SELECT SURAHS

Recite the Holy Qur'an for it will come as an intercessor for its reciter on the Day of Judgement.

Allah Ta'ala says "If anyone of you find no time for my remembrance (Zikr) and for begging My favours due to remaining engaged in the recitation of the Qur'an , I shall give him more than what I give to all those who beg favours of Me." The superiority of the Word of Allah over all other words is like the superiority of Allah over the entire creation.

While reciting, you must reflect and comprehend; slow, melodious recitation will assist you in this. Feel in your heart the Magnitude of the Speaker (Transcendent and Exalted is He!) and that you are before Him, reciting His Book to Him, in which He addresses His commands, prohibitions, counsels and exhortations to you. When reading verses on unification and glorification be full of reverence and awe, when reading verses of promises and threats be full of hopeful expectation and apprehension, and when reading the commands and prohibitions be thankful, acknowledge your shortcomings, ask for forgiveness and determine to show ardour.

Virtues of reciting the Holy Qur'an, and certain of its Surahs and Verses :

The whole of Qur'an is Allah's Word and there is no such thing as one Surah (Chapter) being better than the other. All Qur'an is our Creator's guidelines and directives towards attaining Allah's Pleasure and Paradise and avoiding His Wrath and Punishment. But, our Lord has made some Surahs effective for certain situations, be it for protection from poverty, magic, or some evil in particular or general, to attain specific blessings, or to get Shifa (cure) from diseases. Given below is a list of some select Surahs for special times and needs:

1. Al-Fatiha
2. Al-Baqara
3. Al-Aal Imran
4. Al-Kahf  -  (see powerpoint clip HERE)
5. At-TaHa
6. As-Sajda
7. Al-Yaseen
8. Al-Fussilat
9. Ad-Dukhan
10. Al-Fat'h
11. Ar-Rahman
12. Al-Waqi'a
13. Al-Hadid
14. Al-Hashr
15. Al-Mulk
16. Al-Zalzala
17. Al-'Aadiyat
18. At-Takathur
19. Al-Kafiroon
20. Al-Ikhlas
21. Al-Falaq
22. An-Naas

Allah Ta’ala said: "When you read the holy Qur’an, seek Allah’s protection from Satan the rejected one" (16:89) Ao’dhu-billahi-minash-shaytaa-nir-rajeem (I take refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the rejected one) then say Bismillah….. and start reading.

*********************************************************************

Al-Fatihah  -  1

Al Fatihah - The Greatest Surah in the Qur'an

According to the prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم, Surah Al-Fatihah is considered as “the greatest Surah” of the Qur'an. The following provides information about this great Surah along with its many benefits and virtues including its use in healing.

1) The many names of Surah Al-Fatihah :

This chapter has a great many names, each one indicating a different aspect of its meaning. In the eyes of Arabs if a thing had many different names, this was an indication of its importance. The popular names of this Surah are the following:

1. Al-Fatihah – It is named Al-Fatihah, the Opening – because it opens the Book and by it the recitation in prayer commences.
2. Umm al-Qur'an – According to At-Tirmidhi on the authority of Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said, “The chapter commencing with] “All praises and thanks are due to Allah the Lord of the Worlds” is the Mother of the Qur'an, the Mother of the Book, the Seven Oft Repeated Verses and the Great Qur'an.” Ibn Jarir at-Tabari said that it was named so because the meaning of the entire Qur'an is summarized therein. The Arabs named anything that concisely summarizes something or comprises its most important part, Umm, or Mother.
3. Umm al-Kitab – Al-Bukhari said in the beginning of the Book of Tafsir in his Sahih: “It is named Umm al-Qur'an because it is the first chapter written in the Qur'anic texts and the recitation in prayer commences with it.”
4. Sab’ul-Mathani – It is also named Sab’ul-Mathani, the Seven Oft Repeated Verses, because they are frequently recited and indeed recited in every rakaah of the prayer. Allah says in the Qur'an:

“And indeed, We have bestowed upon you seven of Al-Mathani (the seven repeatedly recited Verses), (i.e. Surat Al-Fatiha) and the Grand Qur'an. [Qur'an: Surah Al-Hijr (87)]”

5.  Al-Hamd – It is also named Al-Hamd, the Praise, because it contains mention of hamd just as Al-Baqarah is named so because it contains mention of the cow. Some scholars also gave the reasoning that Al-Hamd comprises heart of Al-Fatihah.

6.  As-Salah – It is named the Prayer because its recitation is a condition for the validity of the prayer.

7.  Ash-Shifa – It is also named Ash-Shifa’, the Cure, due to what Ad-Darimi reports on the authority of Abu Sa’id that the Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said: “The Opening of the Book is a cure to every poison.”

8.  Ar-Ruqyah – It is also named Ar-Ruqya, the Spiritual Cure due to the hadith of Abu Sa’id reported by Bukhari that after he had recited it to cure a person who had been bitten by a scorpion, the Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم asked him, “…And what made you to know that it was a ruqya.”

9.  Asas al-Qur'an – Ash-Sha’bi records on the authority of Ibn Abbas that he named it , and that he said, “The foundation of Al-Fatihah is, “Bismillah…” (with the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful.)

Other scholars have also named it as : 

Al-Kanz - the Treasure 

Ash-Shukr - the Gratitude 

Ad-Dua - the Supplication

Ash-Shafiya - the Healing

Al-Kafiya - the Sufficient 

Al-Wafiya - the Fulfillment and more.

2) Revelation of Surah Al-Fatihah :

It was revealed in Mecca as stated by Ibn Abbas, Qatadah and Abu’l-Aliyah.

It is also postulated that it was revealed in Madinah as stated by Abu Hurayrah, Mujahid, ‘Ata ibn Yasar and Az-Zuhri. It is also said that it was revealed on two separate occasions – once in Makkah and once in Madinah. However the first opinion is the most likely due to Allah’s saying,

“We have sent to you the Seven Oft Repeated Verses.” [Al-Hijr 15:87]

This verse was revealed in Makkah by agreement of the exegeses.

3) The Ruling of Reciting Al-Fatihah in Prayer :

The opinion of the majority of the scholars, amongst them Malik, Ash-Shafi’i and Ahmad, is that it is obligatory to recite Al-Fatihah in the prayer and that the prayer is invalid without it. Their opinion is based upon many proofs; from amongst them, the sayings of the Prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم, who said that “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.”

Narrated ‘Ubâdah bin As-Sâmit that Allâh’s Messenger صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said,

“Whoever does not recite Sûrat Al-Fâtihah in his prayer, his prayer is invalid." (Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.1, Hadîth No. 723).

However, Abu Hanifa and some others had differing opinions on this. In the case where one is a follower in a congregational prayer then the scholars fell into three opinions with regards to his reciting Al-Fatiha :

1. It is obligatory upon him to recite it in all prayers.

2. It is upon him not to recite it in all prayers.

3. He should recite it in those prayers in which the recitation is silent, but not in those prayers in which the recitation is loud.

4) Composition of Surah Al-Fatihah :

It consists of seven verses and there is no difference of opinions concerning this.

Scholars have differed concerning the statement “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem” (In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful). The majority of the reciters of Kufa postulate that the “verse of Bismillah” comprises an independent verse of Al-Fatihah and this is also the opinion of a group of the Sahabah, Tabi’in and a large group of the later scholars. However the reciters and jurists of Madinah regard it to be part of a verse, and not an independent verse, or not a verse at all.

Those who postulate that “Bismillah” is not a verse of Al-Fatihah state that the seventh verse commences with the words, “not [the path] of those who have earned [Your] Anger … ” (This is because there is no disagreement that Surah Al-Fatihah has seven verses.)

5) Virtues of Surah Al-Fatihah :

There are a number of Ahadith explaining to us the great virtue of this Surah. They are summarized as follows:

1 - Allah responds to the believer when he recites Surah Al-Fatihah

Sahih Muslim records on the authority of Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه who said that the Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said,

“Allah, the Glorious and Exalted said, “I have divided the prayer between Myself and my servant equally and My servant shall be granted what he asked for.” Therefore, when the servant says, ‘All praises and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds’, Allah says, ‘My servant has praised Me.’ When he says,’The All-Merciful, the Most Merciful,’Allah says, ‘My servant has extolled Me.’ When he says, ‘Master of the Day of Judgment,’ Allah says, ‘My servant has glorified Me.’ When he says, ‘You Alone we worship and Your aid Alone do we seek,’ Allah says, ‘this is between Me and My servant and My servant shall have what he requested.’ When he says, ‘Guide us to the Straight Path, the Path of those whom You have favored, not [the path] of those who have earned [Your] anger, nor of those who have gone astray,’ Allah says, ‘this is for My servant and My servant shall have what he asked for.’ "

2 - “Mother of the Qur'an”

At-Tirmidhi records on the authority of Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه who said that the Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said,

[The chapter commencing with],”All praises and thanks are due to Allah the Lord of the worlds” is the Mother of the Qur'an, the Mother of the Book, the Seven Oft Repeated Verses and the Great Qur’an.”

