What does « Khnus » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Khnus (خنس) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

خنس

Khnus

Root: خ - ن - س

Creed (aqida) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Khnus

Allah says: 'From the evil of the retreating tempter (al-khannâs)' (An-Nâs: 4).

Al-khannâs: one who hides and retreats.

The devil is khannâs because he retreats when Allah is mentioned and returns when one is negligent.

Khnus in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

At-Takwir 1

An-Nas 1

Surah At-Takwir : 15 Meccan

﴿فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِٱلْخُنَّسِ﴾

So I swear by the retreating stars -

Surah An-Nas : 4 Meccan

﴿مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ﴾

From the evil of the retreating whisperer -

Words from the same root as Khnus

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Mon 21 Jumada al-Awwal
الاثنين 21 جمادى الأولى

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

God and His angels shower their blessings on the Prophet. O believers, you should also send your blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy greeting.

Al-Ahzab 33:56

Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ

What does « Khnus » mean in the Quran?

Definition of Khnus

Khnus in the Quran (2)

Words from the same root as Khnus

What does « Khnus » mean in the Quran?