The virtues in the recitation of certain surahs and ayats.
Reciting the Qurโan
Tameem ad-Dari (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever recites (in prayer) with a hundred verses in a night, it will be written for him as devout obedience to Allah for the night.โ
Abdullah bin Masโud (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever recites one letter from the Book of Allah then he will receive a good reward, and every good deed is rewarded with ten times its like. I do not say that Alif Laam Meem is one word but Alif is one word, Laam is one word and Meem is one word.โ
Ibn Imran (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever recites the Qurโan then let him ask from Allah by it, for there will come a people who recite the Qurโan and will the ask from people by it.โ
Aโisha (radiAllahu anha) that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โReciting the Qurโan during prayer is more excellent than reciting it at other times, and reciting the Qurโan at a time other than during prayer is more excellent than extolling Allah and declaring His greatness. Extolling Allah is more excellent than sadaqah, sadaqah is more excellent than fasting, and fasting is a protection from Hell.
[Bayhaqi Shuโab al-Iman, Mishkat al-Masabih #2166]
Saying โBismillahโ
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that it is one of the names of Allah the distance between it and Allahโs greatest name, is but like the distance between the black and white of the eye seen from a close angle.
[Hakim & Dhahabi in The Book of Excellence of the Qurโan 1/552]
Ibn Abbas (radiAllahu anhu) said, concerning โBismillahโ, Allah evolved it for you, and never had He evolved it unto any community before you.
[Hakim in Al-Mustadrak & Dhahabi in โThe Book of Excellence of the Quran 1/551]
Surah al Fatihah (1)
A man came to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), embraced Islam then returned to his people. On his way there were a group of men who had with them a mad man in iron manacles. The group said, that they heard that the travelers friend (i.e. Prophet Muhammad) had something good with him and so he exorcised the mad man with Surah al Fatiha, and he was cured. As reward they gave the traveler 100 sheep. He then returned to the Prophet and narrated the story. The Prophet asked if he did anything other than recite al-Fatiha, he said no. So the Prophet said that while these people make their livelihoods out of false incantations (i.e. worshipping false idols) the traveler earned the 100 sheep through something lawful; so he could keep the sheep.
[Abu Dawud 3398/a]
Abu Saโid Ar-Rafiโ bin Al-Mu`alla (radiAllahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โShall I teach you the greatest Surah in the Qurโan before you leave the mosque?โ Then he (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), took me by the hand, and when we were about to step out, I reminded him of his promise to teach me the greatest Surah in the Qurโan. He (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โIt is `Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil Alamin (i.e., Surat Al-Fatihah) which is As-Sab` Al-Mathani (i.e., the seven oft-repeated Ayat) and the Great Qurโan which is given to me.โ
[Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that when Allahโs Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) asked Ubayy ibn Kaโab (radiAllahu anhu), โDo you want me to teach you a Surah the like of which has not been revealed in the Torah, the Injeel, the Zabur, nor the Qurโan?โ, and also asked what he recited in his prayers. He replied Umm-ul Qurโan (Surah Fatihah) the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) proclaimed, โBy Him in whose dominion my soul is, nothing like it has been revealed in the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms, or the Qurโan and it is seven of the oft-repeated verses in the Mighty Qurโan which I have been givenโ
[at-Tirmidhi, Al-Hakim says that this hadith is Sahih on the conditions established by Imam Muslim (Tafseer Mazhari 1:30)]
Abdullah Ibn โAbbas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that Allahโs Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said โRejoice in the two lights brought to you which have not been brought to any prophet before youโ: al-Fatihah and the last verses of Surah al-Baqarah (2: 2854), (said an angel to the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him)
[Muslim].
Ambari in his โKitabur-Radโ through his own chain of narrators has mentioned from Mujahid ibn Jabr (rahmatullahi alaih) that Iblees the accursed of Allah Taโala lamented on four occasions: first when he was cursed; secondly when he was cast out of Heaven to the Earth; thirdly when Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was given the Prophethood; fourthly when Surah Fatihah was revealed and it was revealed in Madinah.
Once the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was traveling when he disembarked and began walking alongside a companion. He asked him, โShouldnโt I tell you the best part of the Qurโan?โ then he recited โAlhamdu lilahi rabil alameenโ (Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds).
[Hakim 1/560; Dhahabi]
Abu Saeed al-Khudrโi narrates that while on a journey we halted at a place. A girl came to us and said: โThe chief of this tribe has been stung by a scorpion and our men are not present, is there anybody amongst you who can recite something upon him to treat him?โ Then, one of our men went along with her although we did not think that he knew any such treatment. However, our friend went to the chief and recited something upon him and the chief was cured. Thereupon, the chief gave him thirty sheep and gave us all milk to drink. When he returned, we asked our friend: โDid you know anything to recite upon him to cure him?โ He said: โNo, I only recited Umm al-Kitab (i.e. Surah al-Fatihah) upon him.โ We said that do not do anything until we reach Madinah and ask the Prophet regarding this (practice and reward-whether the sheep were lawful or not for us). Upon reaching Madinah, we narrated this to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), whereupon he remarked: โHow did he come to know that Al-Fatihah can be used as a cure? (Rasulullah said this in astonishment) Distribute your reward amongst yourselves and allot a share for me as well.
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
Ibn โAbbas said, โWhile Jibril (alayhis salam) was sitting with the Prophet, he heard a sound above him and raised his head. He said, โThis is a door of heaven which has been opened today and which has never been opened before today. An angel descended from it.โ He said, โThis is an angel who has descended to earth who has never descended before today.โ He gave the greeting and said, โGive the good news of two lights which you have been given and which no Prophet before you was given: the Fatiha of the Book and the end of Surah al-Baqarah (2). You will not recite a letter of them without being given it.โโ
[Muslim, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi]
Abu Sulaiman says that once a group of Companions were in an expedition (ghazwa) when they happened to come across an epileptic person, who was unconscious. One of the Companions recited Surah Al-Fatiha and blew in his ear. The epileptic person immediately cured. When Sayyidana Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was informed of this, he said: โIt (Surah Al-Fatiha) is โThe Mother of the Qurโanโ (Umm al-Qurโan) and is a cure for every disease.โ
[This narration has been recorded by Ath-Thuaโlbi from Abu Sulaiman, who narrated it from Muawiya bin Saleh (radhi Allah anhu), Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]
Saโib (radhi Allah anhu) bin Yazeed says that Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) recited Surah Al-Fatihah and blew it on me. To safeguard me against calamities, Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) recited this Surah and put his blessed saliva in my mouth.
[At-Tabraani narrated this tradition in โAl-Awsatโ, Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]
Anas (radhi Allah anhu) said: โWhen you recite Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah Al-Ikhlas upon lying on your bed, you will be safeguarded and should become fearless of every thing except death.โ
[Narrated by Baraaโ, Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]
The Prophet said, โWhoever mastered the first seven (chapters or verses) from the Qurโan is a pontiffโ.
[Hakim 1/564; Dhahabi]
The Prophet said, โThe mother of the Qurโan are the seven oft repeated versesโ
[Bukhari 4704]
It is narrated from Jabir (radhi Allah anhu) that Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: โO Jabir, shall I inform you about the best Surah revealed in the Qurโan?โ Jabir said: โO Messenger of Allah, please inform me.โ Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: โIt is Fatiha tul Kitab.โ Jabir adds: โAnd I think that Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that Al-Fatiha is a cure for every diseases.โ Jabir is also reported to have said: โFatiha tul Kitab is a medicine for every disease except death.โ
[Recorded by Al-Khalโi in his Fawaโid, Tafseer Mazhari 1:30]
The Prophet said, โIn the Fatiha of the Qurโan, there is a cure for all maladies(illnesses)โ
[Darimi 3236, also narrated by Ad-Darmi in his Al-Masnad and Al-Bayhaqi in Shuโbul Imaan, Tafseer Mazhari 1:30]
Surah Al-Fatihah is equivalent to two thirds of the Qurโan
[Al-Bayhaqi and Al-Haakim, Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]
Surah al Baqarah (2)
The Prophet said, โThe Qurโan and those who committed themselves to it will be presented on the Day of judgement, preceded by Surah al-Baqarah and Surah al Imranโ.
[Muslim 805]
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โLearn how to recite Surah al-Baqarah for there is a blessing in it, and there is sorrow for abandoning it, and it is unbearable for the idleโ and that โal Baqarah and al Imran are like two flowers which will shade their learner on the day of Judgement, as if there were two large clouds or two flocks of birdsโ.
[Ahmad 21872 & Buraida al-Aslami Muslim 1/553]
The Prophet said, โRecite Surah al Baqarah in your dwellings and do not keep them as tombs. He also said that whoever recited Surah al Baqarah at night would be crowned with a crown of paradise.โ
[Baihaqi in Al-Shuaib]
Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โDo not turn your houses into graves. Shaitan is barred from any house in which Surat al-Baqarah (2) is recited.โ [Muslim 780, 4: 1707]
The Prophet was asked, โWhich part of the Qurโan is the best?โ. He replied, โThe Surah in which the cow is mentionedโ. He was then asked โWhich part of that Surah?โ. He replied, โThe verse of the Throne and the last pasrt of Surah al Baqarah came down from under the Throneโ
[Darimi 3248]
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โAl Baqarah is the top (or pinnacle) of the Qurโan. Eighty angels came down with each one of itโs verses and extracted the verse of the throne from under the throne, and it was joined to the other versesโ
[Ahmad 5/26]
Abu Ummamah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, โWhoever recites Ayat Al-Kursi immediately after each prescribed Prayer, there will be nothing standing between him and his entering Paradise except death.โ
[an-Nasaโi, Ibn Hibban, Darimi 3249/A]
Imam Ahmad (rahimullah) said: It was narrated that Asmaโ bint Yazid ibn As-Sakan (radiAllahu anha) said, I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say about these two versesโ โAllah! There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that existsโฆโ [Al-Baraqah, 2: 255] and โAlif. Laam. Meem. Allah! None has the right to be worshiped but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that existsโ [โAl โImran, 3: 1-2]โ that they contain the greatest name of Allah.
[abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir]
Ubayy ibn Kaโb reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โO Abuโl-Mundhir! Do you know which ayat in the Book of Allah is greatest you have?โ I said, โAllah. there is no god but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustaining.โ (W2:253; H2:256) He struck me on the chest and said, โMay knowledge delight you, Abuโl-Mundhir!โโ
[Muslim, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi]
Imam Ahmad narrated: Muhammad ibn Jaโfar told us, Uthman ibn Itab told us, he said: I heard Abu As-Sulayl saying, A man from among the Companions of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) addressed the people until a large number had gathered around him, then he climbed onto the roof of a house and addressed the people, saying: โThe Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhich verse of the Qurโan is the greatest?โ A man said, โAllah! There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that existsโฆโ [Al-Baqarah, 2: 255].โ He said: He put his hand between my shoulders and I felt coolness in the center of my chest, [or he said] he put his hand on the center of my chest and I felt coolness between my shoulders, and he said, โCongratulations on your knowledge, Abul-Mundhir.โโ
Another version of the same hadith.
[Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir]
It was reported from the Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) that โIt is the greatest verse in the Book of Allah.โ (referring to Ayat al-Kursi). It was narrated from Ubayy ibn Kaโb (radiAllahu anhu) that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) asked him which verse in the Book of Allah was the greatest. He said, โAllah and His Messenger know best.โ He repeated it several times, then he said, โAyat Al-Kursi.โ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, โCongratulations upon your knowledge, Abul-Mundhir. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, it has a tongue and two lips, and it glorifies the Sovereign (i.e., Allah) at the foot of the Throne.โ
[Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir]
Abu Umamah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โThe greatest name of Allah, which if He is called by it, He responds, is in three surahs: Al-Baqarah, โal โImran and Ta-Ha.โ Hisham ibn Ammar, the khateeb of Damascus, said: โIn Al-Baqarah, it is โAllah! There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that existโ [Al-Baraqah, 2: 255]. In โal โImran it is โAlif. Laam. Meem. Allah! There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that existsโ [โal โImran, 3: 1-2]. And in Ta-Ha it is โAnd (all) faces shall be humbled before (Allah), the Ever- Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that existsโ [Ta-Ha, 20: 111].โ
[narrated in a marfuโ report (one that is traced all the way back to the Prophet [salAllahu alayhi wasalam], Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir)]
The Prophet said, โWhoever recites 4 verses from the first part of Surah al Baqarah, the verse of the Throne, two verses after the verse of the Throne and three verses from the last part of Surah al Baqarah, Satan would never come near him or the members of his family on that day, and nothing he despises would come near him or the members of his family, and never are these verses recited over a madman without him regaining his consciousnessโ
[Darimi 3249/A in the Book of Excellence of the Quran; an-Nasai in the Deeds during the Day and Night; Ibn Hibban & Tabrani]
Abdullah ibn Masโud (radiAllahu anhu) said, โWhoever recited ten verses from al-Baqarah in the night, Satan shall not have access to that house, during the night till he wakes in the morning. These are: Four from the first part of the Surah, followed by the verse of the Throne, two verses after the verse of the Throne and three from the last part of the Surahโ.
[Darimi 3248/A]
Abu Umamah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โRecite Surah al-Baqarah: for to hold on to it is a barakah (blessing), to leave it is a regretโ
[Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โEverything has a hump, and the hump of the Qurโan is al-Baqarahโ
[at-Tirmidhi, ad-Darami]
Abu Masโud al-Badri (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โIf anyone recites the two ayats at the end of Surat al-Baqarah (2) at night, they will be enough for him.โ
[Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61 #530, Agreed upon]
It was narrated from Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Kaโb (radiAllahu anhu) that his father told him that he had a vessel in which he kept dates. He used to check on it and found that the number was decreasing. So he kept guard on it one night and saw a beast that looked like an adolescent boy. He said: I greeted him with salams and he returned my greeting, then I asked him, โWhat are you, a jinn or a human?โ He said, โA jinn.โ I said to him, โShow me your hand.โ So he showed me his hand, and it looked like a dogโs paw with dogโs fur. I said, โDo all the jinn look like this?โ He said, โI know no one among the jinn who is stronger than I.โ I said, โWhat made you do what you did [i.e., taking the dates]?โ He said, โWe heard that you are a man who loves charity, and we wanted to have some of your food.โ Ubayy asked him, โWhat will protect us from you?โ He said, โThis verse, Ayat Al-Kursi.โ Then the next day he [Ubayy] went to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and told him (about what had happened) and he said, โThe evil one spoke the truth.โ
[Tafsir of Imam Ibn Katheer]
Ibn โAbbas (radiAllahu anhu) said, โWhile Jibril (salayhis salam) was sitting with the Prophet, he heard a sound above him and raised his head. He said, โThis is a door of heaven which has been opened today and which has never been opened before today. An angel descended from it.โ He said, โThis is an angel who has descended to earth who has never descended before today.โ He gave the greeting and said, โGive the good news of two lights which you have been given and which no Prophet before you was given: the Fatiha of the Book and the end of Surah al-Baqarah (2). You will not recite a letter of them without being given it.โโ
[Muslim, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi]
Abu Umamah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said โRead the two radiant ones al-Baqarah and Al โImran for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds, or two shades, or two flocks of birds, pleading for their companionsโ
[Muslim]
Al-Nawwas Ibn Samโan (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said โThe Qurโan will be brought on the Day of Resurrection, along with its companions who used to act by it, at the front being Surah al-Baqarah and Al โImran like two black clouds or canopies with light, or two flocks of birds pleading for their companionโ
[Muslim]
Abu Huraira (radiAllahu anhu) said, โThe Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) put me in charge of guarding the zakat of Ramadan. Someone came and began to take handfuls of food. I grabbed him and said, โBy Allah, I will take you to the Messenger of Allah!โ He said, โI am needy and have a large family and I am in dire need.โ I let him go and in the morning the Prophet said, โAbu Huraira, what did you do with your prisoner yesterday?โ I said, โMessenger of Allah, he complained of dire need and a large family, so I showed mercy to him and let him go on his way.โ He said, โHe lied to you and he will come back.โ So, from the words of the Messenger of Allah, I knew that he would come back. Therefore, I lay in wait for him and he came and once more began to take handfuls of food. I seized him and said, โI will take you to the Messenger of Allah!โ He said, โLet me go. I am in need and have a large family. I will not come back again.โ I had mercy on him and let him go his way. In the morning the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to me, โAbu Huraira, what did you do with your prisoner yesterday?โ I said, โMessenger of Allah, he complained of dire need and a large family, so I showed mercy to him and let him go on his way.โ He said, โHe lied to you and he will come back.โ So I lay in wait for him a third time and he came and began to take handfuls of food. I grabbed him and said, โI will take you to the Messenger of Allah! This is the third time. You claimed you would not come back and then you came back.โ He said, โLet me go. I will teach you some words which will help you with Allah.โ I said, โWhat are they?โ He said, โWhen you go to bed, recite the Throne Verse, โAllah, there is no god but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustainingโฆโ to the end of the ayat. You will have someone guarding over you from Allah and shaitan will not come near you until morning.โ So I let him go his way. In the morning, the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to me, โWhat did you do with your prisoner yesterday?โ I said, โMessenger of Allah, he claimed that he would teach me some words which would help me with Allah, so I let him go his way.โ He said, โWhat are they?โ I said, โHe said to me, โWhen you go to bed, recite the Throne Verse to the end: โAllah, there is no god but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustainingโ.โ He said to me, โYou will have someone guarding over you from Allah and shaitan will not come near you until morning.โโ The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โHe told you the truth even though he is a liar. Do you know whom you were speaking with on these three days, Abu Huraira?โโ He said, โNo.โ The Prophet said, โIt was Shaitan.โ
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
Surah al Imran (3)
Abdullah ibn Masud (radiAllahu anhu) said, โWhat an excellent treasure Surah al Imran is to the pauper when he recites it in prayer during the last part of the nightโ
[Darimi 3264/A]
The Prophet said, โAllahโs most Magnificent name, which when used to implore Him, He responds, is found in three Surahs. Al Baqara, Alโ Imran and Tahaโ
[Hakim & Ibn Majah 3856]
The Prophet said to Muadh (radiAllahu anhu), โShould I not teach you a supplication which, when used to implore Allah, Allah shall pay your debt, even it be as huge as Mount Uhud? He then mentioned them (i.e. Surah al Imran verse 26 & 27)โ
[Tabarani in Al Saghir 1/330]
Makhul (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โIf anyone recites Al โImran on a Friday, the angels will invoke blessings on him till night comes.โ
[Darimi transmitted it. Mishkat al-Masabih #2172]
Usman ibn Affan (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โIf anyone recites the end of Surah โAl Imran at night, the reward for a night spent in prayer will be recorded for him.โ
Abu Umamah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said โRead the two radiant ones al-Baqarah and Al โImran for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds, or two shades, or two flocks of birds, pleading for their companionsโ
[Muslim]
Al-Nawwas Ibn Samโan (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said โThe Qurโan will be brought on the Day of Resurrection, along with its companions who used to act by it, at the front being Surah al-Baqarah and Al โImran like two black clouds or canopies with light, or two flocks of birds pleading for their companionโ
[Muslim]
Surah al Anโam (6)
Jabir (radiAllahu anhu) reported that The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โSo many Angels accompanied its revelation that the horizon was covered with themโ
[Hakim, Dhahabi & Baihaqi]
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โThe Qurโan was revealed in one fifth part, whoever memorised it in one fifth parts would not forget it. Except for Surah al Anโam, which was revelaed in itโs entirity, seen off by seventy angels from each heaven until they delivered it to the Prophet. Never has it been recited over a sick person, without Allah granting him a cureโ
[Baihaqi & Khatib]
Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu) reported that The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โSurah Anโaam is from the core of the Qurโanโ
[Tafsir of al-Qurtubi]
Surah Hud (11)
Kaโab (radiAllahu anhu) reported that The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โRecite surah Hud on Fridaysโ
[Darimi transmitted it in mursal form. Mishkat al-Masabih #2174]
Surah Yusuf (12)
The Prophet said, โTeach your relatives the recitation of Surah Yusuf, for, any Muslim who recites it or teaches it to his family and slaves, Allah shall ease for him the agony of death, and give him the strength that will prevent him from envying a fellow Muslimโ
[Ibn Asakir]
Surah al Kahf (18)
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever recited Surah al Kahf in the same manner in which it was revealed, it will serve for him as a light on the Day of Judgement, from his domicile to Makkah. And whoever recited the last ten verses, and it happens that the Dajjal should appear after that, Dajjal will not be empowered over himโ.
[Hakim 1/564 & Dhahabi]
Abuโd-Dardaโ reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โAnyone who memorises ten ayats from the beginning of Surat al-Kahf (18) will be protected from the Dajjal.โ
[Muslim, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi 183 #1012]
One variant has, โfrom the end of Surat al-Kahf.โ
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever recited Surah al Kahf on a Friday, Allah will kindle for him abundant light to brightly illuminate the period between the two Fridays (the Friday on which the recitation was made and the next Friday)โ
[Hakim 2/367, Mishkat al-Masabih #2175, however Baihaqi disagreed with itโs authenticity in Sahih Al Jami 2/1104]
Narrated Al-Baraโbin Azib: A man was reciting Surah Al-Kahf and his horse was tied with two ropes beside him. A cloud came down and spread over that man, and it kept on coming closer and closer to him till his horse started jumping (as if afraid of something). When it was morning, the man came to the Prophet, and told him of that experience. The Prophet said, โThat was As-Sakina (tranquility) which descended because of (the recitation of) the Qurโan.โ
[Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61 #531, at-Tirmidhi 2810/A]
Surah Ta Ha (20)
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that Allahโs messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, A thousand years before creating the heavens and the Earth, Allah recited Ta-Ha and Ya-Sin, and when the angels heard the recitation they said, โHappy are the people to whom this comes down, happy are the minds which carry this, and happy are the tongues which utter this.
[Darami transmitted it, at-Tirmidhi]
Abu Umamah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โThe greatest name of Allah, which if He is called by it, He responds, is in three surahs: Al-Baqarah, โal โImran and Ta-Ha.โ Hisham ibn Ammar, the khateeb of Damascus, said: โIn Al-Baqarah, it is โAllah! There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that existโ [Al-Baraqah, 2: 255]. In โal โImran it is โAlif. Laam. Meem. Allah! There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that existsโ [โal โImran, 3: 1-2]. And in Ta-Ha it is โAnd (all) faces shall be humbled before (Allah), the Ever- Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that existsโ [Ta-Ha, 20: 111].โ [narrated in a marfuโ report (one that is traced all the way back to the Prophet [salAllahu alayhi wasalam], Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir)]
Surah al Muโminun (23)
Ibn Masud (radiAllahu anhu) recited (Surah al Muโminun from verse 115 to 118) in the ear of an afflicted person and the man was cured. The Prophet said, โWhat did you reicte in his ear?โ. Ibn Masud told him, and the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โBy He in Whose hand lies my soul, Were a believing man to recite it over a mountain, it would have meltedโ.
[Fath al Qadir 3/502]
Surah as Sajdah (32)
The Prophet would not sleep until he recited Surah as Sajdah.
[at-Tirmidhi 5/165; Hakim 2/412 & Dhahabi in Sahih al Jamiea (22/789)]
Khalid ibn Maโdan (radiAllahu anhu) said, โRecite the Deliverer, which is Alif Laam Tanzeel, for I have heard that a man who had committed many sins used to recite it and nothing else. It spread its wing over him and said, โOโ My Lord, forgive him, for he often used to recite me.โ So the Lord Most High made it an intercessor for him and said, โRecord for him a good deed and raise him a degree in place of every sin.โ
Khalid (radiAllahu anhu) also said, โIt will dispute on behalf of the one who recites it when he is in his grave saying, โOโ Allah, if I am part of Thy Book, make me an intercessor for him. But if I am not a part of Thy Book, blot me out of it.โ It will be like a bird putting its wing on him, it will intercede for him and will protect him from the punishment in the grave.โ He said the same about Tabaarakalladhi (Surah Mulk).
Khalid (radiAllahu anhu) did not go to sleep at night till he had recited them. Taus said that they were given sixty virtues more than any other Surah in the Holy Qurโan.
Surah Yasin (36)
Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said โEverything has a heart and the heart of the Qurโan is Ya Sin. Anyone who reads it, God will write down for him ten readings of the Qurโanโ
[at-Tirmidhi 2812/A & Dhahabi, Maqal]
The Prophet said, โWhoever recited Surah Yasin in the night seeking Allahโs pleasure, Allah would forgive himโ
[Ibn Hibban, Darimi 3283/A, Abu Yala, Tabarani, Baihaqi & Ibn Mardawaih]
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever reads surat Ya-Sin in the night, he will be forgiven. And whoever reads Ha-Meem, the one in which smoke is mentioned, he will be forgiven.โ
[Abu Yaโla reported it]
Maโqil Ibn Yasar (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said โWhoever reads Ya Sin, seeking Allahโs pleasure, his past sins will be forgiven, so recite it over the dying among youโ
[Bayhaqi]
Surah al Fussilat (41)
The messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โEverything has its fruit and benefits, and the fruit of the Qurโan is Ha-Meem (another name for Surah al-Fussilat). Chapters beginning with Ha-Meem are beautiful, fresh, fragrant, splendid mesdows. Whosoever desires to walk around in the mesdows of Paradise should recite these surahsโ
[Al-Tadhkar Fi Afdal Al-Adhkar by Imam al-Qurtubi]
Surah ad Dukhan (44)
Ibn Masud (radiAllahu anhu) said, โThe โha-meemsโ are the embelishments of the Quran
[Hakim, Dhahabi, Ibn Al Mundhir & Baihaqi]
The โha-meemsโ refer to the seven Surahs which have ha-meem at the start.
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhosoever recites Surah ad-Dhukhan every night, seventy thousand angels will ask forgiveness for himโ
[at-Tirmidhi]
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever reads surat Ya-Sin in the night, he will be forgiven. And whoever reads Ha-Meem, the one in which smoke is mentioned, he will be forgiven.โ
[Abu Yaโla reported it]
The messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, Chapters beginning with Ha-Meem are beautiful, fresh, fragrant, splendid mesdows. Whosoever desires to walk around in the mesdows of Paradise should recite these surahsโ
[Al-Tadhkar Fi Afdal Al-Adhkar by Imam al-Qurtubi]
NB: The โha-meemsโ refer to the seven Surahs which have ha-meem at the start are: Surahs Ghafir or Al-Muโmin (40), Fussilat (or Ha-Meem) (41), Shura (42), Zukhruf (43), Dukhan (44), Jathiyah (45), Ahqaf (46)
Surah al Fath (48)
Umar (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โA Surah of the Qurโan was revealed to me tonight, indeed it is the dearest Surah to my heart, than anything under the sunโ. Then the Prophet recited Surah al Fath verses 1-5.
[Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61 #532]
Surah ar Rahman (55)
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) went to the companions and recited Surah ar Rahman but they were all quiet. He told them that he went to the jinn and recited it to them and they were responsive. And when he would recite the verses โAnd which of the favours of the Lord will you denyโ the jinn would respond โThere is nothing among your bounties that we can deny, all praise belong to Allahโ
[Tirmidhi, Ibn al Mundhir, Al Adhama & Hakim 2/474]
Abdullah Ibn Masโud (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โEverything has an adornment, and the adornment of the Qurโan is Surah ar Rahmanโ
[Bayhaqi in Shuab al Eiman]
Surah al Waqiah (56)
Abdullah ibn Masโud reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever recites surah al Waqiah at night would never encounter povertyโ
[Ibn as-Sunni 620, Bayhaqi]
The Prophet said, โSurah al Waqiah is the Surah of Wealth, so recite it and teach it to your childrenโ
[Ibn Asakir]
Surah al Hadid (57)
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) used to recite Surahs of Glorification before returing and he said that there is a verse in them which is better than a thousand verses.
[Tirmidhi 5/181]
NB: These Surahs are: Al-Hadid, Al-Hashr, As-Saf, Al-Jumโah and At-Tagabun
Surah al Hashr (59)
The Prophet said, โWhoever when he wakes in the morning says โI seek refuge with Allah against the accursed satanโ and then recited three verses from the last part of Surah al Hashr, will be assigned seventy thousand angels to pray for him until the evening, and should he die that day, he would have died a martyrโ
[Ibn Ahmad, Darimi, Tirmidhi 5/182]
Surah al Mulk (67)
The Prophet said, โThere is a surah in the Qurโan which is only thirty verses. It defended whoever recited it until it puts him into paradiseโ i.e. Surah al Mulk
[Fath al Qadir 5/257, Sahihul Jamiea 1/680, Tabrani in Al-Awsat & Ibn Mardawaith]
Abu Huraira (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โThe Qurโan contains a surah of thirty ayats which will intercede for a man until he is forgiven. It is: โBlessed be He who has the Kingdom in His Hand!โ (67)โ
[abu Dawud, Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1016]
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โSurah al Mulk is the protector from the torment of the graveโ
[Sahihul Jamiea 1/680, Hakim 2/498 & Nasai]
Jabir (radiAllahu anhu) said it was the custom of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) not to go to sleep until he had read Tabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk and Alif Laam Meem Tanzeel.
[Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Darami]
Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported Rasulullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wasalam) as saying, โThere is a Surah which will plead for its reciter till it causes him to enter paradise (Tabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk).โ
[at-Tabrani]
Abdullah Ibn โAbbas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โIt is my desire/love that Surahtul Mulk should be in the heart of every Muslimโ
[Hakim, al-Hisnul Haseen by the cassical scholar Muhammad al-Jazri]
Ibn Abbas (radiAllahu anhu) said that one of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)โs companions set up his tent over a grave without realising that it was a grave and it contained a man who was reciting the Surah Tabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk up to the end. He went and told the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) who said, โIt is The Defender; it is The Protector which safeguards from Allah Taโalaโs punishmentโ
[at-Tirmidhi]
Khalid bin Madam (tabie) said about surat Al Mulk and โAs Sajda that these two surahs will fight for their reciter in the grave and will say, โO Allah! If we belong to your book, accept our intercession in his favour. In case we do not, get us obliterated. These surahs will spread their wings like birds and will save the person from the torment of the grave.โ
[Mishkat al-Misbah]
It was narrated that Abdullah ibn Masโud said: Whoever reads Tabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk [i.e. Surah al-Mulk] every night, Allah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaiyhi wasalam) we used to call it al-maniโah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah it is a surah which, whoever recites it every night has done very well.
[an-Nasaโi]
Surah al Aโla (87)
โAli (radiAllahu anhu) narrated โHe loved this Surahโ
[Ahmad]
Surah al Zilzilah (99)
Abdullah Ibn โAbbas and Anas Ibn Malik (radiAllahu anhum) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qurโan. Whoever recited surah al Kafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qurโan. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qurโanโ.
[at-Tirmidhi 2818/A]
An old man, saying that his heart had difficulty in remembering, and tongue his sluggish asked the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam); โTeach me the reading of a comprehensive surah.โ
So Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) taught him to recite Idha dul dilatil ardhu dhildalaha up to the end. The man said, โI swear by Him who has sent you with the truth that I shall never recite more than that.โ
Surah Aadiyat (100)
The Prophet said, โWhoever recietes Aadiyat his reqard equals one half of the Qurโanโ
[Hakim 1/566 & Tirmidhi 2894]
Surah at Takathur (102)
The Prophet said, โWhoever recited one thousand verses in one night would meet Allah with a smile on his faceโ. Someone said, โO Apostle, who can recite a thousand verses?โ. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) then recited Surah at Takathur and then said, โBy He in Whose hand my soul is, it is equal to a thousand versesโ
[Al Khatib in Al Muttafaq wal Muftaraq & Dailami in Fath al Qadir 5/487]
Surah al Kafirun (109)
The Prophet said, โRecite surah al Kafirun and then go to sleep after coming to its end, for it is a clearance from shirkโ
[Abu Dawud 4396 & Hakim 1/565]
Abdullah Ibn โAbbas and Anas Ibn Malik (radiAllahu anhum) reported that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said โIt is equivalent to a quarter of the Qurโanโ
[at-Tirmidhi, 2818/A].
Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu) reported that Allahโs messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โQul Huw Allahu Ahadโ is equal to a third of the Qurโan and โQul ya ayyuhal Kafirunโ is equal to a fourth of the Qurโan.โ
[at-Tabarani, classed as Sahih]
Surah al-Nasr (110)
Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โIt is equivalent to a fourth of the Qurโanโ
[at-Tirmidhi]
Surah al Ikhlas (112)
Anas mentioned that a man said to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) , โI really love this surahโ. The Prophet replied, โAnd your love for it will enable you to enter paradiseโ
[at-Tirmidhi 2826/A, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1013]
Abu Saโid al-Khudri (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said about the surah, โSay: He is Allah, Absolute Onenessโ (112), โBy Him in Whose hand my soul is, it is equal to one third of the Qurโan!โ
[Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61 #533, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1010]
โQul Hu Allahu Ahadโ is equal to a third of the Qurโan and โQul ya ayyuhal Kafirunโ is equal to a fourth of the Qurโan.โ
[at-Tabarani, classed as Sahih]
Muโadh bin Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever recites (Qul Hu Allahu Ahad) ten times, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.โ
Abu Huraira (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that โSay: He is Allah, Absolute Onenessโ is equal to a third of the Qurโan.
[Muslim, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1012]
Abdullah Ibn โAbbas and Anas Ibn Malik (radiAllahu anhum) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โWhoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qurโan. Whoever recited surah al Kafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qurโan. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qurโanโ.
[at-Tirmidhi 2818/A]
Anas (radhi Allah anhu) said: โWhen you recite Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah Al-Ikhlas upon lying on your bed, you will be safeguarded and should become fearless of every thing except death.โ
[Narrated by Baraa, Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]
Abu Saโid al-Khudri (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to his Companions, โAre any of you unable to recite a third of the Qurโan in a night?โ That was difficult for them and they said, โWhich of us is able to do that, Messenger of Allah?โ He said, โ[The surah] โSay: He is Allah, Absolute Oneness, Allah, the Everlasting Sustainer of allโ (112) constitutes a third of the Qurโan.โโ
[Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61 #534, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1010]
Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) as saying, โIf anyone recites two hundred times daily, Qul huwallahu ahad the sins of fifty years will be wiped out, unless he is in debt.โ
[at-Tirmidhi and Darami].
The latter version has โfifty timesโ and he did not mention โunless he is in debtโ
Aโisha (radiAllahu anha) reported that whenever the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over it after reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas, Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face and front of his body. He used to do that three times.
[Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61 #536]
Surah al Falaq (113)
The Prophet said, โO Uqba, learn to recite Surah al Falaq, for you would never recite a surah more cherished by Allah and more profound in His sight that this surahโ
[Durais, Ibn al Anbari, Hakim, Dhahabi & Ibn Mardawaih]
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) used to seek refuge from the jinn as well as from the evil eye until Surah al Falaq and An Naas were revealed. When they were sent down, he utilised them and left other things.
[at-Tirmidhi #1984, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1014]
โUqba ibn โAmir reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, โHave you not seen the ayats sent down this night the like of which have never been seen before? โSay: I seek refuge with the Lord of Daybreak,โ and โSay: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.โโ (113 & 114)
[Muslim]
Surah an Nas (114)
Aโisha (radiAllahu anha) reported that whenever the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) became sick, he would recite Muโawwidhat (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas) and then blow his breath over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite (these two Surahs) and rub his hands over his body hoping for its blessings.
[Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61 #535]
โUqbah Ibn โAmir (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said โNo seeker of refuge can seek refuge with anything like these twoโ
[abu Dawud]
References:
-Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous) by Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi
- The Excellence of the chapters and verses of the Qurโan by Mohammad Abdul Bashir Rafiuddeen
- Al-Hisnul Haseen by Imam Ibn al-Jazari Muhammad ibn Muhammad
- Selected Surahs from the Qurโan and their Excellence by AlBirr Foundation, UK
- Munajati Maqbul by Abdul Rahman Tariq
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