3 - Unlike other revelations

Ahmad records on the authority of Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه who said (in part of the hadith) that “The Prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم called Ubayy ibn Ka’b and told him that,

“…Would you like me to teach you a Surah the likes of which is not to be found in the Tawrah, Injil, Zabur or the [rest of the] Qur'an?” He said, “Yes O Messenger of Allah”‘ The Prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said, ‘I hope that I will not leave this door until you know it.’

“Ubayy said, ‘Then he took hold of my hand and talked to me while I slowed down fearing that we may reach the door before he finished talking. When we did reach it I asked him, ‘What is the Surah you promised me, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, “What is the Surah you recite in prayer?” So I recited the Mother of the Qur'an upon which he said, ‘By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, Allah has not revealed the likes of it in the Torah, Injil, Zabur or the [rest of the] Qur'an. It is the Seven Oft-Repeated verses.’ "

4 - Greatest Surah of the Qur'an

Ahmad records on the authority of Abu Sa’ad ibn Al-Mu’alla who said (in part of the hadith) that the Prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said,

"…I will teach a Surah which is the greatest Surah in the Qur'an before you leave the Masjid.’ Then he took hold of my hand and when he intended to leave [the Masjid], I asked him, “Did you not say that you would teach me a Surah which is the greatest Surah in the Qur’an?” He replied, ‘Yes. It is [the Surah commencing with], “All praise and thanks are due to Allah.” It is the Seven Oft-Repeated verses and the Great Qur’an that has been given to me.’ "

5 - Surah Al-Fatihah part of the two lights given to the prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم

Sahih Muslim records on the authority of Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه who said,

"While the Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم was sitting with Jibril عليه السّلام he heard a creaking sound above him. Jibril عليه السّلامlooked up and said, "This is [the sound of] a gate that has been opened in heaven today and has never been previously opened.” Then an Angel descended through it and came to the Prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم and said, ‘Rejoice in the good news of two lights that have been given to you such as no prophet before you has been given. [They are] Surah Al-Fatihah and the concluding [two] verses of Surah Al-Baqarah. You will never recite a word from them without being given the blessings they contain.’"

6 - The Most Noble and excellent part of the Qur'an

An-Nisai records on the authority of Anas رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said,

“Should I not inform you of the most noble and excellent part of the Qur'an?” He then recited “All praise and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds”

Mujahid said, ‘When this chapter was revealed it bore down

heavily upon iblis and he let out a loud wail in lament…’

The Surah appears below in its entirety:

1) In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

2) All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists).

3) The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

4) The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)

5) You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).

6) Guide us to the Straight Way

7) The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray. 

********************************************************

Al-Baqarah - 2

Surah Al-Baqarah is the longest surah of the Qur'an and the prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّمhighlighted many of its benefits in general and some of its specific benefits. For example, the prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم told us that its recitation in a house keeps the Satan away. Abu Hurayrah reports that the Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said: “Do not make your houses like graves, for the Shaytan runs away from a house in which Surat al-Baqarah is recited” (narrated by Muslim, 780). As most of the spiritual ailments such as evil eye, jinn possession, and black magic are satanic in nature, keeping Satan away can also help both in the treatment of such conditions and as a preventive measure.

The Blessings of Aayat al-Kursi

Ayat-ul-Kursi is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqara and is related to Allah’s throne. This Qur'anic verse has many blessings and is used for ruqyah treatment, the treatment of evil eye, black magic, and also for general and comprehensive protection.

The blessings of this verse is apparent from this hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah. He said:

The Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم put me in charge of guarding the zakaah of Ramadaan. Someone came to me and started grabbing (taking illegally) handful of the food. I took hold of him and said, ‘I will take you to the Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم.’ He said, ‘I will teach you some words by means of which Allah will benefit you.’ I said, ‘What are they?’ He said, ‘When you go to your bed, recite this aayah: “Allah! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-Hayyul-Qayyoom (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists)…” [Surah al-Baqarah, 2:255]. Then Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no Shaytan (devil) will come near you until morning.’ The Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم asked me, ‘What did your prisoner do last night?’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, he taught me something, and claimed that Allah would benefit me by it.’ He said, ‘What was it?’ I said, ‘He taught me to recite Aayat al-Kursi when I go to bed, and said that no Shaytan would come near me until morning, and that Allah would appoint a guard for me who would stay with me.’ The prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said, ‘He told you the truth, although he is an inveterate liar. That was the Shaytan’ [narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3101; Muslim, 505].

The Blessings of Last Verses of Surah Al-Baqarah

The last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah are one of the most memorized and recited Qur'anic verses among Muslims and that is for a good reason. Consider the saying of the prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم about the last verses of the Surah.

“Whoever recites the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, it will suffice him’” (According to Abu Masood al-Ansaari and narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4723; Muslim, 807).

The Prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم also said the following:

“Allah inscribed a book two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, from which the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah were revealed. If they are recited for three nights, no Shaytan (devil) will remain in the house (narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2882).This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (1799).

285) The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), “We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers” – and they say, “We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all).”

286) Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. “Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maula (Patron, Supporter and Protector, etc.) and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”

********************************************************

Al-Aal Imran - 3

About the Last 10 Verses of Surah Aal-Imran

In a hadith that Ibn Marduwyah recorded, Ataa said, "I, Ibn Umar and Ubayd bin Umayr went to Aishah and entered her room, and there was a screen between us and her. She said, ‘O Ubayd! What prevents you from visiting us’ He said, `What the poet said, `Visit every once in a while, and you will be loved more.’ Ibn Umar said, `Tell us about the most unusual thing you witnessed from the Messenger of Allah.’ She cried and said, `All his matters were amazing. One night, he came close to me until his skin touched my skin and said, `Let me worship my Lord.’ I said, `By Allah I love your being close to me. I also love that you worship your Lord.’ He used the water and performed ablution, but did not use too much water. He then stood up in prayer and cried until his beard became wet. He prostrated and cried until he made the ground wet. He then laid down on his side and cried. When Bilal رضي الله عنه came to alert the Prophet for the Dawn prayer, he said, `O Messenger of Allah! What makes you cry, while Allah has forgiven you your previous and latter sins’. He صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said,

(O Bilal! What prevents me from crying, when this night, this Ayah was revealed to me)

“Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.” (Surah Aal-Imran:190)

He then said:

“Woe to he who recites it but does not contemplate it’s (meaning).”

About the term “Uli Al-baab” (men of understanding) in the verse, it refers to the intelligent and sound minds that contemplate about the true reality of things, unlike the deaf and mute who do not have sound comprehension. Allah said about the latter type in the Qur'an,

“And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse there from.” Surah Yusuf (105).

Allah then describes those who have good minds in the verse that follows in Surah Aal-Imran (191):

“Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created this without purpose, glory to You! Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.”

In a related authentic report that was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), that the prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم stayed one night with Maymoonah, the Mother of the Believers, who was his maternal aunt. He said: The Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم slept until halfway through the night, or just before or after that. The Messenger of Allah صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم then woke up and started wiping the sleep from his face with his hand. Then he recited the last ten verses of Surah Aal Imran, then he got up and went to a water skin that was hanging there, and did wudu (ablution) from it and did it well, then he stood and prayed.

Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “This indicates that it is mustahabb (desirable) to recite these (ten) verses when getting up from sleep.”

********************************************************

Al-Kahf - 18

Surah al Kahf is the 18th Surah of Qur'an and it tells the story of the believers in ancient time who when received the message of Truth accepted it. However, they were to face retaliation from the society they lived in and hence they had to flee from the city. They found protection in a cave where Allah Almighty gave them sleep that lasted for centuries and by then their whole city had converted into believers. This Surah gives the message that those who believe in Allah and ask for protection from Him, He gives them the best protection the likes of which the world has never seen. Besides this illuminating message, the Surah also comes with a variety of virtues as described in the hadith of Prophet Muhammad صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم. The lines below discuss those virtues.

Virtue # 1:

It is narrated by Abu Saeed al-Khurdi, who said:

“Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on the night of Jummah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (Kabah).” (al-Jaami)

This hadith goes on to show the power of the Surah when recited on Friday night. The hadith shows that the Surah brings light to the reader and the stretch of the light covers the area between Kabah and the reader, no matter how far away the reader is from the House of Allah. This stretch of light can be loosely considered as the light of blessings and mercy of Allah. Thus, by reciting the Surah on Friday night one can get hold of such magnanimous mercy and blessings.

Regarding the recitation of Surah al Kahf on Friday night, another hadith narrates:

“Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on the day of Jummah will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.” (al-Jaami)

Therefore, on Friday any time from before Fajr prayer until before Maghrib prayer, a Muslim must find time to sit down and read Surah al Kahf and become one of the blessed ones.

Virtue # 2:

Prophet Muhammad صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said:

“One who memorized the first ten verses of Surah al Kahf will be secure against the Dajjal (Anti-Christ).” (Muslim)

Dajjal is one of the prominent figures of end of times and he will bring destruction and havoc to mankind and the world. And because of his might, people with low and weak faith will turn towards him and gather with him. At that time those who believe will ask help from Allah Almighty to protect them against his destruction. Therefore, if one wishes to be safe during the time of such grave adversity and annihilation, then one should try to memorize the first ten verses of Surah al Kahf and try reciting them whenever the chance becomes available.

Hazrat Ibn Mardwiyah Al Daiyaa رضي الله عنه said that Prophet Muhammad صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said in a hadith:

“Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on yaumul Jummah, he is immune for 8 days from all fitnah that will happen. When the Dajjal comes out, he will be immune to him.”

Virtue # 3:

On the Authority of Hazrat Aisha رضي الله عنها; the Prophet صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم said:

“Shall I not inform you of a Surah which is so full of greatness it reaches between the heaven and earth and it has blessings written for it of similar proportions (from the sky to earth) whoever reads it on Yaumul Jummah is forgiven what occurred between that Jummah and the next, in addition to 3 days (i.e. 10 days in all) and whoever reads the last five ayat of it when he goes to sleep, Allah will send him that night what he wants. They said, Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: Sura As'habul Kahf.”

This hadith gives a variety of virtues of reading and reciting Surah al Kahf on the day of Jummah. The first virtue is that the person gets forgiven from one Friday to the next including the last three days as well. Meaning that by reading Surah al Kahf on Friday one gets to be free of sin for ten days. The second virtue described in the hadith is the granting of whatever a person wishes if he or she sleeps after reciting the last five verses of Surah al Kahf. Therefore, by reading Surah al Kahf on Friday nights and before going to sleep every night one gets the benefits of expatiating from sins as well as granting of wishes, therefore, every Muslim who is in need of these two virtues must make sure that they form the habit of reciting Surah al Kahf every night in general and on Friday nights in particular.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, Surah al Kahf is one of the renowned Surahs of Quran. Besides giving the message of Allah protecting those in miraculous ways who stick to righteousness and stay on the right path, the Surah also comes with a variety of virtues. It helps one expatiate from sins, gain blessings of Allah Almighty and prepare one’s self for the end of days. Therefore, every Muslim man and woman must try getting into the habit of reciting Surah al Kahf on regular basis.

Great instructive stories from Surah Al-Kahf :

Prophet Muhammad صلّی اللہ علیه وسلّم has informed Muslims of the several benefits of reciting Surah Al-Kahf every Friday. These benefits include receiving tranquility, a special light (Nur) for the whole week and protection from the misleading Fitnah (trial) of Dajjal.

However, weekly recitation of this Surah, with reflection upon its meanings and exegesis, unveils special lessons for our practical lives.

1) Cocooned in a cave, the young lads on monotheism:

The Surah starts with the true story of a few young men who decided to save their monotheistic faith and lives from persecution by their polytheistic society, by isolating themselves in a cave. They were sons of rich people, who relinquished lives of ease and luxury solely for the sake of following Tawheed.

Allah mentions their brave initiative in order to place a stamp of approval on their actions, and describes how he preserved them for many years in a state of deep slumber by making their ears deaf and the sun’s light rays bypass the entrance to their cave in order to avoid waking them up.

Thus, Allah covered them with His mercy and protected them from being found and killed by their idolatrous nation for their refusal to associate any partner with Allah and to worship any other besides Him. He did this by preserving their bodies with the sun and wind, stationing their dog at the cave’s entrance, turning their bodies on their right and on their left in their sleep, and filling the sight of them with so much awe that anyone who approached and saw them lying there would flee!

2) Wealth becomes woe: the conversing companions in the garden:

Following the incident of the young lads, Allah highlights the story of two companions, one of whom was blessed with a lush, profitable garden with springs that made him arrogant and boastful towards his poor companion, rejecting the idea that his possessions would ever

cease.

Allah narrates their conversation. The poorer companion tries to mend the polytheistic belief of his rich companion, who rejected the reality of the hereafter just because of his immense wealth and progeny in this world. This tale is truly an eye-opening reminder for anyone who has let his wealth and big family get to his head! In the end, Allah destroyed his garden and he was left turning his wrists in despair as all his fruit lay fallen around him. “Oh I wish I had not associated any partner with my Sustainer!” he said in despair.

3) Musa and Al-Khidr, a Prophet of Allah as a curious student of a patient teacher:

The inspiring story that unfolds next in Surah Al-Kahf tells us about the quest of Prophet Musaعليه السّلام for knowledge. Allah told him about a slave whom He had blessed with more knowledge, and showed him how to find him with the help of a fish. Prophet Musaعليه السّلام traveled far with his servant boy to find this man named Al-Khidrعليه السّلام.

When that finally happened, Prophet Musaعليه السّلام accompanied him as he went about performing certain actions that appeared to be not what they were actually intended to achieve. Losing patience thrice because of not being able to understand their motive, Al-Khidrعليه السّلام, who was carrying out Allah’s commands, explained why he had done them and that it was purely based on Allah’s revelation.

The most amazingly comforting of stories, this narrative about Prophet Musa’sعليه السّلام quest for knowledge, teaches even cursory readers of Surah Al-Kahf that Allah intends mercy and good for sincere and pious believers through events that outwardly appear to be to their detriment. For instance, the damage of the only means of livelihood for the needy fishermen; the death of a young son of righteous parents; and the covering up of a treasure belonging to orphan boys in a town of inhospitable people had hidden good for the people involved, but were apparently going against their favor in the short term.

Through this beautifully narrated story, not only does the reader learn the importance of patience in seeking knowledge from a learned teacher, but also the innate wisdom behind Allah’s decrees in our lives, the motives of which do not immediately foster themselves into reality for us to see.

4) Dhul Qarnain, the just and righteous conqueror:

The fourth story before the culminating verses of Surah Al-Kahf tells us about the conquests of Dhul Qarnain, a just and humble conqueror to whom Allah had given resources of every kind that he used to rule the earth and benefit others with: armies, might, power and dominion. He traveled far and wide on earth, subjugating nations and converting them to monotheism, or Tawheed.

Whenever he would conquer a nation, he would use their armies and wealth to travel ahead and conquer others. This way, he spread the word of Allah on the earth using his might, and when he was requested to block a gap in the mountains to restrain the corruptive Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog), he took no money offered for this task.

Rather, he only used the nation’s labor to build a barrier of iron heated up and covered with molten copper. After doing the nation this great favor, he still did not become arrogant; rather, he attributed it to Allah’s mercy, and reminded them that when Allah’s promise will come, He will crush the iron blockade to bits.

All four true stories narrated in Surah Al-Kahf are reminders to us that wealth, possessions, physical resources and knowledge are all from Allah, and can be a Fitnah for us, depending on how we use them. The real test is if we remain humble believers who fear and obey Allah and establish monotheistic creed despite having the means to go astray, follow our desires, or spread corruption in the earth. 

References: Tafsir Ibn Kathir

*********************************************************************

At-Ta Ha - 20

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that Allah’s 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, ‘Happy 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, “The greatest name of Allah, which if He is called by it, He responds, is in three surahs: Al-Baqarah, ‘al ‘Imran and Ta-Ha.” Hisham ibn Ammar, the khateeb of Damascus, said: “In Al-Baqarah, it is ‘Allah! There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exist’ [Al-Baraqah, 2: 255]. In ‘al ‘Imran it is ‘Alif. Laam. Meem. Allah! There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists’ ['al 'Imran, 3: 1-2]. And in Ta-Ha it is ‘And (all) faces shall be humbled before (Allah), the Ever- Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists’ [Ta-Ha, 20: 111].” [narrated in a marfu' report (one that is traced all the way back to the Prophet [salAllahu alayhi wasalam], Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir)]

*********************************************************************

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 Ma’dan (radiAllahu anhu) said, “Recite 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, ‘O’ My Lord, forgive him, for he often used to recite me.’ So the Lord Most High made it an intercessor for him and said, ‘Record for him a good deed and raise him a degree in place of every sin.”

Khalid (radiAllahu anhu) also said, “It will dispute on behalf of the one who recites it when he is in his grave saying, ‘O’ 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.’ 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.” 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 Qur’an.

*********************************************************************

Al-Ya Sin - 36

Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said ‘Everything has a heart and the heart of the Qur’an is Ya Sin. Anyone who reads it, God will write down for him ten readings of the Qur’an’ [at-Tirmidhi 2812/A & Dhahabi, Maqal]

The Prophet said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Yasin in the night seeking Allah’s pleasure, Allah would forgive him’ [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, ‘Whoever 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.’[Abu Ya'la reported it]

Ma’qil Ibn Yasar (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said ‘Whoever reads Ya Sin, seeking Allah’s pleasure, his past sins will be forgiven, so recite it over the dying among you’ [Bayhaqi]

*********************************************************************

Al-Fussilat - 41

The messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) said, ‘Everything has its fruit and benefits, and the fruit of the Qur’an 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 meadows of Paradise should recite these surahs’ [Al-Tadhkar Fi Afdal Al-Adhkar by Imam al-Qurtubi]

*********************************************************************

Ad-Dukhan - 44

Ibn Masud (radiAllahu anhu) said, ‘The ‘ha-meems’ are the embelishments of the Qur'an [Hakim, Dhahabi, Ibn Al Mundhir & Baihaqi]

The ‘ha-meems’ 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, ‘Whosoever recites Surah ad-Dukhan every night, seventy thousand angels will ask forgiveness for him’ [at-Tirmidhi]

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘Whoever 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.’ [Abu Ya'la 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 surahs’ [Al-Tadhkar Fi Afdal Al-Adhkar by Imam al-Qurtubi]

NB: The ‘ha-meems’ refer to the seven Surahs which have ha-meem at the start are: Surahs Ghafir / Al-Mu’min (40), Fussilat (or Ha-Meem) (41), Shura (42), Zukhruf (43),Dukhan (44), Jathiyah (45), Ahqaf (46)

*********************************************************************

Al Fat'h - 48

Umar (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘A Surah of the Qur’an was revealed to me tonight, indeed it is the dearest Surah to my heart, than anything under the sun’. Then the Prophet recited Surah al-Fath verses 1-5.

[Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61 #532]

*********************************************************************

Ar-Rahman - 55

Rasulullah sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam said: "For every thing a bride and the bride of the Holy Qur'an is the Most Forgiving Surah. 

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 ‘And which of the favours of the Lord will you deny’ the jinn would respond ‘There is nothing among your bounties that we can deny, all praise belong to Allah’ [Tirmidhi, Ibn al Mundhir, Al Adhama & Hakim 2/474]

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘Everything has an adornment, and the adornment of the Qur’an is Surah ar Rahman’ [Bayhaqi in Shuab al Eiman]

*********************************************************************

Al-Waqi'a - 56

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘Whoever recites surah al Waqiah at night would never encounter poverty’ Ibn as-Sunni 620, Bayhaqi]

The Prophet said, ‘Surah al Waqiah is the Surah of Wealth, so recite it and teach it to your children’ [Ibn Asakir]

*********************************************************************

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-Jum’ah and At-Tagabun

*********************************************************************
Al-Hashr - 59: 22-24

Whoever reads this in the morning, seventy thousand angels shall seek forgiveness for him till the evening and whoever so reads it in the evening then seventy thousand angels shall seek forgiveness for him till the morning and if he passes away then his death shall be recorded as that of a martyr.

*********************************************************************

Al-Mulk - 67

The Prophet said, ‘There is a surah in the Qur’an which is only thirty verses. It defended whoever recited it until it puts him into paradise’ 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, “The Qur’an contains a surah of thirty ayats which will intercede for a man until he is forgiven. It is: ‘Blessed be He who has the Kingdom in His Hand!’(67)” 

[Abu Dawud, Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1016]

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘Surah al Mulk is the protector from the torment of the grave’.

[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]

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘It is my desire/love that Surahtul Mulk should be in the heart of every Muslim’ [Hakim, al-Hisnul Haseen by the classical scholar Muhammad al-Jazri] 

Khalid bin Ma'dam (Tabi') said about surat Al Mulk and ‘As Sajda that these two surahs will fight for their reciter in the grave and will say, ‘O 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.’ [Mishkat al-Misbah] 

*********************************************************************

Al-Zalzalah - 99

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas and Anas Ibn Malik (radiAllahu anhum) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Zalzalah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur’an. Whoever recited surah al Kafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur’an’. 

