Understanding the Best Surahs and Verses of the Quran
The Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the angel Gabriel (peace be upon him). Among the various Surahs and verses of the Quran, Allah has distinguished certain ones as being superior. There are several methods to identify these preferred Surahs, including:
- References to specific Surahs or verses in authentic Hadiths from the Prophet, indicating the merit of Surah Al-Fatiha, Surah Al-Falaq, Surah Al-Kafirun, among others.
- Indications from the Prophet (peace be upon him), such as his instruction to recite certain Surahs daily, like Surah Al-Mulk, or weekly, like Surah Al-Kahf.
- The Prophet’s consistency in reciting certain portions, such as the concluding verses of Surah Al-Imran, which he would recite regularly upon waking at night.
- The scholarly diligence of Islamic scholars in affirming the significance of verses, specifically the latter part of Surah Al-Hashr, due to its mention of multiple names from the divine names (Asma’ul Husna).
The Virtue of Surah Al-Fatiha
Surah Al-Fatiha is considered one of the finest Surahs of the Quran, owing to a variety of reasons, including:
- It is an essential component of the Salah (prayer), making it invalid without its recitation; as per the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.”
- This Surah is acknowledged as the best in the Quran, with the Prophet (peace be upon him) stating that nothing similar has been revealed in previous scriptures.
- It is referred to as “The Seven Oft-Repeated,” named so because it is recited in every unit of prayer, symbolizing the devotion of the servant to Allah.
- Surah Al-Fatiha encompasses the three types of Tawheed: Uluhiyyah (divinity), Rububiyyah (lordship), and Asma’ wa Sifat (names and attributes), merging worship and praise of Allah in a singular supplication.
- It serves as a cure for the hearts and bodies by guiding them towards the Straight Path, and there are Hadiths suggesting that it forms part of effective Ruqyah (spiritual healing).
The Virtue of the Mu’awwidhatayn
The term “Mu’awwidhatayn” refers to Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Nas. Various Hadiths articulate their significance and recommend times for their recitation. Some key merits include:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) would recite these Surahs before sleeping, gathering his hands together, blowing into them, and then reading Surah Al-Ikhlas along with the Mu’awwidhatayn, while wiping them over his body three times.
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed his companion, Uqbah ibn Amir, that nothing comparable has been revealed outside these two Surahs.
- Regular recitation of these Surahs can serve as a shield against the evil eye and malice.