What does « Khns » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Khns (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
Khns
Root: خ - ن - س
Creed (aqida) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Khns

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.

Khns 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 Khns

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