falaqah

Falaqah is an Arabic term sometimes transliterated as falāqah. It is associated with the triliteral root ف-ل-ق (f-l-q), which generally conveys the idea of splitting, cleaving, or opening. In classical Arabic, related forms can denote a split, gap, or opening, and may be used in metaphorical or descriptive contexts. The most widely known connection in English-language texts is to al-falaq (the Daybreak), a direct reference to the dawn.

In Islamic literature, al-Falaq is the name of the 113th chapter (surah) of the Qur’an. The surah’s title, meaning The Daybreak or The Dawn, reflects its thematic focus on seeking refuge from various harms with the blessing of the dawn. This usage makes falāqah relevant primarily in Qur’anic studies and discussions of Arabic terminology rather than as a general everyday term.

fālaqah is not a common term in modern English outside scholarly or linguistic discussions. It is distinct from falak (فلك), a separate root meaning the celestial sphere or orbit, which is used in astronomy and related disciplines. As a result, falāqah is encountered mainly in the context of Arabic morphology, Qur’anic nomenclature, or linguistic analysis rather than as a stand-alone vocabulary item in contemporary usage.