Reciting Surah Al-Baqarah: Daily Practice or Occasional Protection?

Understanding the Role of Surah Al-Baqarah in Islamic Home Practices

Question: In Sahih Muslim (780), there is a hadith stating, “Do not turn your houses into graves. Satan flees from the house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited.” Does this hadith imply that Surah Al-Baqarah should be recited in its entirety every day?

Answer: The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not tell us to recite Surah Al-Baqarah daily in this hadith. Instead, he mentioned that reciting Surah Al-Baqarah protects against jinn and shayateen. Therefore, whenever it is convenient, one should recite Surah Al-Baqarah in the house, and if desired, the recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah can be played in the house. However, this does not have to be a daily practice, nor is it required that only Surah Al-Baqarah be recited. The entire Quran is a source of healing, so the whole Quran should be recited.

Additionally, not only should Quranic recitation take place in the home, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) also instructed that prayers should be performed there. A house where no prayers are performed has been likened to a graveyard, as narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Perform some of your prayers at home, and do not turn your houses into graves” (Sahih Muslim 777).

Thus, we should recite the Quran at home, pray, and implement all that Allah and His Messenger have instructed to protect our homes and lives. Women can perform their complete prayers at home, while men should pray obligatory prayers at the mosque and perform sunnah and nafl prayers at home.

Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah 

Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia  

Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail