What is the virtue of reciting Surah Mulk and Surah Sajdah at night?
ANSWER
In light of the following Hadiths, it is commendable to recite these Surahs every night.
1) Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would not sleep until he recited Surah Sajdah and Surah Mulk
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2892, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. 412)
Imam Hakim and Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahumallah) have declared the above Hadith authentic.
2) Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said regarding Surah Mulk:
‘A Surah containing thirty verses which will intercede on behalf of it’s reciter until he is forgiven.’
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2891, Abu Dawud, Hadith: 1395, Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 787 and Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 565 )
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has graded the above Hadith as sound (hasan). Imam Hakim and Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahumallah) have authenticated the Hadith.
3) Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayi wa sallam) said:
‘A Surah of the Quran, that consists of merely thirty verses will argue on behalf of one who recites it until he is admitted into Jannah, it is Surah Mulk’.
(Tabarani in Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 3654)
Hafiz Haythami (rahimahullah) has classified the above narration as authentic. Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has also declared the above narration authentic (sahih)
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 7 pg. 127, Refer: Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 4726)
4) Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) says:
Whomsoever recites Surah Mulk every night, Allah will protect him from the punishment of the grave by virtue of this Surah. In the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) we named this Surah ‘Al Mani’ah’ (prevents the punishment of the grave).
( Nasa’i, Hadith: 10479, Tabarani in al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 10254)
Hafiz Haythami (rahimahullah) has authenticated the above narration. ‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) has classified the above narration as good (jayyid).
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 7 pg. 127, Ad Durrul Manthur, vol. 6 pg. 380)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala