Merits of the Recitation of the Holy Qur

The Bismilla	(1) al-Fatiha	(2) al-Baqarah	(3) Aali-'Imran	(4) al-Nisaa	(5) al-Maida	(6) al-An'am
(7) al-A'raf	(8) al-Anfal	(9) Bara'ah	(10) Younus	(11) Hud	(12) Yousuf	(13) al-Ra'd
(14) Ibrahim	(15) al-Hijr	(16) al-Nahl	(17) al-lsra'	(18) al-Kahaf	(19) Maryam	(20) Ta-Ha
(21) al-Anbiya'	(22) al-Hajj	(23) al-Muminun	(24) al-Nur	(25) al-Furqan	(26) al-Shu'ara'	(27) al-Naml
(28) al-Qasas	(29) al-'Ankabut	(30) al-Rum	(31) Luqman	(32) al-Sajdah	(33) al-Ahzab	(34) Saba'
(35) Fatir	(36) Ya-Sin	(37) al-Saffat	(38) Sad	(39) al-Zumar	(40) al-Mu'min	(41) al-Sajda
(42) al-Shura	(43) al-Zukhruf	(44) al-Dukhkhan	(45) al-Jathiya	(46) al-Ahqaf	(47) Muhammad	(48) al-Fath
(49) al-Hujurat	(50) Qaf

The Bismilla

Whenever we recite a verse from the Holy Qur'an, we start with the Basmala, that is:

Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the most Merciful.)

In the Fatiha, the first chapter of the Holy Qur'an, this Basmala is a verse all by itself, whereas in all other chapters, with the exception of Bara'ah or Tawbah where it is not recited, it serves as an introduction to other verses. On pp. 39-40, Vol. 1, of his Tafsir, al-Qummi chronologically arranges the isnad of one particular statement made by Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) and recounts the longest list of narrators we have ever come across. The list of narrators ends with Abu Busayr, a well-known companion of this great Imam (as), saying that he once asked Imam al-Sadiq (as) about the tafsir of Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem, so he said, and we would like to quote his statement as well as its isnad in its original text as follows:

After the long list of the said narrators, the Imam (as) indicates the derivation of each letter of the Basmala as follows:

The "ba" is derived from "baha-Allah," the Splendor of Allah;
the "seen" is derived from "sanna-Allah," the Majesty of Allah;
the "meem" is derived from "mulk-Allah," the Kingdom of Allah;
"Allah" is the God of everything;
"al-Rahmaan" is the One Who is Merciful to all His creation;
"al-Raheem" is the One Who singles out those who believe in Him to receive the greatest share of His mercy.

On p. 506 of Misbah al-Kaf'ami, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that when a teacher teaching a child to recite the Holy Qur'an tells the child to recite "Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem," and the child recites it, Allah will decree a clearance for the child, for his parents, and for the teacher, from hell, and that it is comprised of nineteen letters, the same number corresponding to the number of the keepers of the gates of hell; therefore, whoever pronounces it, Allah will permit these letters to close the gates of hell against him.

Now let us research and find out how each of the 114 chapters of the Holy Qur'an stands out among the rest, and what rewards the faithful will Insha-Allah receive from the most Generous One for reciting it. Following is a translation from the Arabic of most of the original text on pp. 506-542 of Vol. 2 of Misbah al-Kaf'ami by Shaykh Taqi al-Deen Ibrahim ibn Ali ibn al-Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn Salih al-'Amili al-Kaf'ami, in addition to selected texts included in Vol. 89 of al-Majlisi's Bihar al-Anwar.

Al-Tibrisi, in his exegesis Mujma'ul-Bayan fee Tafsir al-Qur'an, provides ten names for the first chapter of the Holy Qur'an, namely Surat al-Fatiha:

1) al-Fatiha, the one that opens, for it is like a gate: when opened, it leads one to the Book of Allah;
2) al-Hamd, the praise, for its verses are clearly praising the Almighty;
3) Ummul- Kitab, the mother of the Book, for its status is superior to all other chapters of the Holy Qur'an, or like the war standard: it is always in the forefront;
4) al-Sab', the seven verses, for it is comprised of seven verses and the only one whose verses are seven, and there is no room here to elaborate on the merits of the number 7 especially since most readers of this book are already aware of such merits;
5) al-Mathani, the oft-repeated Chapter, for no other Chapter of the Holy Qur'an is repeated as often as this one;
6) al-Kafiya, the chapter that suffices and that has no substitute; you simply cannot replace its recitation with that of any other chapter of the Holy Qur'an in the first two rek'ats of the prayers, whereas it can substitute others;
8) al-Asas, the basis or foundation or bed-rock, a connotation of its being the foundation upon which the Holy Qur'an stands just as the Basmala ("Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim") is the foundation of the Fatiha;
9) al- Shifa, the healing, due to the fact that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that the Fatiha heals from all ailments except death; and
10) al-Salat, the prayers, or the basic requirement of the daily prayers, one without the recitation of which no prayer can be accepted, especially since the Prophet (pbuh) has quoted the Almighty saying,

"The prayers have been divided between Me and My servant: one half for Me, and one for him;" so when one recites it and says, "Alhamdulillahi Rabbil-'Alameen," the Almighty says, "My servant has praised Me." And when he says, ''Arrahmanir Raheem," the Almighty says, "My servant has praised Me." And when he says, "Maaliki YawmidDeen," Allah says, "My servant has exalted Me." And when he says, "Iyyaaka Na'budu wa iyyaaka nasta'een," Allah will say, 'This is a covenant between Me and My servant, and My servant shall be granted the fulfillment of his pleas." Then if he finishes reciting the Fatiha to the end, Allah will again confirm His promise by saying, 'This is for [the benefit of] My servant, and My servant will be granted the answer to his wishes.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted by Abu Ali al-Fadl ibn al-Hassan ibn al-Fadl al-Tibrisi, may Allah have mercy on his soul, saying that one who recites al-Fatiha will be regarded by the Almighty as though he recited two-thirds of the Holy Qur'an and as though he gave by way of charity to each and every believing man and woman. "By the One in Whose hand my soul is," the Prophet (pbuh) continues, "Allah Almighty did not reveal in the Torah, the Gospel, or the Psalms any chapter like it; it is the Mother of the Book and al- Sab' al-Mathani (the oft-repeated seven verses), and it is divided between Allah and His servant, and His servant shall get whatever he asks; it is the best Sura in the Book of the most Exalted One, and it is a healing from every ailment except poison, which is death."

He (pbuh) is also quoted by al-Kaf'ami as saying, "He (Allah) bestowed it upon me as His blessing, making it equivalent to the Holy Qur'an, saying, 'And We have granted you al-Sab' al-Mathani and the Great Qur'an (Surat al-Hijr, verse 87).' lt is the most precious among the treasures of the 'Arsh."

Indeed, Allah, the most Sublime, has chosen Muhammad (pbuh) alone to be honored by it without doing so to any other Prophet or Messenger of His with the exception of Sulayman (Solomon), peace be upon him, who was granted the Basmala (see verse 30 of Surat al-Naml, Chapter of the Ant). One who recites it, being fully convinced of his following in the footsteps of Muhammad (pbuh) and his Progeny (as), adhering to its injunctions, believing in its outward and inward meanings, will be granted by Allah for each of its letters a blessing better than what all there is in the world of wealth and good things, and whoever listens to someone reciting it will receive one third of the rewards due to its reciter.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted by Ubayy saying, "Whoever recites it will receive blessings from Allah and His mercy and will be granted the rewards due to one who camps for a full year, in the way of Allah, as a soldier on the borders of the Islamic domains to protect them, being constantly on vigil." Then the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) turned to the narrator, Ubayy, and said, "O Ubayy! Order the Muslims to learn it, for learning it is a blessing, while leaving it is a loss, and no magician can ever overpower it."

He (pbuh) is also quoted as saying that everything has a zenith, and the zenith of the Our'an is Surat al-Baqarah. "Which ayat (verse)," he (pbuh) was asked, "in it is the best, O Messenger of Allah?" He (pbuh) said, "Ayat al-Kursi [2:255]," he (pbuh) answered. And he (pbuh) entrusted the youngest among his companions, namely al-Harith ibn Zayd ibn al-Harithah, due to the fact that he knew Surat al-Baqarah by heart, to command an army to defend Islam.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that one who recites it will be given for each of its verses security on the bridge over hell, and whoever recites it on Friday will be blessed by Allah and His angels all day long till sunset. He (pbuh) is also quoted saying, "Memorize Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Aali' Imran, for they are like two fragrant flowers, and they will shade the one who learns them by heart on the Day of Judgment like two douds..." to shade those who used to recite them quite often from the intense heat of that Day.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that one who recites it will be regarded by the Almighty as though he were charitable to all orphans, and he will be granted rewards due to one who emancipates a person who dissociates himself from shirk and who, by the will of Allah, is forgiven." Imam Ali (as) is quoted saying that whoever recites it every Friday will be secure from the constriction of the grave.

Imam Ali (as) is also quoted saying that whoever recites it will be given ten good deeds, and ten of his sins will be forgiven, and his status will be elevated by ten degrees for each and every Jew and Christian alive. (This may be due to the fact that this Qur'anic chapter discusses Judaism and Christianity in great detail). Imam-al- Sadiq (as) says that one who recites it on every Thursday will not mix his belief with any oppression, nor will he ever commit shirk.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that this Chapter was revealed as a whole escorted by seventy thousand angels praising and glorifying the Almighty in unison; so, whoever recites it will be blessed by those same seventy thousand angels for a full day and night. Imam al-Rida (as) is quoted as saying that those angels will keep blessing him till the Day of Judgment.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said, "One who recites it from its beginning till the verse saying, 'And thus do We make some oppressors befriend others on account of what they earned (6:129),' Allah will assign for him forty thousand angels to write for him (in his book of good deeds) the like of their own adoration till the Day of Resurrection."
According to the author of Al-Af ad wal Gharaib, one who does the same after having performed the fajr prayers, forty angels will descend for him, and it will be recorded for him the like of their adoration.
According to the author of Al-Waseet, if one does so upon waking up, Allah Almighty will assign for him a thousand angels to protect him and to record for him the like of their deeds (of adoration) till the Day of Judgment.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that if one recites this chapter, Allah, the most Exalted One, will install a protective veil between him and Iblis, and Adam (as) will seek intercession for him on the Day of Judgment.
Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) is quoted saying that one who reads it every month will be among those who shall have no fear on the Day of Judgment, nor shall they grieve; so, if he recites it every Friday, he will be among those who will not be tried on the Day of Judgment.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying, "If someone recites both Surat al-Anfal and Bara'ah together, I shall seek intercession for him and testify for him on the Day of Judgment that he is free from hypocrisy, and he will be granted of the rewards ten times as many as the number of hypocritical men and women in the world, and ten of his sins will be wiped out, and his status will be elevated by ten degrees, and the 'Arsh and those (angels) that bear it shall bless him as long as he lives."
Imam al-Sadiq (as) has said, "One who recites both of these chapters every month will not undergo any hypocrisy, and he will be as a true Shi'a of the Commander of the Faithful (as) and will be eating on the Day of Judgment of the tables of Paradise with them till Allah, the most Exalted One, is through with the Judgment."

Its merits are similar to those of Surat al-Anfal above. In a footnote regarding this Chapter, al-Kaf'ami explains that "Bara'ah" (which means clearance or dissociation or a separation from) means: dissociation (of the infidels) from Ali (as); the Basmala was not included at its beginning, as is the case with all other Chapters of the Holy Qur'an, simply because the Basmala connotes security and mercy, whereas Bara'ah was revealed to lift such security and to warn of confrontation.
This chapter, al-Kaf'ami goes on, has ten names:

1) "Bara'ah," after the first word in it;
2) "Tawbah," due to the repentance to which it refers within its text;
3) "Faziha," the revealer, unveiler, or announcer, for it unveils and reveals the truth about and announces the hypocrisy of those hypocrites about whom it informs us;
4) "Muba'thira," scatterer, because it scatters and displays to everyone the hidden secrets of those hypocrites;
5) "Muqashqisha," a chapter that cures or heals or clears those who believe in it of hypocrisy and polytheism due to the supplication and sincerity it contains;
6) "Bahooth," investigator or researcher or seeker, because it looks for the hypocrites' secret schemes;
7) "Mudamdima," annihilator, because it annihilates hypocrisy and hypocrites;
8) "Hafira," excavator or digger: it dug up the hearts of the hypocrites and unveiled what they were hiding;
9) "Mubashshira," bearer of glad tidings: By making public the abominations and ugly schemes of those hypocrites, it brought glad tidings to those who were not among them; and,
10) "Athab," torment or torture, because of repeatedly referring to the torment awaiting those hypocrites and all others like them.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that one who recites this chapter will be given ten good deeds for each and everyone who believed in prophet Younus (as) as well as for those who disbelieved in him and who were drowned with Pharaoh. Imam al-Sadiq (as) is quoted saying that whoever recites it once a month will not be among the ignorant ones and will instead be on the Day of Judgment among those near to the Almighty.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that one who recites this chapter will be granted of the rewards of ten good deeds for the number of each person who believed in prophet Noah (as) and who disbelieved in him and in prophets Hud, Salih, Shu'ayb, Lot, Ibrahim and Musa (Moses), peace be upon all of them, and he will be on the Day of Judgement among the happy ones. Imam al-Sadiq (as) is quoted as saying that anyone who recites it every Friday will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment among the group that will include the prophets, peace be upon all of them, and he will receive an easy trial and no sin will be recorded against him.

About this chapter, Imam al-Sadiq (as) is quoted as saying, "Let your slaves memorize it, for whoever teaches it to his slaves and those whose right hand possesses will die an easy death, and he will be empowered to the extent that he will envy no other Muslim at all." The Imam (as) is also quoted as saying that whoever recites it every day or every night will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment with beauty similar to that of Yousuf, peace be upon him, and he will not be affected by the great terror of the Day of Judgment and will be among the best of Allah's servants.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that one who recites this chapter will be rewarded with rewards as many as the clouds that passed away as well as those that will pass till the Day of Judgment, and he will be on the Day of Judgment among those who fulfilled their covenant with Allah. Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) is also quoted as saying that one who recites this chapter quite often will never be hit by lightning and will be admitted into Paradise without reckoning, and he will be granted the right to intercede on behalf of all those of his family and brethren whom he knows.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that a person who recites this chapter will be rewarded with ten good deeds for each and everyone who worshipped the idols and who did not worship them. Imam al-Sadiq (as) has also said that one who recites both this chapter and the next one (al-Hijr) during an optional prayers of two rek'ats every Friday will never be impoverished, nor will he suffer insanity nor any calamity whatsoever.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that one who recites this chapter will receive ten good deeds for the number of each Muhajir (immigrant from Medina) and Ansar (Medenite supporter) and the number of those who ridiculed the Prophet (pbuh).

