Can Certain Verses of the Qur’an Be Recited to Achieve Certain Aims?
Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan
Question: I came across a book called that says every verse of the Quran is full of power and effect because it is the word of Allah, the Powerful. To recite a particular verse or surah for certain purpose is one of the sunnahs of the Prophet. I think he then mentioned an example of the Prophet(s) reciting from Surah Yaseen when people had came to kill him(peace and blessings be upon him).
1) I would like to know if that is true. Is there really power and effect in each verse of Quran or even if we recite a part of it and is it really Sunnah to do so for various objectives/purposes? If so, do we just pick any verse that relates to some need or desire we have and keeping that in mind, do we recite that verse or part from the Quran? And how do we know how many times to recite or do we just do it whenever we feel like or are able to?
2) If we recite a verse/part of a verse from the Quran to obtain or achieve something, like one of the duas of prophet Musa (as) for memory, does that bring the same rewards and barakah as reciting the Quran? Should we give preference to duas from the Quran over duas found in hadith and our own personal duas in our own languages?
3) In the book, there are various verses or parts of verses from the Quran mentioned for various purposes/objectives and it says like to read the verse a certain number of times and/or to blow on water then drink it or something. I would like to know if those have any basis and can I really hope to get the benefits mentioned by following the recommendations in the book.
Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,
I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.
(1) Various Qur’anic verses can be recited in specific circumstances, for certain situations. There is proof of this from the sunna itself, as you mention regarding the Prophet’s recitation of the opening of Sura Yasin when leaving his house so as not to be killed (peace and blessings be upon him).
However, this is something that is usually taken from a qualified shaykh or scholar, not something for us to try on our own. What we have been commanded and encouraged to do is to read the Qur’an with reflection and longing for Allah, and to develop a relationship with Allah through reciting His words regularly and consistency, however little we can. This is the point, and this is our aim.
(2) A dua, even if from the Qur’an, is a different type of worship than recitation of Qur’an, as Qur’an. Both have their rewards and merits, and both are strongly recommended by the Qur’an and prophetic sunna.
Qur’anic duas are definitely powerful duas that we should use regularly, but one may also use duas from the hadith literature as well as duas used by various Companions, scholars and saints of our tradition: all is light, and if your heart inclines towards certain duas in particular, then use them. The point is to call on Allah and ask with sincerity and love, while in a state of need and lowliness before the Divine.
(3) I don’t know.
And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz A. Khan
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani
