Q.1 Could you please let me know how the Prophet (peace be upon him) read the last two surahs, known as Al-Mu’awadhatayn? Did he say Bismillahi Al-Rahman Al-Raheem once at the beginning, or twice, with the second separating the two surahs?
Tariq Abdelhadi
Q.2 Does reading the last three surahs earn special reward? Can we read the Qur’an from memory, or say salam, without having performed the ablution, or wudhu?
Z. Kormath
A.1 There is a historical difference among scholars on the status of Bismillahi Al-Rahman Al-Raheem with regard to its position at the beginning of every surah in the Qur’an, except Surah 9, Repentance. The phrase means “in the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent.” Many scholars consider it as one verse of the first surah, Al-Fatihah, and other surahs as well, while others do not consider it a verse of any surah.
But all agree that it constitutes part of a verse in Surah 27, Al-Naml. This difference expresses itself in how it is read in prayer, with the first group supporting the view that it should be read aloud when the Imam is reading aloud, while others prefer that it should be read quietly, with no audible voice.
There are Hadiths supporting both views, all relying on good authority and authentic reporting. When we take them all together, we may conclude that the Prophet (peace be upon him) did both versions, sometimes reading this phrase aloud and sometimes reading it in private while reading the text of the surah aloud. As to which he did more often, this is difficult to say. Hence both methods are acceptable.
How the Prophet recited the last two surahs on a particular occasion is very difficult to say unless we have a Hadith which gives us the necessary information. To the best of my knowledge, we do not have such a Hadith.
But the lack of information does not prevent us from reading the two surahs as the Prophet has guided us to do. Whether we read the phrase in question aloud or in private does not make much difference. It should be read. The two surahs should be separated with reading it because they are two distinct surahs and not one surah in two parts.
A.2 The last three surahs are short and very comprehensive. The first of the three emphasizes God’s oneness, and the other two seek shelter with Him against evil perpetrated by Satan and by other humans. The Prophet recommended reading these surahs in different situations, such as early in the morning and as the night approaches, and before going to bed. There is the normal reward for reading the Qur’an, and the answering of the prayer included in them.
It is always better when doing any act of worship to perform ablution first, but it is not obligatory except when offering prayers and doing tawaf. Reading the Qur’an is an act of worship, and it is recommended to have ablution before reading, whether we are reading from memory or holding a copy of the Qur’an. To say salam without having performed ablution is perfectly appropriate.