[at-Tirmidhi 2818/A]

*********************************************************************

Al-Aadiyat - 100

The Prophet said, ‘Whoever recites Aadiyat his reward equals one half of the Qur’an’ 

[Hakim 1/566 & Tirmidhi 2894]

*********************************************************************

At-Takathur - 102

The Prophet said, ‘Whoever recited one thousand verses in one night would meet Allah with a smile on his face’. Someone said, ‘O Apostle, who can recite a thousand verses?’. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) then recited Surah at Takathur and then said, ‘By He in Whose hand my soul is, it is equal to a thousand verses’.

[Al Khatib in Al Muttafaq wal Muftaraq & Dailami in Fath al Qadir 5/487]

*********************************************************************

Al-Kaafirun - 109

The Prophet said, ‘Recite surah al Kafirun and then go to sleep after coming to its end, for it is a clearance from shirk’ [Abu Dawud 4396 & Hakim 1/565]

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas and Anas Ibn Malik (radiAllahu anhum) reported that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said ‘It is equivalent to a quarter of the Qur’an’.

[at-Tirmidhi, 2818/A].

Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu) reported that Allah’s messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Qul Huw Allahu Ahad” is equal to a third of the Qur’an and “Qul ya ayyuhal Kafirun” is equal to a fourth of the Qur’an.” 

[at-Tabarani, classed as Sahih]

*********************************************************************

Al-Nasr - 110

Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘It is equivalent to a fourth of the Qur’an.’ [at-Tirmidhi]

*********************************************************************

Al-Ikhlaas - 112

Anas mentioned that a man said to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam), ‘I really love this surah’. The Prophet replied, ‘And your love for it will enable you to enter paradise’ [at-Tirmidhi 2826/A, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1013]

AbuSa’id al-Khudri (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said about the surah, “Say: He is Allah, Absolute Oneness” (112), ‘By Him in Whose hand my soul is, it is equal to one third of the Qur’an!’ [Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61 #533, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1010]

“Qul Hu Allahu Ahad” is equal to a third of the Qur’an and “Qul ya ayyuhal Kafirun” is equal to a fourth of the Qur’an.” [at-Tabarani, classed as Sahih]

Mu’adh bin Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Whoever recites (Qul Hu Allahu Ahad) ten times, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.”

Abu Huraira (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that “Say: He is Allah, Absolute Oneness” is equal to a third of the Qur’an. [Muslim, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1012]

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas and Anas Ibn Malik (radiAllahu anhum) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur’an. Whoever recited surah al Kafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur’an’. 

[at-Tirmidhi 2818/A]

Anas (radhi Allah anhu) said: “When 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.” [Narrated by Baraa, Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to his Companions, “Are any of you unable to recite a third of the Qur’an in a night?” That was difficult for them and they said, “Which of us is able to do that, Messenger of Allah?” He said, “[The surah] ‘Say: He is Allah, Absolute Oneness, Allah, the Everlasting Sustainer of all’ (112) constitutes a third of the Qur’an.’”
[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, “If anyone recites two hundred times daily, Qul huwallahu ahad the sins of fifty years will be wiped out, unless he is in debt.” [at-Tirmidhi and Darami]. The latter version has ‘fifty times’ and he did not mention ‘unless he is in debt’

A’isha (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]

*********************************************************************

Al Muawwadathain : Al-Falaq - 113 & An-Nas - 114

The Prophet said, ‘O 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 surah’.

[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]

‘Uqba ibn ‘Amir reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Have you not seen the ayats sent down this night the like of which have never been seen before? ‘Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of Daybreak,’ and ‘Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.’” (113 & 114) [Muslim]

An-Nas - 114

A’isha (radiAllahu anha) reported that whenever the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) became sick, he would recite Mu’awwidhat (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]

‘Uqbah Ibn ‘Amir (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said ‘No seeker of refuge can seek refuge with anything like these two’ [abu Dawud]

********************************************************

O Allah grant us peace, O Allah save us from the fire of hell and the punishments of the grave by reading the Qur’aan, O Allah give us the true understanding of the Qur’aan, O Allah give us the ability to study the Qur’aan how it should be read and O Allah save us from the curse of the Qur’aan, O Allah accept the intercession of the Qur’aan on our behalf in the grave and in the hereafter and O Allah grant us paradise....

O Allah send our salutions to prophet Muhammed (SAS) O Allah accept this duaa.... Ameen Ameen Ameen!