Excellence of Surah Ikhlaas

Excellence of Surah Ikhlaas

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Darda (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Can anyone of you recite one-third of the Holy Quran at night.  The companions said:  How can one-third of the Holy Quran be recited at night?  On this, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Reciting Surah Ikhlaas once is equal to reciting one-third of the Holy Quran (in terms of virtue and reward).  This is related by Muslim.  This is also related by Bukhari on the authority of Abu Sa’eed Khudri (May Allah be well pleased with him).

 

It is mentioned in this Hadith that reciting Surah Ikhlaas once is, in terms of virtue and reward, equal to recitation of one-third of the Holy Quran at night.  It is mentioned in Mirqaat that the sciences of the Holy Quran can be divided into 3 (broad) categories:  The Oneness of Allah Most High, the rules of the Shariah and the third is the reformation of the Self (Nafs).  Surah Ikhlaas is comprised of the first science of the Holy Quran – which is a base for the remaining 2.  For this reason, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said that (recitation of) Surah Ikhlaas is equal to (recitation of) one-third of the Holy Quran. 

 

Allah Most High likes the person who recites Surah Ikhlaas

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Aisha Siddiqua (May Allah be well pleased with her), she says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) appointed someone as a leader over an army.  He would also lead his companions in Salaat.  In every Salaat, he would end the recitation of the Holy Quran with Surah Ikhlaas only. 

 

When they returned, the Companions mentioned this to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Ask him why he does so.

 

When people asked him, he said:  This Surah has mention of the Oneness of Al Rahmaan.  For this reason, I like reciting this Surah (and recite it again and again).

 

When the Prophet heard this reply, He said:  Inform him that Allah Most High also loves him (and through this you will be granted steadfastness in obedience of Allah).  This Hadith has been related by both Bukhari and Muslim.

 

[To be continued….]