Abdul Muqtadir, Student Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada
This article presents various ahadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa with regard to some chapters and portions of the Holy Quran that he would recite in the five daily prayers as well as the Jumuah and Eid prayers.
This is merely a selection of some passages that the Prophetsa used to recite, not a comprehensive list of all portions he is reported to have recited throughout his life.
Fajr
1. Surah al-Ikhlas and Surah al-Kafirun:
It was narrated that Aishara said: “The Messengersa of Allah used to perform two rak’ah before Fajr, and he used to say: ‘The best two surah to recite in the two rak’ah of Fajr are: ‘Say: Allah is One’ and ‘Say: O you disbelievers.’” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab Iqamat al-salat wal-sunnah fiha, Hadith 1150)
2. Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas
Uqbah ibn Amir narrated that once he rode the she-camel of Allah’s Messengersa during a journey. The Holy Prophetsa said: “Uqbah, should I not teach you two of the best surahs ever recited?” He then taught me: ‘Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of the dawn,’ and ‘Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of men.’ He did not see me much pleased (by these two surahs).
“When he alighted for prayer, he led the people in the morning prayer and recited them in prayer. When the Messengersa of Allah finished his prayer, he turned to me and said: O Uqbah, how did you see.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-witr, Hadith 1462)
In this narration, the Holy Prophetsa referred to Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas.
3. Surah Qaf
In Sahih Muslim, we read that the Holy Prophetsa also recited the following in the first rak’ah:
“And the tall palm trees having flower spikes piled one above another or perhaps Surah Qaf.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 457c)
4. Surah at-Takwir
‘Amr bin Huraith said: As if I am hearing the voice of the Prophet (may peace be upon him) who would recite at the morning prayer: “Oh, but I call to witness the planets, the stars which rise and set.” (Surah at-Takwir, Ch.81: V.15-16; Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-salat, Hadith 817)
5. Fajr on Fridays: Surah Tanzil as-Sajdah and Surah ad-Dahr (al-Insan)
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbasra said: the Messengersa of Allah used to recite in the morning prayer on Friday Surah Tanzil as-Sajdah and Surah ad-Dahr. (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 1074)
Narrated Hazrat Abu Hurairahra: “The Prophetsa used to recite the following in the Fajr prayer of Friday, ‘Alif, Lam, Mim, Tanzil’ (Surah as-Sajdah) and ‘Hal-ata-ala-l-Insani’ (i.e., Surah ad-Dahr)”. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-jumu’ah, Hadith 891)
6. Fajr on Fridays: Surah Jumuah and al-Munafiqun
Hazrat Ibn Abbasra reported: “The Apostlesa of Allah used to recite in the morning prayer on Friday Surah ‘Alif-Lam-Mim, Tanzil as-Sajdah: Surely there came over the man a time’ and he used to recite in Jumuah prayer Surah Jumuah and al-Munafiqun. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-jumuah, Hadith 879a)
Zuhr
1. Surah Luqman and adh-Dhariyat
It was narrated that Al-Bara’ said: “We used to pray Zuhr behind the Prophetsa and we heard some of the verses from Surah Luqman and Adh-Dhariyat from him.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab al-iftitah, Hadith 971)
2. Surah al-Buruj and Surah at-Tariq
It was narrated from Jabir bin Samurah that: “The Prophetsa used to recite ‘By the heaven holding the big stars’ and ‘By the heaven, and at-Tariq (the night-comer, i.e. the bright star)’ and similar surahs in Zuhr and ‘Asr.”
Narrated Jabir ibn Samurah: “The Messengersa of Allah used to recite in the noon and afternoon prayer: ‘By the Heaven and the Morning Star’ and ‘By the Heaven, holding mansions of the stars’ and similar surahs of equal length.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 805)
3. Surah al-A’la and Surah al-Ghashiyah
Abu Bakr bin an-Nadr said: “We were in at-Taff with Anas, and he led them in praying Zuhr. When he had finished, he said: ‘I prayed Zuhr with the Messengersa of Allah and he recited two surahs for us in the two rak’ahs: ‘Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High’ and ‘Has there come to you the narration of the overwhelming (i.e., The Day of Resurrection)?’” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab al-iftitah, Hadith 972)
Surah al-Lail
Jabir b samurah said: “When the sun declined, the Messengersa of Allah offered the noon prayer and recited the surahs ‘By the night when it covers over’ and (recited similar surahs) in the afternoon prayer, and in the other prayers except the dawn prayer which he used to prolong.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-Salat, Hadith 806)
Asr
1. Surah al-Buruj and Surah at-Tariq
It was narrated from Jabir bin Samurah that: “The Prophetsa used to recite ‘By the heaven holding the big stars’ and ‘By the heaven, and at-Tariq (the night-comer, i.e. the bright star)’ and similar surahs in Zuhr and ‘Asr.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab al-iftitah, Hadith 979)
2. Surah al-Lail
Jabir b samurah said:
“When the sun declined, the Messengersa of Allah offered the noon prayer and recited the surahs ‘By the night when it covers over’ and (recited similar surahs) in the afternoon prayer, and in the other prayers except the dawn prayer which he used to prolong.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 806)
Maghrib
1. al-A’raf, al-Maidah and al-An’am
Marwan bin al-Hakam said: “Zaid b Thabit asked me: ‘Why do you recite short surahs in the sunset prayer? I saw the Messengersa of Allah reciting two long surahs at the sunset prayers.’ I asked him: ‘Which are those two long surahs?’ He replied: ‘al-A’raf and al-An’am.’ I ( the narrator Ibn Juraij) asked Ibn Mulaikah (about these surahs): He said on his own accord: al-Ma’idah and al-A’raf.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 812)
2. Mufassalat Surah
A Mufassal Surah (or Mufassalat) means short surahs of the Holy Quran mainly from the last part.
It was narrated that Abu Hurairahra said: “‘I have never prayed behind anyone whose prayer more closely resembled that of the Messengersa of Allah than so-and-so.’ (The narrator) Sulaiman said: ‘He used to make the first two rak’ah of Zuhr lengthy and the last two shorter, and he would make ‘Asr shorter; in Maghrib he would recite the short Mufassal surahs, in Isha the medium-length Mufassal surahs and in Subh the long Mufassal surahs.’” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 982)
Narrated Sulaiman bin Yasar: “‘So-and-so used to prolong the first two rak’ah of the Zuhr prayer and shorten the ‘Asr prayer, and recite the short surah of Mufassal at Maghrib prayer, its medium Surah at the Isha prayer, and its long ones at the Fajr prayer.’ Then Abu Hurairahra said: ‘I never prayed behind anyone whose prayer more closely resembles that of Allah’s Messengersa than this person.’” (Bulugh al-Maram, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 174)
It was narrated from Zaid bin Thabit that: “‘O Abu Abdul-Malik, do you recite: ‘Say: He is Allah, (the) One’ and ‘Verily, We have granted you al-Kawthar’ in maghrib?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ He (Zaid) said: ‘I swear by Allah, I saw the Messengersa of Allah reciting the longer of the two long surahs in it: ‘Alif-Lam-Mim-Sad.’” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab al-iftitah, Hadith 989)
Marwan bin al-Hakam narrated that: Zaid bin Thabit said: “‘Why do I see you reciting short surahs in Maghrib when I saw the Messengersa of Allah reciting the longer of the two long surahs in it?’ I said: ‘O Abu Abdullah, what is the longer of the two long surahs?’ He said: ‘al-A’raf.’” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab al-iftitah, Hadith 990)
3. Surah at-Tur
Jubair b Mut’im said: I heard the Messengersa of Allah reciting al-Tur in the sunset prayer. (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 811)
4. Surah al-Mursalat
Um al-fadl, daughter of al-Harith said:
“I heard Ibn ‘Abbas reciting wa’l-mursalat urfan.” She said: “Oh my son, you have reminded me of this surah by your recitation. This is the last surah which I heard the Messengersa of Allah reciting in the sunset prayer.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-Salat, Hadith 810)
Isha
1. Surah al-Shams
Abdullah bin Buraidah narrated that his father (Buraidah) said:
“Allah’s Messenger would recite: By the sun and its brightness, or similar Surah for the latter Isha (prayer).” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 309)
It was narrated from Abdullah bin Buraidah, from his father, that: “The Messengersa of Allah used to recite ‘By the sun and its brightness’ and similar surahs in Isha”. (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab al-iftitah, Hadith 999)
2. Surah which starts with Ha-Mim
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah that: A man came to him and said: “Last night I recited al-Mufassal in one rak’ah.” He said: “That is like reciting poetry. But the Messengersa of Allah used to recite similar surahs, twenty surahs from al-Mufassal, those that start with Ha-Mim.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab al-iftitah, Hadith 1006)
3. A medium length mufassal Surah
It was narrated that Abu Hurairahra said: “I have never prayed behind anyone whose prayer more closely resembled that of the Messengersa of Allah than so-and-so.” (The narrator) Sulaiman said: “He used to make the first two rak’ah of Zuhr lengthy and the last two shorter, and he would make ‘Asr shorter; in Maghrib he would recite the short Mufassal surahs, in Isha the medium-length Mufassal surahs and in Subh the long Mufassal surahs.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 982)
‘Abd Allah b Shaqiq said: “I asked ‘Aisha whether the Messengersa of Allah recited a whole Surah (of the Quran) in one rak’ah of the prayer. She replied: (He recited from among) the Mufassal surahs. I asked: Did he pray (at night) sitting? She replied: (he prayed sitting) when the people made him old.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 956)
Prohibition of reciting long verses
It was narrated that Hudhaifah said: “I prayed with the Prophetsa one night. He started to recite al-Baqarah and I thought, ‘he will bow when he reaches one hundred,’ but he carried on. I thought, ‘he is going to recite the whole surah in one rak’ah,’ but he carried on. He started to recite an-Nisa’ and recited (the whole surah), then he started to recite Aal-e-Imran and recited (the whole surah), reciting slowly.
“When he reached a verse that spoke of glorifying Allah, he glorified Him. When he reached a verse that spoke of supplication, he made supplication. When he reached a verse that spoke of seeking refuge with Allah, he sought refuge with Him.
“Then he bowed and said: ‘Subhana Rabbi al-Azim (Glory be to my Lord Almighty)’, and he bowed for almost as long as he had stood. Then he raised his head and said: ‘Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him)’, and he stood for almost as long as he had bowed. Then he prostrated and started to say: ‘Subhana Rabbi al-A’la (Glory be to my Lord Most High),’ and he prostrated for almost as long as he had bowed.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab qiyam al-layl wa tatau’ an-nahaar, Hadith 1664)
Jabir said: “Mu’adh b Jabal used to pray along with the Prophetsa; then he returned and led us in prayer. Sometimes he (the narrator) said: then he returned and led his people in prayer. One night the Prophetsa delayed the prayer. Sometimes he (the narrator) mentioned the word ‘the night prayer’.
“Then Mu’adh prayed along with the Prophetsa, then returned to his people and led them in prayer, and recited Surah al-Baqarah. A man turned aside and prayed alone. The people said to him: Have you become a hypocrite, so and so? He replied: I did not become a hypocrite.
“He then came to the Prophetsa and said (to him): Messenger of Allah, Mu’adh prays along with you and then returns and leads us in prayers. We look after camels used for watering and work by day. He came to us leading us in prayer, and he recited Surah al-Baqarah (in prayer). He (the Prophet) said: Mu’adh, are you a troublemaker? Recite such and such ; recite such and such (surahs) The narrator Abu al-Zubair said (recite) ‘Glorify the name of the most high lord’ and ‘By the night when it covers over’. We mentioned this to ‘Amr. He said I think he mentioned it (the names of some surahs).” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 790)
Jumuah
1. Surah al-Jumuah and Surah al-Munafiqun
It was narrated that ‘Ubaidullah bin Abu Rafi’ said: “Marwan appointed Abu Hurairah in charge of al-Madinah, and set out for Makkah. Abu Hurairah led us in prayer on Friday, and he recited Surah al-Jumu’ah in the first rak’ah, and in the second, ‘When the hypocrites come to you,’” ‘Ubaidullah said: “I caught up with Abu Hurairah when he finished and said to him: ‘You recited two surah that ‘Ali used to recite in Kufah.’ Abu Hurairah said: ‘I heard the Messengersa of Allah reciting them.’” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab iqamat as-salat wa as-sunnati fiha, Hadith 1118)
2. Surah al-A’la and Surah al-Ghashiyah
Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub: “The Messengersa of Allah used to recite in the Friday prayer: ‘Glorify the name of your most high Lord’ and ‘Has the story of the overwhelming event reached you?’”. (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 1125)
It was narrated from an-Nu’man bin Bashir that: The Messengersa of Allah used to recite on the two Eids and on Friday: ‘Glorify the Name of Your Lord, the Most High’ and ‘Has there come to you the narration of The Overwhelming?’ Sometimes the two (Eid and Jumu’ah) occurred on the same day, and he would recite them (these two Surahs).” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab salat al-eidein, Hadith 1568)
3. Surah Qaf
‘Amra daughter of Abd al-Rahman reported on the authority of the sister of ‘Amra: “I memorised (surah) ‘Qaf, by the glorious Quran’ from the mouth of the Messengersa of Allah on Friday for he recited it on the pulpit on every Friday.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Jumuah, Hadith 872a)
Eid
1. Surah al-A’la and Surah al-Ghashiyah
It was narrated from an-Nu’man bin Bashir that: “The Messengersa of Allah used to recite on the two Eids and on Friday:
‘Glorify the Name of Your Lord, the Most High’ and ‘Has there come to you the narration of The Overwhelming?’ Sometimes the two (Eid and Jumu’ah) occurred on the same day, and he would recite them (these two Surahs). (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab salat al-eidein, Hadith 1568)
