The Verse “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim”
If we were to give an exhaustive account of the benefits of the recitation of “Bismillah…” we would need more than a single volume to do justice to it. Apart from being part of every chapter in the Holy Qur’an (except the chapter of repentance [Surah at-tawba]), it is also the most oft repeated verse in the Holy Qur’an.
It is narrated in Tafsir al-Burhaan that the Holy Prophet (S) has said that when a person recites “Bismillah...” then five thousand ruby palaces are built for him in Jannah Each palace has a thousand chambers made of pearls and in each chamber has seventy thousand thrones of emerald and each throne has seventy thousand carpets made from special fabrics and upon each carpet is seated a Hur-ul-Ein. A person asked for the condition necessary to get this great reward and the Holy Prophet (S) replied that the person should recite the “Bismillah…” with conviction and understanding.
It is narrated in Tafsir al-Burhaan that the Holy Prophet (S) has said that when a person recites “Bismillah...” then five thousand ruby palaces are built for him in Jannah Each palace has a thousand chambers made of pearls and in each chamber has seventy thousand thrones of emerald and each throne has seventy thousand carpets made from special fabrics and upon each carpet is seated a Hur-ul-Ein. A person asked for the condition necessary to get this great reward and the Holy Prophet (S) replied that the person should recite the “Bismillah…” with conviction and understanding.
The Holy Prophet (S) has also said that when a believer will have to cross the Pul-e-Siraat on the Day of Judgement, and he will say “Bismillah…” then the flames beneath him will start dying down until Jahannam will cry out, ‘O believer, pass through quickly, your presence is causing my fire to die out !’
When a teacher teaches a child to recite “Bismillah…” the child, his parents and the teacher are all guaranteed freedom from hellfire. It is narrated that Prophet Isa (a.s.) was once passing by a graveyard and he saw a grave upon which the Wrath and Punishment of Allah (S.w.T.) was descending, so he quietly walked past. When he passed the same place after some time, he noticed that the Mercy and Blessings of Allah (S.w.T.) was being showered on the same grave. He was surprised at this and asked Allah (S.w.T.) about what has happened and it was revealed to him that the man inside the grave was a sinner and was thus being punished for his sins. When he died, his wife was pregnant and soon gave birth to a son. When the boy grew older, his mother took him to a teacher who taught him to recite “Bismillah…” and I felt that it would not be justice that this man’s son was calling My Name and I was punishing his father in the grave.
It is also mentioned that recitation of “Bismillah…” with a loud voice is from the signs of a true believer. Imam Ali Ridha (a.s.) said that “Bismillah…” is very close to the chosen name of Allah (S.w.T.) [Isma A’adham].
Surah al-Fatihah (The Opening)
There are seven verses in this Surah (chapter) and it is said that this Surah is both ‘makki’ and ‘madani’ ie. it was revealed in both Makkah and Madinah.
In the commentary of Majma’ul Bayan it is narrated that the Holy Prophet (S) said that whoever recites this Surah, he will get the reward for reciting two thirds (2/3) of the whole Qur’an, and will get the reward equivalent to what would be gained by giving charity to all the believing men and women in the world.
One of the companions of the Holy Prophet (S) narrates that he once recited this Surah in the presence of the Holy Prophet (S) and the Prophet said, ‘By Him in whose hand is my soul, a similar revelation to this has not been included in the Taurat (Torah), Injeel (Bible), Zabur (Psalms) or even the Qur’an itself.’
The Holy Prophet (S) once asked Jabir ibn Abdallah Ansari, “Should I teach you a Surah that has no other comparison to it in the whole Qur’an ?” Jabir replied, “Yes, and may my parents be ransom upon you O prophet of Allah.” So the Holy Prophet (S) taught him Surah al-Fatihah. Then the Holy Prophet (S) asked, “Jabir, should I tell you something about this Surah ?” Jabir answered, “Yes, and may my parents be ransom upon you O prophet of Allah.” The Prophet (S) said, “It (Surah al-Fatihah) is a cure for every ailment except death.”
Imam AbuAbdillah Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that whoever cannot be cured by Surah al-Fatihah, then there is no cure for that person. In the same narration it is written that if this Surah is recited 70 times on any part of the body that is paining, the pain will surely go away. In fact, the power of this Surah is so great that it is said that if one were to recite it 70 times over a dead body, you should not become surprised if that body starts moving (ie. comes back to life).
