‫بسم اللہ الرمحن الرحیم‬

I recently heard that there is a narration that explains that the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬would
recite 20 chapters of the Qur’an in Tahajjud prayers. Is this true?
There are several narrations that suggest that the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬would recite from different parts of the Qur’an on
different nights. For example, Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) narrates that on one occasion, the
Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬recited and repeated the final ten verses of Surah Aal Imran in the eight Rak’ah of Tahajjud. (Sahih
Muslim, 763, Sunan Abu Daud, 1353) The general practice of the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬was to perform eight Rak’ah of Tahajjud
and recite in each Rak’ah a portion of the Qur’an equivalent to Surah Muzzammil (two and half pages). (Sunan Abu
Daud, 1365)

In relation to your specific query, the narration has been mentioned by Imam Bukhari (742), Imam Muslim (822) and
others. According to the narration of Sahih Muslim, on one occasion Nahik ibn Sinan approached Abdullah ibn Masud
(May Allah be pleased with him) and said to him, “O Abu Abdur Rahman, would you recite the following with an Alif or
Yaa ‫ مِنْ َما ٍء غَ ي ِْر آسِ ٍن‬or ‫( ”?مِنْ َما ٍء غَ ي ِْر يَاسِ ٍن‬Qur’an, 47:15) Abdullah ibn Masud replied, “Have you memorised the whole
Qur’an except this”. He replied, “I recite all the Mufassal chapters in one Rak’ah.” Abdullah ibn Masud replied, “Do you
recite it as quickly as one recites poetry? Verily there are people who recite the Qur’an, but it does not go down
beyond their collar bones. The Qur’an is beneficial if it enters the heart and is embedded in it. The best actions of Salah
are bowing and prostration. Verily, I am aware of the similar chapters; the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬would combine two in each
Rak’ah.”

The detail of the 20 chapters is related by Imam Abu Daud in his Sunan (1396) and is authentic. The Prophet ‫ﷺ‬
would recite two similar chapters in each Rak'ah: he would recite:

1. Surah an-Najm (53) and Surah ar-Rahman (55) in one Rak'ah;

2. Surah Iqtarabat (54) and Surah al-Haqqah (69) in one Rak'ah;
3. Surah at-Tur (52) and Surah adh-Dhariyat (51) in one Rak'ah;
4. Surah al-Waqi'ah (56) and Surah Nun (68) in one Rak'ah;
5. Surah al-Ma'arij (70) and Surah an-Nazi'at (79) in one Rak'ah;
6. Surah al-Mutaffifin (83) and Surah ‘Abasa (80) in one Rak'ah;
7. Surah al-Muddath’thir (74) and Surah al-Muzzammil (73) in one Rak'ah;
8. Surah al-Insan (76) and Surah al-Qiyamah (75) in one Rak'ah;
9. Surah an-Naba' (78) and Surah al-Mursalat (77) in one Rak'ah; and
10. Surah ad-Dukhan (44) and Surah at-Takwir (81) in one Rak'ah.

Imam Abu Daud explains that this is in accordance with the order of the Mushaf of Abdullah ibn Masud (May Allah be
pleased with him). The similarity of the chapters mentioned by Abdullah Ibn Masud either relates to the similarity in
length or similarity in the content and messages contained within the chapters. The letter is the preferred view of the
scholars. (Fathul Bari, 2:259; Badhlul Majhood, 5:327).

We also learn from this and other narrations that the Qur’an should be recited slowly without haste, ensuring each
letter is pronounced and each word is understood. Each letter of the Qur’an should be given its due and recited clearly,
for each letter counts as ten good deeds. Moulana Rashid Ahmed Gangohi (May Allah have mercy on him) explains that
it is undoubtedly preferable to recite less from the Qur’an but to recite it with the correct pronunciation. (al-Kawkab
ad-Durri, 1:474) ‘Allamah Shabbir Ahmed Uthmani (May Allah have mercy on him) explains that according to the
majority of scholars it is disliked to recite the Qur’an very quickly and it is encouraged to recite the Qur’an slowly and
with contemplation. (Fathul Mulhim, 4:255) Hafiz ibn Hajar Asqalani (May Allah have mercy on him) affirms this and
adds that recitation with contemplation has greater reward. (Fathul Bari, 742).

Allah knows best

Yusuf Shabbir (Blackburn, UK)

1 Jumada al-Ula 1436 H – 19 February 2015

Checked and approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmed Sahib