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Chapter 1

Virtues of the Quran — Special Virtues of the Qur'an's Chapters and Verses

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Read Virtues of the Quran, Chapter 1: Special Virtues of the Qur'an's Chapters and Verses. This chapter contains 92 source records. Open a narration to see its permanent reference, available translations and source information.

Collection history and compiler biographySources and methodology

Hadith 2
Sunan an-Nasāʾī al-Kubrā 8011, Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 774, and Mustadrak al-Ḥākim 2056 with slight variations

كان النَّبيُّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم في مسيرٍ فنزل ونزل رجلٌ إلى جانبِه قال فالتفت النَّبيُّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم فقال ألا أخبِرُك بأفضلِ القرآنِ قال بلى فتلا { الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ}. Grade: Sahih

Anas bin Mālik reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was heading somewhere and a man came to his side, so the Prophet ﷺ turned to him and said, “Shall I not inform you about the greatest (part) of the Quran? The man said, “Yes.” So he (the Prophet ﷺ) recited, Alhamdu lillāhi Rabbil ‘Ālameen (i.e., Sūrah Al-Fātiḥah).

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مَا أُنْزِلَ فِي الكُتُبِ السَّابِقَةِ ولَا إلى الرُّسُلِ والنَّبِيِّينَ مِنْ قَبْلُ مِثْلَ سُورَةِ الفَاتِحَةِ It was narrated that Ubayy bin Ka’b said, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, Allah did not reveal in the Tawrāh or the Injīl anything like Umm al-Quran (al-Fātiḥah), which is the seven oft-recited (verses), and (Allah said) it is divided between Myself and My slave will have what he asked for.” Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3125 عَنْ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَلاَ فِي الإِنْجِيلِ مِثْلَ أُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ وَهِيَ السَّبْعُ الْمَثَانِي وَهِيَ مَقْسُومَةٌ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ"‏ .

Nothing similar to Sūrah al-Fātiḥah was ever revealed in any of the previous scriptures or to the previous prophets and messengers.

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Hadith 4
Sahih Muslim 806

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ بَيْنَمَا جِبْرِيلُ قَاعِدٌ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَمِعَ نَقِيضًا مِنْ فَوْقِهِ فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَقَالَ هَذَا بَابٌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فُتِحَ الْيَوْمَ لَمْ يُفْتَحْ قَطُّ إِلاَّ الْيَوْمَ فَنَزَلَ مِنْهُ مَلَكٌ فَقَالَ هَذَا مَلَكٌ نَزَلَ إِلَى الأَرْضِ لَمْ يَنْزِلْ قَطُّ إِلاَّ الْيَوْمَ فَسَلَّمَ وَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ بِنُورَيْنِ أُوتِيتَهُمَا لَمْ يُؤْتَهُمَا نَبِيٌّ قَبْلَكَ فَاتِحَةُ الْكِتَابِ وَخَوَاتِيمُ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ لَنْ تَقْرَأَ بِحَرْفٍ مِنْهُمَا إِلاَّ أُعْطِيتَهُ ‏.‏

Abdullāh b. Abbās reported that while Angel Jibreel was sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he heard a sound above him. He lifted his head, and said, “This is a gate which has been opened in heaven today. It was never opened before.” Then an Angel descended through it, he said, “This is an Angel who has come down to earth He never came down before.” He sent greetings and said, “Rejoice with two lights given to you. Such lights were not given to any Prophet before you. These (lights) are: Fātiḥatul-Kitāb (Sūrah al-Fātiḥah), and the concluding (Āyāt) of Sūrah Al-Baqarah. You will never recite a word from them without being granted (your du’ā).”

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لَا صَلَاةَ لِمَن لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِسُورَةِ الْفَاتِحَةِ The Prophet is reported to have said, “The prayer is not valid for the one who does not recite the Fātiḥah (opening chapter) of the Book.” Reference: Sahih Muslim 394 عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، يَبْلُغُ بِهِ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ ‏" ‏.

No Ṣalāh (prayer) is valid without reciting Sūrah al-Fātiḥah

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Hadith 6
Sahih Muslim 395

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ مَنْ صَلَّى صَلاَةً لَمْ يَقْرَأْ فِيهَا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ فَهْىَ خِدَاجٌ – ثَلاَثًا – غَيْرُ تَمَامٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقِيلَ لأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ إِنَّا نَكُونُ وَرَاءَ الإِمَامِ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ اقْرَأْ بِهَا فِي نَفْسِكَ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى قَسَمْتُ الصَّلاَةَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي نِصْفَيْنِ وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ فَإِذَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ (‏ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ‏)‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى حَمِدَنِي عَبْدِي وَإِذَا قَالَ (‏ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ‏)‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَثْنَى عَلَىَّ عَبْدِي ‏.‏ وَإِذَا قَالَ (‏ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ‏)‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ مَجَّدَنِي عَبْدِي – وَقَالَ مَرَّةً فَوَّضَ إِلَىَّ عَبْدِي – فَإِذَا قَالَ (‏ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ‏)‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ هَذَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ ‏.‏ فَإِذَا قَالَ (‏ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ * صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ‏)‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ هَذَا لِعَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: If anyone observes prayer in which he does not recite Umm al-Qur’an (i.e., Al-Fātiḥah), it is deficient [he said this three times] and incomplete. It was said to Abu Hurayraa: At times we are behind the Imam. He said: Recite it inwardly, for he had heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) declare that Allah the Exalted had said: I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. And when he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me. And sometimes He would say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. And when he (the worshipper) says: You do we worship and of You do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us along the straight path, the path of those to whom You have been Gracious, not of those who have incurred Your displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.

Abu Hurayrah

سُورَةُ الْفَاتِحَةِ شِفَاءٌ ودَوَاءٌ لِلْأَمْرَاضِ Abu Sa’īd al-Khudrī said, “Some of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ went on a journey. They alighted with a certain clan of the Arabs. Someone of them said, “Our chief has been stung by a scorpion or bitten by a snake. Has any of you something which gives relief to our chief?” A man of the people said, “Yes, I swear by Allah. I can recite an invocation, but we asked you for hospitality and you denied it to us. I shall not recite the invocation until you give me some payment.” So, they promised to give some sheep to him. He came to him and recited Sūrah al-Fātiḥah over him and blew (upon him) till he was cured, and he seemed as if he were set free from a bond. So, they gave him the payment that was agreed between them. They said, “Distribute it.” The man who applied the treatment said, “Do not do it until we approach the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” And He ﷺ said, “From where did you learn that it was a treatment? You have done right. Apportion them, and give me a share along with you.” Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5007 عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، قَالَ كُنَّا فِي مَسِيرٍ لَنَا فَنَزَلْنَا فَجَاءَتْ جَارِيَةٌ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ سَيِّدَ الْحَىِّ سَلِيمٌ، وَإِنَّ نَفَرَنَا غُيَّبٌ فَهَلْ مِنْكُمْ رَاقٍ فَقَامَ مَعَهَا رَجُلٌ مَا كُنَّا نَأْبُنُهُ بِرُقْيَةٍ فَرَقَاهُ فَبَرَأَ فَأَمَرَ لَهُ بِثَلاَثِينَ شَاةً وَسَقَانَا لَبَنًا فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ قُلْنَا لَهُ أَكُنْتَ تُحْسِنُ رُقْيَةً أَوْ كُنْتَ تَرْقِي قَالَ لاَ مَا رَقَيْتُ إِلاَّ بِأُمِّ الْكِتَابِ‏.‏ قُلْنَا لاَ تُحْدِثُوا شَيْئًا حَتَّى نَأْتِيَ ـ أَوْ نَسْأَلَ ـ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ ذَكَرْنَاهُ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ وَمَا كَانَ يُدْرِيهِ أَنَّهَا رُقْيَةٌ اقْسِمُوا وَاضْرِبُوا لِي بِسَهْمٍ ‏"‏‏.‏

Sūrah al-Fātiḥah is a cure and treatment for illnesses

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سُورَةُ الْبَقَرَةِ Sūrat al-Baqarah is the longest chapter of the Qur’an, and its recitation and implementation are linked with numerous blessings of great proportions. The one who takes this sūrah as a companion will find increased barakah (blessings) in life, protection from evil, a pathway to paradise, abundant good deeds, a healing and a cure, increased acceptance of one’s du’ā, tranquility and peace, and a source of protection and intercession in the afterlife. Sūrat al-Baqarah, which was revealed in Madīnah, contains the greatest and most powerful āyah to be revealed, the final verse to be revealed, the longest āyah of the Qur’an, two verses that were revealed from beneath the Throne during al-Isrā wal-Mi’rāj (the night journey and ascension to heaven),4 references to Allah ﷻ in over one-hundred āyāt, numerous historical incidents and stories of the prophets, explicit references to five of the six pillars of Īmān, and Islamic laws (aḥkām) utilized in everyday life on an individual, family, and societal level. Protection and blessings in this life and the next الْحِفْظُ والْبَرَكَةُ فِي الدُّنْيَا والْآخِرَةِ Abu Umāmah said he heard Allah’s Messenger ﷺ say, “Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite it. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and Sūrah ale-Imran, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Sūrah al-Baqarah, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.” Reference: Sahih Muslim 804a عَنْ زَيْدٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا سَلاَّمٍ، يَقُولُ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو أُمَامَةَ، الْبَاهِلِيُّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ اقْرَءُوا الْقُرْآنَ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ شَفِيعًا لأَصْحَابِهِ اقْرَءُوا الزَّهْرَاوَيْنِ الْبَقَرَةَ وَسُورَةَ آلِ عِمْرَانَ فَإِنَّهُمَا تَأْتِيَانِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كَأَنَّهُمَا غَمَامَتَانِ أَوْ كَأَنَّهُمَا غَيَايَتَانِ أَوْ كَأَنَّهُمَا فِرْقَانِ مِنْ طَيْرٍ صَوَافَّ تُحَاجَّانِ عَنْ أَصْحَابِهِمَا اقْرَءُوا سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ فَإِنَّ أَخْذَهَا بَرَكَةٌ وَتَرْكَهَا حَسْرَةٌ وَلاَ تَسْتَطِيعُهَا الْبَطَلَةُ ‏".‏ ‏.

Sūrat al-Baqarah

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Hadith 9
Sahih Muslim 805

عَنْ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ نُفَيْرٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّوَّاسَ، بْنَ سَمْعَانَ الْكِلاَبِيَّ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ يُؤْتَى بِالْقُرْآنِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَأَهْلِهِ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ بِهِ تَقْدُمُهُ سُورَةُ الْبَقَرَةِ وَآلُ عِمْرَانَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَضَرَبَ لَهُمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثَلاَثَةَ أَمْثَالٍ مَا نَسِيتُهُنَّ بَعْدُ قَالَ ‏"‏ كَأَنَّهُمَا غَمَامَتَانِ أَوْ ظُلَّتَانِ سَوْدَاوَانِ بَيْنَهُمَا شَرْقٌ أَوْ كَأَنَّهُمَا حِزْقَانِ مِنْ طَيْرٍ صَوَافَّ تُحَاجَّانِ عَنْ صَاحِبِهِمَا.

Al-Nawwās Ibn Sam’ān reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said “The Qur’an will be brought on the Day of Resurrection, along with its companions who used to act by it, at the front being Sūrah al-Baqarah and Al ‘Imran. He (the Messenger ﷺ) likened them (the two suwar) to three things which I did not forget. He said they will be like two clouds, or two black canopies with light between them, or like two flocks of birds in ranks pleading for one who recited them.

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Hadith 10
Sahih Muslim 780

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ تَجْعَلُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ مَقَابِرَ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْفِرُ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي تُقْرَأُ فِيهِ سُورَةُ الْبَقَرَةِ ".‏ ‏.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Do not turn your households into graveyards. Indeed, the devils flee from a household that has Sūrah al-Baqarah recited in it.”

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آيَةُ الْكُرْسِيّ Ubayy b. Ka’b said: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: O Abu' al-Mundhir, do you know the verse from the Book of Allah which, according to you, is the greatest? I said: Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) know best. He again said: Abu'l-Mundhir, do you know the verse from the Book of Allah which, according to you, is the greatest? I said: Allah, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal. Thereupon he touched me on my chest and said: May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abu'l-Mundhir!” Reference: Sahih Muslim 810 عَنْ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ يَا أَبَا الْمُنْذِرِ أَتَدْرِي أَىُّ آيَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ مَعَكَ أَعْظَمُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ قُلْتُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ يَا أَبَا الْمُنْذِرِ أَتَدْرِي أَىُّ آيَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ مَعَكَ أَعْظَمُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ قُلْتُ اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَىُّ الْقَيُّومُ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَضَرَبَ فِي صَدْرِي وَقَالَ ‏"‏ وَاللَّهِ لِيَهْنِكَ الْعِلْمُ أَبَا الْمُنْذِرِ‏".‏

Āyat al-Kursī (The Verse of the Footstool)

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حِفْظٌ مِنَ الشَّيَاطِين Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported: Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ordered me to guard the Zakat revenue of Ramaḍān. Then somebody came to me and started stealing from the provisions. I caught him and said, "I will take you to Allah’s Messenger!" Then Abu Hurayrah described the whole incident and said: That person said (to me), "Please don’t take me to Allah’s Messenger and I will tell you a few words by which Allah will benefit you. When you go to your bed, recite Āyat al-Kursī, for then there will be (with you) a guardian from Allah who will protect you all night long, and Satan will not be able to come near you till dawn." When the Prophet ﷺ heard about the incident he said (to me), "He (who came to you at night) told you the truth although he is a liar; it was a devil." Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5010 عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ وَكَّلَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِحِفْظِ زَكَاةِ رَمَضَانَ فَأَتَانِي آتٍ فَجَعَلَ يَحْثُو مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَأَخَذْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لأَرْفَعَنَّكَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَصَّ الْحَدِيثَ فَقَالَ إِذَا أَوَيْتَ إِلَى فِرَاشِكَ فَاقْرَأْ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ لَنْ يَزَالَ مَعَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ حَافِظٌ وَلاَ يَقْرَبُكَ شَيْطَانٌ حَتَّى تُصْبِحَ‏.‏ وَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ صَدَقَكَ وَهْوَ كَذُوبٌ ذَاكَ شَيْطَانٌ ‏"‏‏.‏

Protection from the devils

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ضَمَانٌ بالْجَنَّةِ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever reads Āyatul Kursī at the end of (after) each mandatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering paradise except death.” Reference: Sunan an-Nasāʾī al-Kubrā, no. 9848, and al-Ṭabarānī, no. 7532. وَعَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏- مَنْ قَرَأَ آيَةَ اَلْكُرْسِيِّ دُبُرَ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ مَكْتُوبَةٍ لَمْ يَمْنَعْهُ مِنْ دُخُولِ اَلْجَنَّةِ إِلَّا اَلْمَوْتُ.

