Question

What is the status of the following Hadith?

من قرأ الم تنزیل و تبارك الذي بیده الملك في یوم ولیلة فكانما وافق لیلة القدر

Translation

Whomsoever recites [Surah Sajdah] and [Surah Mulk] on any day and night, it is as though he has recited it on Laylatul Qadr

 

Answer

Imam Ibn Durays (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith in his Fadailul Quran.

(Fadailul Quran, Hadith: 214)

This Hadith has been transmitted with a weak and non continuous (mu’dal) chain.

(Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 1, pg. 199 -number: 729- and Al-Ajwibatul Mardiyyah, vol. 2, pg. 461)

There does exist other chains for this narration, but they are either extremely weak or fabricated.

(Refer: Al Ajwibatul Mardiyyah, vol. 2, pg. 461, 462)

Additional Support

However, ‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) has cited this text as the statement of the famous Tabi’i; Imam Tawus ibn Kaysan (rahimahullah) as well as Imam ‘Ata (rahimahullah) -another illustrious Tabi’i too.

Both the senior Tabi’is are also reported to have made it their constant habit of reciting these Surahs every night.

(Al Ajwibatul Mardiyyah, vol. 2, pg. 462-463)

In fact this was also the practice of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):

Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would not sleep until he recited Surah Sajdah and Surah Mulk

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2892, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2, pg. 412)

Imam Hakim and Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahumallah) have declared the above Hadith authentic.

In light of these supports, one should endeavour to recite these Surahs every night.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar