Q 2: After reading some Hadiths on the merit of reciting Surahs Al-Waqi`ah and Al-Hadid in which the first is said to ward off poverty and the second is said to bring about the peace and blessings of angels, I committed myself to reciting them. Is there anything wrong with this practice? A: Reciting the Glorious Qur'an is permissible anytime. However, specifying certain Surah to be recited every night requires specific legal evidence. Thus, when reliable evidence is found, it is permissible. This is the case with reciting Ayat-ul-Kursy (the Qur'anic Verse of Allah's Chair, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255), Surah Al-Ikhlas, and Al-Mu`awwidhatayn (Surahs Al-Falaq and Al-Nas) after every Salah (Prayer) and before sleeping, and reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas and Al-Mu`awwidhatayn three times after Maghrib (Sunset) and Fajr (Dawn) Prayers and before sleeping.As for the merit of Surahs Al-Waqi`ah and Al-Hadid, it is narrated that Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqiah every night will never be afflicted with poverty. However, this is a (Part No. 3; Page No. 133

A: Reciting the Glorious Qur'an is permissible anytime. However, specifying certain Surah to be recited every night requires specific legal evidence. Thus, when reliable evidence is found, it is permissible. This is the case with reciting Ayat-ul-Kursy (the Qur'anic Verse of Allah's Chair, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255), Surah Al-Ikhlas, and Al-Mu`awwidhatayn (Surahs Al-Falaq and Al-Nas) after every Salah (Prayer) and before sleeping, and reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas and Al-Mu`awwidhatayn three times after Maghrib (Sunset) and Fajr (Dawn) Prayers and before sleeping.As for the merit of Surahs Al-Waqi`ah and Al-Hadid, it is narrated that Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqiah every night will never be afflicted with poverty. However, this is a (Part No. 3; Page No. 133) Hadith Mawdu` (fabricated Hadith) narrated on the authority of Ahmad Al-Yamamy from Ibn `Abbas. Al-Suyuty wrote it in his book Dhayl Al-Ahadith Al-Mawdu`ah: "Ahmad Al-Yamamy is a liar. This Hadith was also narrated from Abu Shuja` from Ibn Mas`ud who is a weak narrator. Al-Dhahaby wrote: "Its Sanad (chain of narrators) contains Abu Shuja` who is an unknown narrator."As for the claim that reciting Surah Al-Hadid brings about peace and blessings from the angels, this is not true. In fact, there is no reliable Hadith reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in this regard. A Muslim should recite the Qur'an frequently, for each letter has its due reward. Al-Tirmidhy reported in his Jami` through authentic Sanad, on the authority of Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Anyone who recites a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a Hasanah (rewardable good deed), and the Hasanah is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is (considered as) a letter, rather Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.