A guarantee of paradise

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آخِرُ آيَتَيْنِ مِنْ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ Abdullah b. Masʿūd (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever reads the last two verses from Sūrat al-Baqarah at night, they will be sufficient for him.” Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5009 Regarding the word ‘sufficient’ in the hadith, Imam al-Nawawi (RA) says: It was said (by scholars) that it means it will suffice him from the night prayer, and others said it means as a protection against the devils, and yet others said it means protection against harmful animals, and it is likely encompassing of all these things (and more).” Ibn Ḥajar states: “[It] was explicitly reported by ʿĀsim from ʿAlqamah from Ibn Masʿūd, “Whoever recites (the two verses at) the end of Sūrat al-Baqarah, it will be sufficient for him instead of standing in prayer for one night.” عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ قَرَأَ بِالآيَتَيْنِ مِنْ آخِرِ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ فِي لَيْلَةٍ كَفَتَاهُ‏ "‏‏.‏

The last two verses of Sūrat al-Baqarah guarantee sufficiency

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Hadith 15
Sahih Muslim 173

عَنْ طَلْحَةَ، عَنْ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم انْتُهِيَ بِهِ إِلَى سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَى وَهِيَ فِي السَّمَاءِ السَّادِسَةِ إِلَيْهَا يَنْتَهِي مَا يُعْرَجُ بِهِ مِنَ الأَرْضِ فَيُقْبَضُ مِنْهَا وَإِلَيْهَا يَنْتَهِي مَا يُهْبَطُ بِهِ مِنْ فَوْقِهَا فَيُقْبَضُ مِنْهَا قَالَ ‏{‏ إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَى‏}‏ قَالَ فَرَاشٌ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَأُعْطِيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثَلاَثًا أُعْطِيَ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسَ وَأُعْطِيَ خَوَاتِيمَ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ وَغُفِرَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ أُمَّتِهِ شَيْئًا الْمُقْحِمَاتُ ‏.

A Gift During the Night Journey It is narrated on the authority of Abdullaah (b. Umar) that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was taken for the Night (mi’rāj) journey, he was taken to Sidrat al-Muntaha, which is situated on the sixth heaven, where terminates everything that ascends from the earth and is held there, and where terminates everything that descends from above it and is held there. (It is with reference to this that) Allah said (in the meaning of), “while the Lote Tree was overwhelmed with ˹heavenly˺ splendours” (53:16). The narrator said: (It was) gold moths. He also said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was given three things: “He was given the five daily prayers, he was given the concluding verses of Sūrah al-Baqarah (i.e., 285-286), and forgiveness of serious sins for those among his Ummah who do not associate partners with Allah.”

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أَلْفَا عَامٍ قَبْلَ خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ والْأَرْضِ An-Nu’mān bin Basheer reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah inscribed a book two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, from which the last two verses of Sūrat al-Baqarah were revealed. If they are recited for three nights in a home, no devil will come near it.” Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2882 عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ "إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ كِتَابًا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ بِأَلْفَىْ عَامٍ أَنْزَلَ مِنْهُ آيَتَيْنِ خَتَمَ بِهِمَا سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ وَلاَ يُقْرَآنِ فِي دَارٍ ثَلاَثَ لَيَالٍ فَيَقْرَبُهَا شَيْطَانٌ ".‏

2000 years before the creation of the heavens and the earth

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Hadith 17
Sunan al-Dārimī 3289

عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاق ، عَمَّنْ سَمِعَ عَلِيًّا ، يَقُولُ :" مَا كُنْتُ أَرَى أَنَّ أَحَدًا يَعْقِلُ يَنَامُ، حَتَّى يَقْرَأَ هَؤُلَاءِ الْآيَاتِ مِنْ آخِرِ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ ، وَإِنَّهُنَّ لَمِنْ كَنْزٍ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ.

It was narrated that ʿAlī said, “I did not think that any reasonable person could sleep without reciting the last verses of Sūrat al-Baqarah, and they are indeed treasures from beneath the Throne.”

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اسْمُ اللهِ الْأَعْظَمُ Abu Umāmah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah’s Most Magnificent name, which when used to implore Him, He responds, is found in three suwar: Al-Baqarah, Āl-Imran, and Tāha (meaning Al-Hayy al-Qayyoom).” Reference: Sunan ibn Majah 3856. Al-Tabarāni 7925, Al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah 746. اسْمُ اللهِ الأعْظَمُ الذي إذا دُعِيَ بهِ أجابَ ؛ في ثلاثِ سُوَرٍ من القُرآنِ : في ( البَقرةِ ) و( آلِ عِمْرانَ )، و( طه ).