Surah al-Fatihah is a cure for physical and also spiritual ailments. Without this Surah, even the daily prayers are incomplete. It is indeed a great treasure that has been given to us by Allah (S.w.T.) through the Holy Prophet (S) and no previous prophet has been given anything like it. This Surah is also known as ‘Ummul Kitab’ and ‘Sab’a mathani’.
Surah al-Baqarah (The Cow)
This Surah has 286 verses and is a ‘madani’ Surah ie. it was revealed in Madinah. It is also the longest Surah in the Holy Qur’an.
The Holy Prophet (S) has said that whoever recites the first four verses of Surah al-Baqarah, accompanied by the ‘ayatul kursi’ together with the last three verses of this Surah - and makes a habit of reciting these verses daily – his life, property and family will be protected and no evil shall come upon them. Shaitan will not come close to him and he will not be from those who forget Allah (S.w.T.).
Surah Ali-’Imran (The Family of Imran)
In this Surah, there are a total of 200 verses and it was revealed in Madinah. The Holy Prophet (S) has said that whoever recites Surah Ali-’Imran on Friday, then until the setting of the sun, he will be showered by the Mercy of Allah (S.w.T.) and the angels will beg for his forgiveness.
The Prophet (S) has also recommended this Surah for those women who are not able to conceive. The Surah should be written using saffron and then given to her to wear as a talisman and by the Will of Allah (S.w.T.) she will conceive.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that if a person faces hardship in earning his livelihood, he should write this Surah and wear it as a talisman and Allah (S.w.T.) will increase his sustenance greatly. The Imam (a.s.) also said that if anyone recites both Surah al-Baqarah and Ali-’Imran, then these Surahs will come in the shape of clouds on the day of judgement to protect him from the scorching heat.
Surah an-Nisa (The Women)
This Surah was revealed in Madinah and has a total of 177 verses. In ‘Tafsir al-burhan’ it is written that Imam Ali (a.s.) has said that whoever recites this Surah on every Friday, he will remain safe from the squeezing in the grave (‘fishare qabr’).
Surah al-Ma’idah (The Table-spread)
There are 120 verses in this Surah and it is a ‘makki’ Surah ie. it was revealed in Makkah. It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (S) that whoever recites this Surah, he will get a reward equivalent to ten times the number of Jews and Christians alive in the world, and will be forgiven the same amount of sins and will be raised in status by the same amount.
Surah al-An’aam (The Cattle)
This Surah was revealed in Makkah and contains a total of 165 verses. Imam Ridha (a.s.) has said that this Surah was revealed accompanied by the descending of seventy thousand angels. These angels will ask forgiveness from Allah (S.w.T.) for any person who recites this Surah, and they will continue doing so until the Day of Judgement.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that if a person writes this Surah using musk or saffronand then drinks it (ie. puts the written Surah in water for its writing to dissolve) for six consecutive days, that person will be blessed abundantly and will be free from all problems and ailments. He will not loose his health or fall sick.
The 6th Holy Imam (a.s.) also said that this Surah must be accorded due respect as the name of Allah (S.w.T.) appears 70 times in it. If people knew the benefits of reciting this Surah, they would never leave it.
Surah al-A’araaf (The Elevated Places)
There are 206 verses in this ‘makki’ Surah. It is reported from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.), that whoever recites this Surah once a month, he will have no worry or fear on the Day of Resurrection and if it is recited on a Friday, then the reciter will be from among those who will be exempted from the taking of accounts on the Day of Judgement.
Surah al-A’araaf has the ayaat al-muhkamaat that will give witness on behalf of its reciter on the Day of Reckoning. The Holy Prophet (S) has said that there will be a veil between the reciter of this Surah and Iblees on Judgement day and the reciter will be in the company of Prophet Adam (a.s.)
Writing this Surah with rose water and saffron and keeping the writing at all times ensures safety from enemies and wild animals.
Surah al-Anfaal (The Spoils of War)
This Surah was revealed in Madinah and it has 75 verses. In the commentary of Majma’ul Bayaan, it is narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) that whoever recites Surah al-Anfaal and Surah at-Tawba every month, he will be protected from being a hypocrite and will be counted among the followers of Ameerul Mu’mineen – Imam Ali (a.s.), and on the day of Qiyamah he will eat from the table-spread of Jannah together with all the followers of Ahlul Bayt.
This Surah contains the verse about khums, which is the right of the Ahlul Bayt. The Holy Prophet (S.) said that he will, on the Day of Judgement, intercede for the person who recites this Surah and will bear witness that the reciter of this Surah was free from hypocrisy. Keeping Surah al-Anfaal in your possession at all times ensures that you get your rights that have been taken from you and your legitimate desires are fulfilled.
Surah al-Bara’at - at-Tawba (The Repentance)
This Surah has 129 verses and was revealed in Madinah. This Surah was revealed all at once and its revelation was accompanied by seventy thousand angels. It is narrated that keeping this Surah over one’s head (like in a cap or Amama) is a safety from thieves and destruction of property by fire. Also, keeping this Surah in one’s possession ensures safety from the evil designs of enemies.
Surah Yunus
This Surah is ‘makki’ and it has 109 verses. It is narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) that if a person recites this Surah once in two or three months, he will not be placed alongside the ignorant ones and will be from among the ‘muqarrabeen’ (close ones) on the Day of Reckoning. It is also narrated that if a person recites Surah Yunus, he will get the reward equal to the number of people who were present in the community of Prophet Yunus (a.s.).
This Surah can be used as a means of identifying thieves from among your workers. This is done by either writing the Surah and under it writing the names of all the people in the house or workplace who could be suspected of stealing and then keeping this writing in the house. It will, after some time, become manifest who the thief is.
Surah Hud
This Surah was revealed in Makkah and has a total of 123 ayaat (verses). Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) has said that whoever recites this Surah every Friday, his accounts will on the Day of Judgement, be taken together with that of the Prophets and all his sins will be forgiven.
It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (S.) that the person who recites Surah Hud will get a reward equal to the number of people who were there at the time of the Holy Prophet (S) and his rank will be like of the martyrs. The accounting for his deeds will also be made easy for him.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that writing this Surah on a sheepskin and keeping it in one’s possession at all times makes one so courageous and bold that nobody can defeat him in combat. Whoever sees him will be filled with fear.
Surah Yusuf
Surah Yusuf has 111 ayaat and was revealed in Makkah. It is narrated that the Holy Prophet (S) said that whoever recites this Surah and teaches his family members how to recite it also, Allah (S.w.T.) will make the final moments before his death (sakaraatul mawt) easy for him to bear and will remove jealousy from his heart.
It has been narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq that whoever recited this Surah daily, he will be raised on the day of Qiyamah with the handsomeness of Prophet Yusuf (a.s.) and he will be protected from the fear and discomfort of this day. He will be raised among the pious servants of Allah (S.w.T.). This Surah also keeps one’s heart safe from illegitimate lustful desires.
The sixth Imam (a.s.) has also said that if a person drinks the water in which this Surah has been dissolved, then his sustenance will be easier to reach and he will be made from the people of Jannah.
Surah Ra’d
There are 43 ayaat in this Surah and it is ‘makki’ though some Mufassireen (those who have written commentaries of the Holy Qur’an) say that the last verse of this Surah was revealed in Madinah. In fact, some even go as far as saying that the whole of this Surah is ‘madani’ except for two verses.
The Holy Prophet (a.s.) has been quoted as saying that whoever recites this Surah will be made from among those who fulfil their promise to Allah (S.w.T.) and they will be given reward which is ten times the number of sins they have committed.
It is narrated that Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that if a mu’min recites this Surah often, he will be taken to Jannah without having to give the long and detailed accounts for his deeds on Earth. He will also be allowed to intercede on behalf of his relatives and friends.
If this Surah is written at night, after the time for Isha prayers, under a candle’s light, and then hung outside the door of a tyrant ruler’s palace, then the ruler will perish and so will his control over the people. His army and his supporters will betray him and nobody will listen to him.
Surah Ibrahim
This is a ‘makki’ Surah that has 52 ayaat. It is narrated by Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq that whoever recites Surah Ibrahim and Surah Hijr in a two-rak’aat prayer on every Friday, he will remain safe from poverty, insanity and sudden calamity.
In the commentary of Burhan, it is mentioned that writing this Surah on a white parchment and then making a child wear it as a talisman keeps the child safe from ailments and makes it easy for him to drink and digest milk.
Surah Hijr
There are 99 verses in this ‘makki’ Surah. It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (S) that whoever recites Surah Hijr will get the reward equal to the number of Muhajireen and Ansaar (companions of the Holy Prophet [S.]) and this Surah should be written with saffron and then worn as a talisman by a new mother who cannot produce enough milk for her child.
If written and tied on one’s arm, it makes any business conducted by the wearer to be profitable and makes people like doing business with him. His sustenance thus increases. In a narration by Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) one can also put this Surah (written) inside the pocket or safe (for storing valuables).
Surah an-Nahl (The Bee)
This Surah was revealed in Makkah and has 128 ayaat. In the commentary of Majma’ul Bayan it is recorded from the Holy Prophet (S) that whoever recites this Surah will not be questioned, on the Day of Judgement, about the blessings he received on the Earth and will get the reward equal to the amount of people who left a good will when they died.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that whoever recites Surah an-Nahl once every month, he will be safe from 70 types of diseases and will be from among the people of Jannah. This Surah should, however, under no circumstance be written and kept in the house or garden as it may have harmful effects. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has said that if kept in a house or garden, it will soon be destroyed. Indeed this is a weapon that one is only allowed to use against an evil person who is the enemy of Islam.
Surah Bani-Isra’il (Children on Israel)
There are 111 verses in this ‘makki’ Surah. The Holy Prophet (S) has said that a great reward will be accorded to those who recite this Surah and when they reach the verse about parents, they feel a sense of love and gentleness towards their parents.
It is narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) that whoever recites Surah Bani-Isra’il every Thursday night, will not die before meeting Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and will be counted among his companions. Also, if a child is not able to speak or is delaying in his learning how to speak, he should be given the water of this Surah that has been written with saffron.
In the commentary of Safi it is written that the Holy Prophet (S) told Imam Ali (a.s.) that the last two verses of this Surah are a protection and safety from theft. This Surah is also called Surah al-Isra’.
Surah al-Kahf (The Cave)
This Surah has 110 ayaat and it was revealed in Makkah. The Holy Prophet (S) has said that whoever recites this Surah will be protected from fitna (evil) for eight days. If a person recites the last verse of Surah al-Kahf before sleeping at night, Allah (S.w.T.) creates a noor(light) from his sleeping place up to the Holy Ka’bah and in this light are angels who continually pray for the reciter until he wakes up.
It is narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) that if a person wishes to wake up at a particular time, he should recite the last ayah of this Surah and then make the intention that he will wake up at a certain time and he will wake up at that time. He (a.s.) also said that if a person recites this Surah every Thursday night, he will die the death of a martyr. Keeping this Surah (written) in the house becomes a means of protection from poverty and debts.
Surah Maryam
There are 99 ayaat in this ‘makki’ Surah. It is written in the commentary of Majma’ul Bayan that the reward for reciting this Surah is equal to ten times the number of people present at the time of Prophet Zakariyyah (a.s.), Yahya (a.s.), Isa (a.s.), Musa (a.s.), Ishaq (a.s.), Harun (a.s.), Ibrahim (a.s.), Ya’qub (a.s.) and Isma’il (a.s.) combined.
Keeping this Surah (written) in the house ensures protection from thieves and Allah (S.w.T.) blesses the occupants of the house. It is also narrated that before going in the presence of a tyrant ruler, if a person recites ‘Kaf-Ha-Ya-’Ain-Saad’ and closed, with each letter, one finger of his right hand, and then recites ‘Ha-Mim-‘Ain-Seen-Qaaf’ and with each letter, closes one finger of his left hand; and then he comes in the presence of the tyrant and recites ‘wa ‘anatil wujuhu lil hayyil qayyum wa khaaba man hamala dhulma’ and then he opens his fingers, he will be protected from the evil of the tyrant.
Surah Taha
This Surah was revealed in Makkah and has 135 verses. It is mentioned in a narration from the Holy Prophet (S) that whoever recites this Surah will get the reward equivalent to the number of companions of the Holy Prophet (S) from the Muhajireen and Ansaar.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that Allah (S.w.T.) befriends the ones who recite this Surah and this person will receive his book of deeds on his right hand. His sins will be forgiven and he will get so much reward that he will be pleased on the Day of Judgement.
This Surah should be recited before war, going before a tyrant ruler and trying to guide a community towards the path of Allah (S.w.T.). If a girl is not getting married and she wishes to get married, she should take ghusl (bath) with water in which this Surah has been dissolved and by the will of Allah (S.w.T.) she will get married.
If a man wishes to get married, he should write verses 131 and 132 of this Surah with saffron and then wear it as a talisman and InshaAllah his proposal will be accepted.
Surah al-Ambiya’ (The Prophets)
This ‘makki’ Surah has 112 ayaat. It is narrated that the reward for reciting this Surah is that the accounting on the Day of Reckoning becomes easy for the reciter and all the Prophets whose names appear in the Holy Qur’an will come to meet him on this day.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that whoever recites Surah al-Ambiya’ frequently, his status in Jannah will be close to the Prophets. Writing this Surah and keeping it with one removes all stress and worry.
Surah al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage)
There are 78 ayaat in this Surah and it was revealed in Makkah. The Holy Prophet (S) has said that reciting this Surah carries the reward equal to the number of pilgrims who have been for Hajj and those who will go for Hajj in the future.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq has said that whoever recites this Surah once in every three days will get the opportunity of going for Hajj in the same year, and if he dies on the way, he will be granted Jannah. Someone asked what would happen if the person performing the Hajj was a sinner, so the Imam (a.s.) replied that his punishment would be reduced.
Surah al-Mu’minun (The Believers)
This Surah was revealed in Makkah and it has 118 verses. The Holy Prophet (S.) has said that the reciter of this Surah will feel great comfort when the angel of death comes to take his soul and he will be given the good news of his position by angels.
It is narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) that whoever recites this Surah on every Friday, he will have a great status in the hereafter and will be in the company of prophets. If this Surah is written (at night) and put on the neck of a drunkard, he will start hating intoxicating drinks and will stop this bad habit.
Surah an-Nur (The Light)
There are 64 ayaat in this Surah and it was revealed in Madinah. In the commentary of Burhan it is narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) that whoever constantly recites Surah an-Nur will never, in his lifetime, see any evil from his near ones and when he dies, seventy thousand angels will accompany his body up to the grave and will pray for his forgiveness.
The Holy Prophet (S) said that it is especially good for women to recite this Surah. He (S) also said that the reward for reciting this Surah is equal to ten times the number of mu’mineen and mu’minaat on the Earth. The sixth Imam (a.s.) said that keeping this Surah in one’s bed prevents wet dreams.
Surah al-Furqan (The Criterion)
This Surah has 77 ayaat and it is ‘makki’. The Holy Prophet (S) has said that a person who recites this Surah will be taken to Jannah without questioning, provided he believes in the Day of Judgement and the Raising of the Dead (from the graves).
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said that Allah (S.w.T.) will never send His punishment upon any person who recites this Surah every night. The reciter of this Surah will also gain a highly status in the hereafter. The person who writes this Surah and keeps it in his possession will never be harmed by the vermin of this earth.
Surah ash-Shu’ara (The Poets)
This Surah was revealed in Makkah and it has a total of 227 ayaat. In the commentary of Burhan it is narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq that whoever recites the three Tawaseen (ie. the three Surahs beginning with Ta-Seen) on every Thursday night, will be counted from the Awliyaa-ullah (friends of Allah) and will be under the protection of Allah (S.w.T.). The reward for reciting this Surah is so great that when the person sees the reward he has gotten from it (on the Day of Judgement) he will be pleased.
The Holy Prophet (S) said that the one who recites this Surah will come out of his grave reciting the Shahadah or Kalimah, bearing witness in the Oneness of Allah (S.w.T.). Reciting Surah ash-Shu’ara at dawn is compared to the recitation of all the heavenly books that have been revealed. Frequent recitation of this Surah ensures protection from thieves and from death by drowning or being burnt. Drinking water in which this Surah was dissolved protects one from all types of ailments.
Surah an-Naml (The Ant)
This ‘makki’ Surah has 93 verses. In the commentary of Majma’ul Bayan, it is written that the reward for reciting this Surah is compared to ten times the number of people alive during the time of Prophet Suleiman (a.s.), Hud (a.s.), Shu’aib (a.s.), Saalih (a.s.) and Ibrahim (a.s.).
In the commentary of Burhan it is written that if this Surah is written on deerskin and kept in the house, then no dangerous creature (e.g. snake) will come near the house. This has been narrated by Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.)
Surah al-Qasas (The Narrative)
There are 88 ayaat in this Surah and it was revealed in Makkah though some scholars say that it was revealed in Madinah. The 58th verse of this Surah was revealed at the time of the Holy Prophet’s (S) migration from Makkah to Madinah.
It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (S) that whoever recites this Surah will get the reward equivalent to the number of people present at the time of Prophet
