Hadith 1009
Abu Sa'id Ar-Rafi' bin Al-Mu'alla (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
عن أبي سعيد رافع بن المعلى رضي الله عنه قال : قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم :"ألا أعلمك أعظم سورة في القرآن قبل أن تخرج من المسجد؟ فأخذ بيدي ، فلما أردنا أن نخرج قلت : يا رسول الله إنك قلت لأعلمنك أعظم سورة في القرآن ؟ قال: "الحمد لله رب العالمين هي السبع المثاني، والقرآن العظيم الذي أوتيته ". ((رواه البخاري)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Shall I teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur'an before you leave the mosque?" Then he (ﷺ), 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 Qur'an. He (ﷺ) said, "It 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 Qur'an which is given to me." [Al-Bukhari].
In plain words
The Prophet pointed to Surat Al-Fatihah as the greatest surah in the Qur'an, also called the seven oft-repeated verses, highlighting its special weight.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1009 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 19
Hadith 1010
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported about Surat Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112):
وعن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال في:{ قل هو الله أحد} :" والذي نفسي بيده، إنها لتعدل ثلث القرآن". وفي رواية: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لأصحابه:" أيعجز أحدكم أن يقرأ بثلث القرآن في ليلة" فشق ذلك عليهم، وقالوا: أينا يطيق ذلك يارسول الله: فقال :" {قل هو الله أحد} ثلث القرآن.". (( رواه البخاري)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, it is equivalent to one-third of the Qur'an." According to another version, he (ﷺ) said to his Companions, "Is anyone of you incapable of reciting one-third of the Qur'an in one night?" They considered it burdensome and said: "O Messenger of Allah, which of us can afford to do that?" He (ﷺ) said, "Surat Al-Ikhlas [Say: He is Allah (the) One] is equivalent to one-third of the Qur'an." [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
Reciting this short surah carries the reward of a third of the Qur'an, so even busy people can gain much through it in a little time.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1010 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 20
Hadith 1011
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه أن رجل سمع رجلاً يقرأ:{قل هو الله احد} يرددها فلما أصبح جاء إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فذكر ذلك له وكان الرجل يتقالها فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " والذي نفسي بيده، إنها لتعدل ثلث القرآن" . ((رواه البخاري )).
A man heard another reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas repeatedly. The next morning he came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and informed him about it as if he considered it to be of little reward. On that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, this Surah is equal to one-third of the Qur'an." [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
What seemed like a small act, repeating this short surah, is in fact great, equal in reward to a third of the Qur'an.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1011 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 21
Hadith 1012
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال في:{ قل هو الله أحد} "إنها تعدل ثلث القرآن" .(( رواه مسلم )).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Surat Ikhlas is equivalent to one-third of the Qur'an." [Muslim].
In plain words
A brief reminder that this short surah is equal in reward to a third of the Qur'an.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1012 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 22
Hadith 1013
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه أن رجلا قال: يارسول الله إني أحب هذه السورة "قل هو الله أحد":"إن حبها أدخلك الجنة" ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن- رواه البخاري في صحيحه تعليقًا)).
A man said: "O Messenger of Allah! I love Surat-Al-Ikhlas [Say: He is Allah, (the) One]." He (ﷺ) said, "Your love for it will admit you to Jannah." [At-Tirmidhi].
In plain words
A man's heartfelt love for this surah was met with the promise that this very love would lead him into Paradise.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1013 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 23
Hadith 1014
'Uqbah bin 'Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عقبة بن عامر رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : " ألم ترَ آيات أنزلت هذه الليلة لم يرَ مثلهن قط ؟ قل أعوذ برب الفلق، وقل أعوذ برب الناس " .((رواه مسلم)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Do you not know that last night certain Ayat were revealed the like of which there is no precedence. They are: 'Say: I seek refuge with (Allah) the Rubb of the daybreak' (Surah 113), and 'Say: I seek refuge with (Allah) the Rubb of mankind' (Surah 114)." [Muslim].
In plain words
These two surahs of seeking refuge are described as unmatched, given for the believer's protection.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1014 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 24
Hadith 1015
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال : كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يتعوذ من الجان، وعين الإنسان، حتى نزلت المعوذتان، فلما نزلتا، أخذ بهما وترك ما سواهما . ((رواه الترمذي وقال :حديث حسن )).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to seek protection against the evil of jinn and the evil eyes till Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas were revealed. After they were revealed, he took to them for seeking Allah's protection and left everything besides them. [At- Tirmidhi].
In plain words
The Prophet relied on these two surahs for seeking Allah's protection once they were revealed, showing them as a trusted means of refuge.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1015 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 25
Hadith 1016
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال :" من القرآن سورة ثلاثون آية شفعت لرجل حتى غفرت له ،وهي: تبارك الذي بيده الملك ". ((رواه أبو داود والترمذي وقال :" حديث حسن ، وفي رواية أبي داود: "تشفع ")).
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "There is a Surah in the Qur'an which contains thirty Ayat which kept interceding for a man until his sins are forgiven. This Surah is 'Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion.' (Surat Al-Mulk 67)." [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].
In plain words
This surah of thirty verses keeps pleading for the person who reads it until he is forgiven, showing the value of keeping it on your tongue.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1016 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 26
Hadith 1017
Abu Mas'ud Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي مسعود البدري رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : " من قرأ بالآيتين من آخر سورة البقرة في ليلة كفتاه " ((متفق عليه)).
I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "He who recites the two Ayat at the end of Surat Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Reciting these two closing verses of Al-Baqarah at night is enough for the one who reads them, a simple nightly practice with great benefit.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1017 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 27
Hadith 1018
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : " لا تجعلوا بيوتكم مقابر، إن الشيطان ينفر من البيت الذي تقرأ فيه سورة البقرة" ((رواه مسلم)).
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: "Do not turn your houses into graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited." [Muslim].
In plain words
Don't let your homes go spiritually empty like graves; filling them with recitation of this surah keeps Satan away.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1018 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 28
Hadith 1019
Ubayy bin Ka'b (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي بن كعب رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم :" يا أبا المنذر أتدري أي آية من كتاب الله معك أعظم ؟ قلت: الله لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم، فضرب في صدري وقال :" ليهنك العلم أبا المنذر". ((رواه مسلم )).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Abu Mundhir! Do you know which Ayah in Allah's Book is the greatest?" I replied: "It is 'Allah la ilaha illa Huwal-Haiyul-Qayum (Allah! none has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living...)'." (:256) Thereupon he (ﷺ) patted me in the chest and said, "Rejoice by this knowledge, O Abu Mundhir!" [Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet confirmed that Ayat al-Kursi is the greatest verse in Allah's Book and was glad his companion knew it, pointing us to its immense worth.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1019 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 29
Hadith 1020
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: وكلني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بحفظ زكاة رمضان، فأتاني آتٍ، فجعل يحثو من الطعام، فأخذته فقلت: لأرفعنك إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إني محتاج، وعلي عيال، وبي حاجة شديدة، فخليت عنه، فأصبحت، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم :" يا أبا هريرة، ما فعل أسيرك البارحة؟" قلت: يا رسول الله شكا حاجة وعيالا، فرحمته، فخليت سبيله. فقال: " أما إنه قد كذبك وسيعود" فعرفت أنه سيعود لقول رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فرصدته، فجاء يحثو من الطعام، فقلت: لأرفعنك إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: دعني فإني محتاج، وعلي عيال لا أعود، فرحمته فخليت سبيله، فأصبحت فقال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "يا أبا هريرة، ما فعل أسيرك البارحة؟" قلت: يا رسول الله شكا حاجة وعيالا فرحمته، فخليت سبيله، فقال: "إنه قد كذبك وسيعود" فرصدته الثالثة. فجاء يحثو من الطعام، فأخذته، فقلت: لأرفعنك إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وهذا آخر ثلاث أنك تزعم أنك لا تعود، ثم تعود! فقال: دعني فإني أعلمك كلمات ينفعك الله بها، قلت: ما هن؟ قال: إذا أويت إلى فراشك فاقرأ آية الكرسي، فإنه لن يزال عليك من الله حافظ، ولا يقربك شيطان حتى تصبح، فخليت سبيله فأصبحت، فقال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "ما فعل أسيرك البارحة؟ " قلت: يا رسول الله زعم أنه يعلمني كلمات ينفعني الله بها، فخليت سبيله. قال: "ما هي؟" قلت: قال لي: إذا أويت إلى فراشك فاقرأ آية الكرسي من أولها حتى تختم الآية: {الله لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم} وقال لي: لا يزال عليك من الله حافظ، ولن يقربك شيطان حتى تصبح، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "أما إنه قد صدقك وهو كذوب، تعلم من تخاطب منذ ثلاث يا أبا هريرة " ؟ قلت: لا، قال: "ذاك شيطان" ((رواه البخاري)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) put me in charge of charity of Ramadan (Sadaqat-ul- Fitr). Somebody came to me and began to take away some food-stuff. I caught him and said, "I must take you to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)." He said, "I am a needy man with a large family, and so I have a pressing need." I let him go. When I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) next morning, he asked me, "O Abu Hurairah! What did your captive do last night?" I said, "O Messenger of Allah! He complained of a pressing need and a big family. I felt pity for him so I let him go." He (ﷺ) said, "He told you a lie and he will return." I was sure, according to the saying of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) that he would return. I waited for him. He sneaked up again and began to steal food-stuff from the Sadaqah. I caught him and said; "I must take you to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)." He said, "Let go of me, I am a needy man. I have to bear the expenses of a big family. I will not come back." So I took pity on him and let him go. I went at dawn to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who asked me, "O Abu Hurairah! What did your captive do last night?" I replied, "O Messenger of Allah! He complained of a pressing want and the burden of a big family. I took pity on him and so I let him go." He (ﷺ) said, "He told you a lie and he will return." (That man) came again to steal the food-stuff. I arrested him and said, "I must take you to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and this is the last of three times. You promised that you would not come again but you did." He said, "Let go of me, I shall teach you some words with which Allah may benefit you." I asked, "What are those words?" He replied, "When you go to bed, recite Ayat-ul- Kursi (:255) for there will be a guardian appointed over you from Allah, and Satan will not be able to approach you till morning." So I let him go. Next morning the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked me, "What did your prisoner do last night." I answered, "He promised to teach me some words which he claimed will benefit me before Allah. So I let him go." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked, "What are those words that he taught you?" I said, "He told me: 'When you go to bed, recite Ayat- ul-Kursi from the beginning to the end i.e., [ Allah! none has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi encompasses the heavens and the earth, and preserving them does not fatigue Him. And He is the Most High, the Most Great].' (:255). He added: 'By reciting it, there will be a guardian appointed over you from Allah who will protect you during the night, and Satan will not be able to come near you until morning'." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Verily, he has told you the truth though he is a liar. O Abu Hurairah! Do you know with whom you were speaking for the last three nights?" I said, "No." He (ﷺ) said, "He was Shaitan (Satan)." [Al-Bukhari].
In plain words
Even a thief speaking the truth about reciting Ayat al-Kursi at bedtime turned out to be right: it brings Allah's protection through the night. The story shows truth can reach us from an unlikely source, yet it is the Prophet who confirms it.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1020 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 30
Hadith 1021
Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي الدرداء رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "من حفظ عشر آيات من أول سورة الكهف، عصم من الدجال" وفي رواية: "من آخر سورة الكهف" ((رواهما مسلم)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever commits to memory the first ten Ayat of the Surat Al-Kahf, will be protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist)." [Muslim]. In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "(Whoever commits to memory) the last ten Ayat of Surat Al-Kahf, he will be protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist)."
In plain words
Committing the opening (or in another report the closing) ten verses of Surat Al-Kahf to memory is named as protection from the trial of the Dajjal.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1021 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 31
Hadith 1022
Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
-وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: بينما جبريل عليه السلام قاعد عند النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم سمع نقيضًا من فوقه، فرفع رأسه فقال: "هذا باب من السماء فتح اليوم ولم يفتح قط إلا اليوم، فنزل منه ملك فقال: هذا ملك نزل إلى الأرض لم ينزل قط إلا اليوم، فسلم وقال: أبشر بنورين أوتيتهما، لم يؤتهما نبي قبلك: فاتحة الكتاب، وخواتيم سورة البقرة، لن تقرأ بحرف منها إلا أعطيته" ((رواه مسلم)). النقيض: الصوت.
While Jibril (Gabriel) 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: Fatihah-til-Kitab (Surat Al-Fatihah), and the concluding Ayat of Surat Al-Baqarah. You will never recite a word from them without being given the blessings it contain s." [Muslim].
In plain words
Al-Fatihah and the closing verses of Al-Baqarah are described as two lights given uniquely to this community, and reciting any part of them brings the blessing they carry.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1022 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 32