Surah Naas

Introduction
Surah Falaq and Surah Naas combine to make the Muawidhatain (the Surahs in which refuge from Allah is sought). Imam Baihaqi RH states that these two Surahs were revealed together because similar themes run in them and they discuss similar matters and their reason for revelation is also common. 
Imam 'Ayni RH, Imam Imam Bai'haqi RH, Hafiz ibn Hajr RH and Ibn Sa'd RH state that these Surahs were revealed when the Jews of Madinah did magic on the Prophet SAW and as a result He SAW became ill. This has lead to Sufyaan bin U'yainah RH as describing these Surahs as Madani. 


Shaane Nuzool (Reason for revelation)
As mentioned earlier, this Surah was revealed because of the threat of attack faced by the Prophet SAW. Initially the Surah was revealed in Makkah when the opposition by the Kufaar became intense, thereafter the second time when the opposition arose from the Munafiqeen (hypocrites) and Jews. After this, there was an incident where magic done on the Messenger SAW. Jibraeel AS came down and instructed Him to seek protection through the recitation of these Ayaat. 

Lessons to learn from this Surah

Allah has taught us to seek refuge in Him and Him alone. He is the Lord of man and from Him do we seek protection especially from the Waswasa (whispers) of Shaytaan. Shaytaan whispers instructions to man, persuading them to do evil actions actions (such as lying, stealing, backbiting and quarelling with others) and convincing them to refrain from noble ones (such as praying Salaah on time, giving charity). It must be noted that Shaytaan himself does not make us do these things, he merely whispers to you and it is our Nafs (ego) which leads to the actions themselves. So we seek protection in Allah SWT to not only safeguard us from the whispers of Shaytaan but also from the persuasion of our Nafs to carry these actions out. 

If we think about the worst of Creation Shaytaan would take the Number 1 spot, thereafter the position would belong to Fira'un. This is because despite the abundance of wealth and power bestowed upon him by Allah SWT, he professed himself as a Lord and commanded that his people worship him. (May Allah protect us!)

In this Surah, Allah SWT refers to Himself using three titles; 
َربِ النَاسِ - Master of the people. 
مَلِكِ النَاسِ - King of the people.  
إِلَهِ النَاسِ - God of the people. 

However due to his arrogance, Fira'un referred to himself using similar titles; 
أَنَاْ رَبُكُمُ الأعْلى - I am your Lord, Most Exalted. [79:42] 
أَلَيسَ لىِ مُلْكُ مِصْرَ - Does the Kingdom of Egypt not belong to me? [43:51]
مَا عَلِمْتُ لَكُمْ مِّنْ إلهٍ غَيْرِيِ - I do not know of any other God for you besides me. [28:38]

This shows what the whispers of Shaytaan can do to a person; it makes him forget that he was created from dust and to it will he return. However due to arrogance and an uncontrollable ego, Fira'un became blind to his true status and it was only when he was drowning and saw the reality of Death that he sought Allah's protection. 
Let it not be that we get to such a late stage for us to realise our position. 

One of the most powerful lessons we can take from this Surah is that arrogance is what lead Shaytaan astray and he is determined to do the same for as many people as he possibly can by turning their desires into their Ilaah. Despite acknowledging the Lordship of Allah he wishes to make people forget this and lead us to the Hellfire. Reading this Surah and Surah Falaq will (with the permission of Allah SWT) protect us from Shaytaan's Waswasa (whispers). 

Remember, Shaytaan only refused to perform one Sajdah and Allah SWT made him the open enemy of man, how many Sujood through our arrogance do we fail to perform?