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) says that one who recites this chapter will not be tried by Allah with regard to what blessings He had bestowed upon him during the life of this world, and if he dies that day or night, he will be granted rewards equivalent to those due to whoever dies after having left a good will. The Imam (as) has also said that one who recites it once a month will be regarded as having paid his dues in the life of this world.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) says that whoever recites this Chapter and is moved upon remembering his parents will be given the weight of two kantars of rewards. Imam al-Sadiq (as) says that one who recites this Chapter every Friday night will not die before seeing al-Qa'im (al-Mahdi) (as) and will be among his supporters.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that whoever recites Surat al-Kahaf will be admitted into Paradise, and if he recites it on a Friday, Allah will forgive the sins he has committed or will be committing in ten days, and he will be granted light reaching the heavens and will be protected against the dissension of the anti-Christ. Imam al-Sadiq (as) has also said that when this Chapter was revealed, it was escorted by seventy thousand angels, and its greatness filled the earth and the skies, and that whoever recites it on the eve of every Friday will die as a martyr and will be resurrected in the company of the martyrs and will stand with them.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that anyone who recites this Chapter will be granted rewards as many as the number of those who believed in Zakariyya (as) and those who did not. Imam al-Sadiq has said that if one recites it quite often, he will not die before he, his wealth, and his offspring will be blessed by it, and on the Day of Judgment, he will be among the supporters of Jesus, peace be upon him, and he will be granted in the hereafter what Solomon (as) was granted in the life of this world.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is cited as saying that one who recites Surat Taha will be granted rewards equivalent to what the Muhajirun and Ansar will be granted, that the people of Paradise recite only two chapters of the Holy Qur'an: Ya-Sin and Ta-Ha, and that Allah Almighty created both of these Chapters two thousand years before creating Adam (as). "Never cease reciting it," Imam al-Sadiq (as) used to say, "for Allah, the most Exalted One, loves it and loves those who recite it. Whoever recites it will be given his book (of reckoning) in his right hand, and he will not be asked about his deeds and will be granted of the rewards that with which he will be pleased."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said, "Whoever recites Surat-al-Anbiya' will be tried by Allah an easy trial, and each and every Prophet mentioned in the Holy Qur'an will shake hands with him." Imam al-Sadiq (as) has said, "One who recites it out of his love for it will be in the company of the prophets in Paradise, and he will be highly respected in the life of this world."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that anyone who recites it will be granted as many rewards as the number of those who performed the pilgrimage and the 'umra. Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq is quoted as saying that whoever recites it every three days will perform the pilgrimage to the House of Allah during that year, and if he dies on his way, he will enter Paradise.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that one who recites this Chapter will be given the glad tidings by the angels of the Spirit, of fragrance, and of whatever that cools his eyes when the angel of death (as) descends upon him. Imam al-Sadiq (as) is quoted as saying that if someone recites it every Friday, his deeds will be sealed with happiness, and his residence will be in the highest pinnacle of Paradise among the prophets and messengers.

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his progeny, is quoted as saying that whoever recites it will be granted ten rewards for the number of all those who believed in the past as well as those who will in the future believe. Abu Abdullah Imam al-Sadiq (as) has also said, "Fortify your wealth, your honor, and your women with it."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that for one who recites this Chapter each day or each night, nobody in his family will be guilty of the sin of adultery, and when he dies, his soul will be escorted to his grave by seventy thousand angels who will pray and seek Allah's forgiveness for him till he is placed in his grave, and he will enter Paradise without a trial. Imam al-Kazim (as) has said, "Allah will never torment anyone who recites Surat al-Furqan every night, nor will He try him, and his residence will be in the highest level of Paradise."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said, "One who recites Surat-al-Shu'ara will receive ten good deeds for the number of all those who believed in Noah (as) and who disbelieved in Hud, Shu'ayb, Salih, Abraham, and Jesus, peace be upon them, as well as those who disbelieved in Muhammad (pbuh)." Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) is quoted saying that one who recites all chapters which begin with "Taa-Seen" will be among the true servants of Allah.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that one who recites this Chapter will receive ten good deeds for the number of each and everyone who believed in Sulayman (as) and who disbelieved in Hud, Salih, Shu'ayb, and Ibrahim, peace be upon them, and that he will get out of his grave shouting: "La Ilaaha Illa-llaah'

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that Allah will grant anyone who recites this Chapter ten good deeds for each and every believer and disbeliever in Moses (as).

Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) has said, "One who recites it will receive ten good deeds for the number of each and every believer and disbeliever." He (as) has also said, "One who recites both Surat al- Rum and al-'Ankabut during the twenty-third night of the month of Ramadan will, by Allah, be among the people of Paradise."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that one who recites Surat al-Rum will receive ten good deeds for each angel praising Allah between the earth and the heavens, and he will have compensated for whatever he missed during his day and night, adding, according to al-Kaf'ami, "I do not make any exception for it, nor do I fear (for having said so) that I am committing a sin (for making such a statement), and these Suras enjoy a special favor with Allah; I mean Surat al-'Ankabut and Surat al-Rum."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that whoever recites this Chapter will be in the companiony of Luqman (as) on the Day of Judgment, and he will be rewarded with ten good deeds for everyone who enjoins what is right and forbids what is wrong. He (as) has also said, "Whoever recites it during the night, Allah Almighty will assign thirty angels to protect him from Iblis and his hosts till the morning, and if he recites it during the day, they will protect him from Iblis and his hosts till the night."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that whoever recites Surat Luqman, Surat al-Sajdah, and Surat al-Mulk will be regarded as though he spent the entire night of Laylatul-Qadr worshipping the Al- mighty. Imam al-Sadiq (as) has also said, "If one reads it during Friday evening, Allah, the most Exalted One, will grant him his book (of reckoning) in his right hand, and He will not try him for what he had done, and he will be in the company of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his progeny."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said the following about this Chapter: "Whoever reads it and teaches it to his family and those whom his right hand possesses, will be granted security against the torment of the grave." Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) has said that one who reads it quite often will, on the Day of Judgment, be in the neighborhood of the Prophet (pbuh).

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said, "On the Day of Judgment, each and every prophet will greet and be the companion of anyone who recites Surat Saba'." Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) has said that whoever recites both Hamd Chapters on the eve of a Friday will remain protected by Allah, and so will his wealth, during his day, and he will not suffer anything evil and will be granted of the best of the life of this world and the life hereafter, so much so that no heart can ever desire more no matter how hard to satisfy it may be.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that one who recites Surat Fatir seeking thereby to please Allah will be called upon by each of the eight gates of Paradise to enter from whichever he desires.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said, "Anyone who enters a cemetery and recites Surat Ya-Sin will have then decreased their [the dead's] suffering and will receive good deeds equalling the number of those buried therein." He (pbuh) has also said that in the Torah it is described as the Chapter that crowns the one who recites it with the best of the life of this world and the life hereafter, and it wards off from him the trials of this life and the torment of the life to come. Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) is quoted saying that whoever recites this Chapter seeking the Pleasure of Allah will be forgiven and will be granted of the rewards as though he had recited the entire text of the Holy Qur'an twelve times. He (as) has also said, "For everything there is a heart, and the heart of the Qur'an is Chapter Ya-Sin; so, whoever recites it during the day will be protected and sustained till the night."

Ahmed ibn Idris quotes al-Ash'ari who quotes Muhammad ibn Hassan quoting Ibn Mahran quoting al-Bataini quoting Ibn al-'Alaa quoting Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) as saying that whoever recites it on a Friday will be protected from all worldly evils, sustained in the life of this world with the most generous portion of sustenance, and Allah will not let his wealth, or offspring, or body be affected by the mischief of any accursed Satan. Furthermore if he dies that day or night, he will die as a martyr and will be admitted into Paradise in the company of the martyrs and in their level of Paradise. He (as), as stated on p. 419 of al-Tibrisi's Makanm al-Akhlaq, is quoted as saying that this Chapter is recited by those who seek dignity in the life of this world and the life to come. The same is stated on p. 296, Vol. 89, of al-Majlisi's Bihar al-Anwar. Truly lucky are those blessed with reciting this glorious Chapter of the Holy Qur'an on a continuous basis for they will be honored in this life and the life to come. May Allah Ta'ala make us among them, Allahomma Aameen.

Ibn al-Bataini traces the isnad of the following tradition to 'Amr ibn Jubayr who quotes his father citing Imam Abu Ja'fer al-Baqir (as) saying, "One who recites Surat Sad during a Friday night will be granted of the good of this life and that of the hereafter what nobody else is granted except either a messenger-prophet or an angel near to Allah, and Allah will admit him into Paradise as well as all the members of his household whom he loves, including his servant, or anyone else."

Page 102 of Thawab al-A'mal details the rewards of the lucky ones who are blessed with reciting this Sura. Ibn al-Bataini quotes Sandal quoting Harun ibn Kharija quoting Abu Abdullah Imam Ja'fer al- Sadiq (as) saying: "Whoever memorizes this Sura will be granted by Allah dignity in this life and the life to come; He will be honored even if he has neither wealth nor populous lineage, and everyone will be in awe of him; He will prohibit hell from touching him and build him in Paradise a thousand cities, in each one of which will be a thousand mansions, each containing a hundred luzris. In addition, he will have two flowing fountains and two springs as well as two other ones in two gardens with dark-green foliage and other huns in pavilions confining their looks only to him, and he will have two pairs of each of the fruit trees (of Paradise)."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said, "The souls of each and every prophet, siddeeq, and believer will bless and seek forgiveness for anyone who recites this Sura." Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) has said that Allah will forgive all the past and future sins of anyone who recites it once every three nights, and that He will make him uphold righteous speech and make the life hereafter better for him than this life.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said, "Whoever recites it will be granted ten good deeds for each letter in it." Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) has said that it will be light for him on the Day of Judgment extended as long as his eyes can see, and a source of joy, and he will live in the life of this world praised, well-liked.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying, "Whoever recites Surat al-Shura will be among those whom the angels bless and for whom they will seek Allah's forgiveness and mercy." Imam Ja'fer-al- Sadiq (as) has said that one who recites it will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment with a face like a full moon.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that whoever recites this Chapter will on the Day of Judgment be among those addressed by Allah thus: "O My servants! There is no fear on you this Day, nor shall you grieve." Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) is quoted as saying that one who recites it quite often will receive security in his grave from Allah against everything harmful and against the constriction of the grave till he stands before Allah Ta'ala, and it will be this Chapter that will permit him to enter into Paradise.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted as saying that whoever recites this Sura on a Friday night will be forgiven and will receive for each of its verses the rewards of one who sets a hundred thousand slaves free, and seventy thousand angels will seek forgiveness for him; and Allah will build a mansion for whoever recites it on Fridays. Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) has said that one who recites it during his obligatory and optional prayers will be resurrected among those who will be secure and Allah will shade him with the shade of His 'Arsh and will try him an easy trial and give him his book (of reckoning) in his right hand.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said the following about this Chapter: 'The faults of whoever reads it will be covered by Allah, who will remove from him his fear when he is brought for judgment." Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) has said that whoever recites it shall never see the fire, and he will be in the company of Muhammad (pbuh).

Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) has said, "One who recites it will receive ten good deeds for each particle of sand in the world." He has also said, "One who recites it each night or each Friday night, Allah will not expose him to any fear in the life of this world and will receive security from the horrors of the Day of Judgment."

Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) is also quoted as saying that if one recites this Sura, it will be incumbent upon the Almighty, the Praised One, to let him drink of the rivers of Paradise, and that doubt will never enter his mind with regard to his creed.

Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) is quoted as saying that whoever recites this Chapter will be as though he was present when the Prophet (pbuh) opened Mecca and was with him when he (pbuh) received the oath of allegiance under the tree. Imam al-Sadiq (as) has also said the following with regard to this Chapter: "Fortify with it your wealth, women, and whatever your right hands possess against harm."

Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) has said that whoever recites this Sura will be granted good deeds for each and everyone who obeyed Allah Ta'ala and who disobeyed Him. Imam Ja'fer al-Sadiq (as) has said, "One who recites it every night or every day will be among those who will visit the Prophet (pbuh)."

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said the following about this Chapter: "Whoever reads it, Allah will make the agony of death easy for him," and also, "Whoever recites it quite often in his obligatory and optional prayers will receive an increase from Allah Ta'ala in his sustenance, and He will give him his book on his right hand and will try him with an easy trial."

Merits of Recitation of the Holy Qur'an

The Bismilla