What is the strength of narration stating that it is Sunnah to recite Surah Kafirun and Surah Ikhlas in the Fard of Maghrib Salah on Thursday night?
Answer:
Imam Ibn Hibban and Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) have recorded a narration which states that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would recite Surah Kafirun and Surah Ikhlas in Maghrib Salah on the eve of Jumu’ah.
(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 1841 and As Sunanul Kubra, vol. 2 pg. 391 and vol. 3 pg. 201)
Although Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has declared this Hadith as authentic, other Hadith masters have declared it as weak and questionable, especially -as Ibn Hajar mentions- other famous narrations state that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would recite these surahs daily in the two rak’ahs sunnah of Maghrib.
(Nataijul Afkar, vol. 1 pg. 458. Also see Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 553)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar