Answered by: Maulana Syed Johir Miah
Question:
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas. Whoever recites these three times in the morning and in the evening, will suffice him as a protection against everything. (Abu Dawud 4/322, Tirmizi 5/567, See Al-Albanee’s Saheeh At-Tirmidhi 3/182)
Is this authentic? Just recite it?
No need to blow in hands and wipe over the body, I remember one other Hadith said that. Are they different Ahadith?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The Hadith which you are referring to is narrated by Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Khubaib ( رضى الله عنه ), where he says;
خَرَجْنا فِي لَيْلَةِ مَطَرٍ، وظُلْمَةٍ شَدِيدَةٍ، نَطْلُبُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ لِيُصَلِّيَ لَنا، فَأدْرَكْناهُ، فَقالَ: أصَلَّيْتُمْ؟ فَلَمْ أقُلْ شَيْئًا، فَقالَ: «قُلْ» فَلَمْ أقُلْ شَيْئًا، ثُمَّ قالَ: «قُلْ» فَلَمْ أقُلْ شَيْئًا، ثُمَّ قالَ: «قُلْ» فَقُلْتُ: يا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ما أقُولُ؟ قالَ: «قُلْ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أحَدٌ والمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ حِينَ تُمْسِي، وحِينَ تُصْبِحُ، ثَلاثَ مَرّاتٍ تَكْفِيكَ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ
We went out one rainy and intensely dark night to look for the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم)of Allah (عز و جل) to lead us in prayer, and when we found him, he(صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked: Have you prayed?, but I did not say anything.
So he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: Say, but I did not say anything. He(صلى الله عليه وسلم) again said: Say, but I did not say anything. He(صلى الله عليه وسلم) then said: Say. So I said: What am I to say? He(صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: Say:
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أحَدٌ والمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ حِينَ تُمْسِي، وحِينَ تُصْبِحُ، ثَلاثَ مَرّاتٍ تَكْفِيكَ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ
“Say, “Qul Huwallahu Ahad (Surah Ikhlas),” and Al-Mu’awwadhatan (Surah Falaq and Surah Nas) three times in the morning and evening; they will serve you for every purpose.[1]
There are many Ahadith regards to the virtues of these three Surahs.[2]
In this Hadith, it is stated that as long as someone recites these three Surahs, then they would suffice him as a protection against everything.
However, Sayyidatuna Aisha (رضى الله عنها) narrated that;
كانَ إذا أوى إلى فِراشِهِ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ، جَمَعَ كَفَّيْهِ ثُمَّ نَفَثَ فِيهِما، فَقَرَأ فِيهِما: قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أحَدٌ، وقُلْ أعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الفَلَقِ، وقُلْ أعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النّاسِ ثُمَّ يَمْسَحُ بِهِما ما اسْتَطاعَ مِن جَسَدِهِ، يَبْدَأُ بِهِما عَلى رَأْسِهِ ووَجْهِهِ، وما أقْبَلَ مِن جَسَدِهِ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ ثَلاَثَ مَرّاتٍ.
Every night, when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)would go to his bed, he(صلى الله عليه وسلم) would join his hands, then blow in them, as he(صلى الله عليه وسلم) recited in them:
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أحَدٌ، وقُلْ أعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الفَلَقِ، وقُلْ أعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النّاسِ
“Say, Qul Huwallahu Ahad (Surah Ikhlas),Surah Falaq and Surah Nas”.
Then he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would wipe as much as he was able to of his body with them, beginning first with his head and face, and then the front of his body. He(صلى الله عليه وسلم) would do this three times.[3]
This Hadith states that when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)would go to his bed, he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would join his hands, then blow in them, as he(صلى الله عليه وسلم)recited in them the three Surahs. Then he(صلى الله عليه وسلم) would wipe as much as he was able to of his body with them, beginning with them, first of his head and face, and the front of his body. He(صلى الله عليه وسلم) would do this three times.
However, this action is specific to prior to sleeping, while the Hadith of Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Khubaib ( رضى الله عنه ), is not specific to any time.
Hence, in accordance with the Sunnah, a person should raise their hands as they recite them prior to sleeping and does not have to raise their hands at any other time.
This action of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)is verified from reliable and genuine sources, hence, the Ahadith are authentic.
As the narrations mentioned, it is from the Sunnah to recite the three Surahs and then blow all over the body.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Syed Johir Miah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1]Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 5082, 321/4, Al-Maktabatul Asriyyah, Beirut, Lebanon.
Sunan Tirmizi, (Bashshar) Hadith 3575, 459/5, Darul Gharbil Islami, Beirut, Lebanon, 1998.
[2]والأحاديث في فضل هذه السور الثلاث كثيرة جدًا
Nazmud Durar Fee Tanasubil Ayati Was-Suwar, Buqaee, 419/22, Darul Kitabil Islami, Qairo, Egypt.
[3]Sunan Tirmizi, (Bashshar) Hadith 3402, 344/5, Darul Gharbil Islami, Beirut, Lebanon, 1998.