The Greatest Name of Allah

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سَنَامُ الْقُرْآنِ Abdullāh b. Masʿūd said, “Everything has a peak (i.e., pinnacle) and the peak of the Qur’an is al-Baqarah.” Reference: Sunan ad-Darimi 2179. Al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah, 135/2. وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: إِنَّ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ سَنَامًا وَإِنَّ سَنَامَ الْقُرْآنِ سُورَةُ الْبَقَرَةِ.

The sanām (peak) of the Qur’an

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الْآيَةُ الَّتِي تُتْلَى بَعْدَ الطَّوَافِ It was narrated from Jābir that the Messenger of Allah performed Tawaf, walking rapidly (raml) for three circuits, and walking at a normal pace for four. Then he recited: "And take you the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim as a place of prayer." And prayed two rakʿahs with the Maqam between him and the kaʿbah. Then he touched the Corner, then he went out and said: 'As-Safa and Al-Marwah are two of the symbols of Allah. We will start with that with which Allah started.'" Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 2962 أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم طَافَ سَبْعًا رَمَلَ ثَلاَثًا وَمَشَى أَرْبَعًا ثُمَّ قَرَأَ (‏ وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ‏)‏ فَصَلَّى سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَجَعَلَ الْمَقَامَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْكَعْبَةِ ثُمَّ اسْتَلَمَ الرُّكْنَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَابْدَءُوا بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ ‏".‏

The verse to be recited after ṭawāf (circuits around the kaʿbah)

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Hadith 21
Sunan an-Nasa'i 2970

عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي قَالَ، حَدَّثَنَا جَابِرٌ، قَالَ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى الصَّفَا وَقَالَ ‏"‏ نَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ‏"‏ (‏ إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ ‏)‏ ‏"‏.‏

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ went out to aṣ-Ṣafā and said. We will start with that with which Allah started. Then he recited the verse: 'Verily, (the hills of) aṣ-Ṣafā and Al-Marwah are of the symbols of Allah… (Al-Baqarah, 2:158)'"

Jābir

تَنْزِلُ السَّكِينَةُ عِنْدَ قِرَاءَتِهَا Usayd bin Hudayr reported: While he was reciting Sūrat Al-Baqarah at night, and his horse was tied beside him, the horse was suddenly startled and troubled. When he stopped reciting, the horse became quiet, and when he started reciting again, the horse was startled again. Then he stopped reciting and the horse became quiet too. He started reciting again and the horse was startled and troubled once again. Then he stopped reciting and his son, Yahya was beside the horse (in potential danger from the horse). He was afraid that the horse might trample on him. When he took the boy away and looked towards the sky, he could not see it. The next morning, he informed the Prophet who said, "Recite, O Ibn Hudayr! Recite, O Ibn Hudayr!" Ibn Hudayr replied, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! My son, Yahya was near the horse and I was afraid that it might trample on him, so I looked towards the sky, and went to him. When I looked at the sky, I saw something like a cloud containing what looked like lamps, so I went out in order not to see it." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do you know what that was?" Ibn Hudayr replied, "No." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Those were Angels who came near to you for your voice and if you had kept on reciting till dawn, it would have remained there till morning when people would have seen it as it would not have disappeared. Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5018 عَنْ أُسَيْدِ بْنِ حُضَيْرٍ، قَالَ بَيْنَمَا هُوَ يَقْرَأُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ وَفَرَسُهُ مَرْبُوطٌ عِنْدَهُ إِذْ جَالَتِ الْفَرَسُ فَسَكَتَ فَسَكَتَتْ فَقَرَأَ فَجَالَتِ الْفَرَسُ، فَسَكَتَ وَسَكَتَتِ الْفَرَسُ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ فَجَالَتِ الْفَرَسُ، فَانْصَرَفَ وَكَانَ ابْنُهُ يَحْيَى قَرِيبًا مِنْهَا فَأَشْفَقَ أَنْ تُصِيبَهُ فَلَمَّا اجْتَرَّهُ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ حَتَّى مَا يَرَاهَا فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ حَدَّثَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏"‏ اقْرَأْ يَا ابْنَ حُضَيْرٍ اقْرَأْ يَا ابْنَ حُضَيْرٍ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَشْفَقْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنْ تَطَأَ يَحْيَى وَكَانَ مِنْهَا قَرِيبًا فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فَانْصَرَفْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَإِذَا مِثْلُ الظُّلَّةِ فِيهَا أَمْثَالُ الْمَصَابِيحِ فَخَرَجَتْ حَتَّى لاَ أَرَاهَا‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ وَتَدْرِي مَا ذَاكَ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ لاَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ تِلْكَ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ دَنَتْ لِصَوْتِكَ وَلَوْ قَرَأْتَ لأَصْبَحَتْ يَنْظُرُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْهَا لاَ تَتَوَارَى مِنْهُمْ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ الْهَادِ وَحَدَّثَنِي هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ خَبَّابٍ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ عَنْ أُسَيْدِ بْنِ حُضَيْرٍ‏.‏

Tranquility descends upon its recitation

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سُورَةُ آلِ عِمْرَان Intercession and shade on the Day of Judgment شَفَاعَةٌ وَظِلٌّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ Abu Umāmah said he heard Allah’s Messenger ﷺ say, “Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite it. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and Sūrah ale-Imran, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Sūrah al-Baqarah, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.” Reference: Sahih Muslim 804 عَنْ زَيْدٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا سَلاَّمٍ، يَقُولُ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو أُمَامَةَ، الْبَاهِلِيُّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ اقْرَءُوا الْقُرْآنَ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ شَفِيعًا لأَصْحَابِهِ اقْرَءُوا الزَّهْرَاوَيْنِ الْبَقَرَةَ وَسُورَةَ آلِ عِمْرَانَ فَإِنَّهُمَا تَأْتِيَانِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كَأَنَّهُمَا غَمَامَتَانِ أَوْ كَأَنَّهُمَا غَيَايَتَانِ أَوْ كَأَنَّهُمَا فِرْقَانِ مِنْ طَيْرٍ صَوَافَّ تُحَاجَّانِ عَنْ أَصْحَابِهِمَا اقْرَءُوا سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ فَإِنَّ أَخْذَهَا بَرَكَةٌ وَتَرْكَهَا حَسْرَةٌ وَلاَ تَسْتَطِيعُهَا الْبَطَلَةُ ‏".‏ ‏.

Sūrat Āl-‘Imrān

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Hadith 24
Sahih Muslim 805

عَنْ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ نُفَيْرٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّوَّاسَ، بْنَ سَمْعَانَ الْكِلاَبِيَّ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ يُؤْتَى بِالْقُرْآنِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَأَهْلِهِ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ بِهِ تَقْدُمُهُ سُورَةُ الْبَقَرَةِ وَآلُ عِمْرَانَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَضَرَبَ لَهُمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثَلاَثَةَ أَمْثَالٍ مَا نَسِيتُهُنَّ بَعْدُ قَالَ ‏"‏ كَأَنَّهُمَا غَمَامَتَانِ أَوْ ظُلَّتَانِ سَوْدَاوَانِ بَيْنَهُمَا شَرْقٌ أَوْ كَأَنَّهُمَا حِزْقَانِ مِنْ طَيْرٍ صَوَافَّ تُحَاجَّانِ عَنْ صَاحِبِهِمَا.

Al-Nawwās Ibn Sam’ān reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said “The Qur’an will be brought on the Day of Resurrection, along with its companions who used to act by it, at the front being Sūrah al-Baqarah and Al ‘Imran. He (the Messenger ﷺ) likened them (the two suwar) to three things which I did not forget. He said they will be like two clouds, or two black canopies with light between them, or like two flocks of birds in ranks pleading for one who recited them.

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اسْمُ اللهِ الْأَعْظَمُ Abu Umāmah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah’s Most Magnificent name, which when used to implore Him, He responds, is found in three suwar: Al-Baqarah, Āl-Imran, and Tāha (meaning Al-Hayy al-Qayyoom).” Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3856; At-Tabarani 7925; As-Silsilah as-Sahihah 746. اسْمُ اللهِ الأعْظَمُ الذي إذا دُعِيَ بهِ أجابَ ؛ في ثلاثِ سُوَرٍ من القُرآنِ : في ( البَقرةِ ) و( آلِ عِمْرانَ )، و( طه ).

The Greatest Name of Allah

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آيَةٌ خَاصَّةٌ للتَّفَكُّرِ فِيهَا “…Ibn Umayr said (to Aishah): Tell us about the most interesting (or “amazing”) thing you have seen from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He said, she remained silent and then said: “On one night, the Messenger (ﷺ) said to me: “O Aishah, excuse me to worship my Lord on this night. I (Aishah) said: “By Allah, I love your companionship and I love what makes you happy. She said, he (the messenger ﷺ) stood and purified himself, then stood in prayer. She said, he began crying until his cheeks became wet, and (she said) he cried after that until his beard was wet, and (she said) he continued crying until the tears started to fall to the ground. At that moment, Bilāl (RA) came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to announce the Fajr prayer and he saw him crying. He said, “O Messenger of Allah, why are you crying? Indeed, Allah has forgiven your previous and future sins.” The Messenger replied, “Shall I not be a grateful servant? A verse has been revealed to me on this night, woe to the one who reads it and does not reflect upon it. He then read: “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” (3:190).” Reference: Sahih Ibn Hibban 620 عن إبراهيم بن سويد النخعي حدثنا عبد الملك بن أبي سليمان عن عطاء، قال: دخَلْتُ أنا وعُبيدُ بنُ عُميرٍ على عائشةَ فقالت لِعُبيدِ بنِ عُميرٍ : قد آن لك أنْ تزورَنا فقال : أقولُ يا أمَّهْ كما قال الأوَّلُ : زُرْ غِبًّا تزدَدْ حُبًّا قال : فقالت : دعُونا مِن رَطانتِكم هذه قال ابنُ عُميرٍ : أخبِرينا بأعجَبِ شيءٍ رأَيْتِه مِن رسولِ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم قال : فسكَتَتْ ثمَّ قالت : لَمَّا كان ليلةٌ مِن اللَّيالي قال : ( يا عائشةُ ذَرِيني أتعبَّدِ اللَّيلةَ لربِّي ) قُلْتُ : واللهِ إنِّي لَأُحِبُّ قُرْبَك وأُحِبُّ ما سرَّك قالت : فقام فتطهَّر ثمَّ قام يُصَلِّي قالت : فلم يزَلْ يبكي حتَّى بَلَّ حجرَه قالت : ثمَّ بكى فلم يزَلْ يبكي حتَّى بَلَّ لِحيتَه قالت : ثمَّ بكى فلم يزَلْ يبكي حتَّى بَلَّ الأرضَ فجاء بلالٌ يُؤذِنُه بالصَّلاةِ فلمَّا رآه يبكي قال : يا رسولَ اللهِ لِمَ تَبكي وقد غفَر اللهُ لك ما تقدَّم وما تأخَّر ؟ قال : ( أفلا أكونُ عبدًا شكورًا لقد نزَلَتْ علَيَّ اللَّيلةَ آيةٌ، ويلٌ لِمَن قرَأها ولم يتفكَّرْ فيها {إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ) [آل عمران: 190] ) الآيةَ كلَّها.

A Special Āyah to Reflect Upon

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