three destructors are over there. One of them is self-admiration or appreciation. For this reason, Allah the almighty ordered us to seek refuge in Him before the recitation of the Quran from the cursed Satan. So, that Satan can’t lead him after the recitation of the Quran to the work that ruins his deeds.” (Ref.2)

Prophets and Rasuls were seeking refuge in Allah (الاستعاذة) as cited in the Quran:

1. قال اعوذ بالله ان اكون من الجاهلين“Musa (A.) said- “I seek refuge in Allāh from being among the ignorant.”(Al-Baqarah -67)

2.    قال ربى إنى اعوذ بك ان اسئلك ما ليس لى به علم وإلا تغفرلى وترحمنى اكن من الخاسرين “Nuh (A.) said: My Rob, I seek refuge in you from asking you about what I have no knowledge of, and unless you forgive me and have mercy on me, I shall be one of the losers”. (Hud-47)

3. قالت انى اعوذ بالرحمن منك ان كنت تقيا“Maryam (A.)said: surely I seek refuge in the most merciful from you(Jibrail (A.) came to her in the appearance of a young man) if you should be fearing of Allah.”(Maryam-18)

 4.  وقل رب اعوذ بك من همزات الشياطين“And say, My Rob, I seek refuge in you from the whispering of Satans.” (Al-Muminun 97)

5.    واعوذ بك رب ان يحضرون“And I seek refuge in you, my Rab, in case  they(Satans) be present near me.” (Al-Muminun 98)

6.     وانى اعيذها بك وذريتها من الشيطان الرجيم  (Maryam’s (A.) mother said): “And indeed  I seek refuge in You for her and her offsprings from the cursed Satan”. (Al-Imran-36)

7.   قل اعوذ برب الفلق  “O Muhammad, say, I seek refuge in Rab of the daybreak i-e morning.”  (Al-Falaq-1)

8.  قل اعوذ برب الناس  “O Muhammad, say, I seek refuge in Rab of mankind.” ( An-Nas-1)

To recite  “Al-Muawwezat” المعوذات  (Zer and Tashdid with واو)When someone falls sick?

Surah Al-Ikhlas,Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas are called- Muawwezat.

حدثنا عبدالله ابن يوسف اخبرنا مالك عن ابن شهابعن عروة عن عاءشة رضى الله عنها ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان اذا اشتكى يقرأ على نفسه بالمعوذات وينفث فلما اشتد وجعه كنت اقرأ عليه وامسه بيده رجاء بركتها  

Abdullah Ibn Yusuf told us, Malik told us on the authority of Ibn Shihab, on the authority of Urwah, on the authority of Ayesha, (R.) that “whenever Allah’s Rasul (Sm.) falls sick, he would recite to himself with المعوذات and blows his breath(over his body), and when his pain intensified,(He (Sm. Became seriously ill) I (Ayesha R.) used to recite on him and wipe his (Sm.) hand over his body, hoping for its blessing.” (Bukhari, Hadith -5016-    كتاب فضائل القرأن- باب فضل المعوذات)

 References:(المراجع)

1. Nurul Anwar Fi Sharhil Manar, Author-Ahmad Ibn Abi Sayeed renowned as Molla Jewan Al-Hanafi, Volume-1, Page -226 & 227, Verified and made footnote on it by Hafiz Sanaullah Azzahedi, Printed in Pakistan.

2.Tafsir Al-Kabir,Author- Muhammad Fakhruddin  Ar-Razi Ibnul Allamah Zia uddin Umar(Rah) ,Volume-1, page -46, 1^st Edition ,1308 Hizri year,Matba’tul Azhariah with Tafsirul-Allamah abis Sau’d in the margin .