Surah Waqiah is one of the most important surahs of the Holy Quran. As the 56th Chapter of the Holy Book, this Surah holds immense rewards for believers when recited. In addition to that, Surah Waqiah is a dedicated Surah of the Holy Quran describing the reality of the ‘Day of Judgment. That’s why this Makki Surah gets its name as Al Waqiah, meaning ‘The Inevitable event’ (refers to the Day of Judgement).
The core benefit of this Surah is that it motivates the reader to be more righteous and prepare for the hereafter. That’s why the best recommended time to recite Surah Waqiah is during the night before going to bed. It serves as a reminder for the person as he/she concludes the day.
What is Surah Waqiah? An Overview of the 56th Chapter
Surah Waqiah is the 56th Chapter of the Holy Quran. It is a Surah that was revealed to the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) in Makkah. Therefore, it’s categorised as the ‘Makki’ surah. Surah Waqiah consist of 96 verses and is present in the 27th Para between Surah Ar-Rahman and Surah Al-Hadid.
The word ‘Waqiah’ translates to ‘The Event’ and in the Quranic context it is used to describe the ‘Day of Judgment’. The core themes told in this Surah revolve around the hereafter.
The Virtues and Benefits of Reciting Surah Waqiah
Allah Almighty has blessed the Holy Quran with infinite virtues and benefits. Surah Waqiah is known to have both spiritual and financial benefits for the believers with its regular recitation.
Protection from Poverty: The “Surah of Wealth”
Surah Waqiah has its second name as ‘Surah of Wealth’ because of its financial blessings for the reciter. This research has the power to remove poverty and financial difficulties of the believer with regular recitation. Many scholars and Islamic traditions present Surah Waqiah as a protection from poverty and financial adversity. That’s why it’s recommended for a person to recite this surah daily and avoid all sorts of financial problems.
Spiritual Rewards and Blessings (Barakah)
Surah Waqiah also brings numerous spiritual rewards and blessings for the believers in the form of Barakah. When a person regularly recites this surah, it strengthens belief because of its context of the afterlife and the Day of Judgment. Since this surah also mentions Allah’s signs in the creation of human life and the facilities Allah gave to humans, it is also your source of increasing gratitude and thankfulness towards Allah Almighty. Lastly, this Surah also motivates a believer to prepare for the hereafter to be among the successful people.
When is the Best Time to Read Surah Waqiah?
Muslims can recite Surah Waqiah or the Holy Quran itself anywhere, anytime; there’s no hard and fast rule for doing so. However, several Islamic teachings are recommended several times as spiritually more rewarding and significant for the recitation of a specific Surah. Surah Waqiah is one of them and advises the believers to recite during the nighttime, right before going to sleep.
Why is reciting after Maghrib or Isha recommended?
Reciting Surah Waqiah after Maghrib or Isha is recommended for several reasons.
- It is a time of peace and calm with minimal distractions around. Therefore, you can indulge in recitation with more focus and concentration.
- Recitation before going to sleep helps you protect yourself from all sorts of evil and ensures protection by Allah Almighty.
- Offers a medium for self-reflection and correction as a person concludes his/her day because it serves as a reminder of the afterlife.
That’s why many scholars and Islamic teachings recommend that you should recite this surah after Maghrib or Isha.
Surah Waqiah Translation and Key Themes
Surah Waqiah is a great reminder for a believer about the Day of Judgement and the violent nature it holds for the world. It highlights the key events like shaking of the earth, mountains crumbling into dust and ensures the validity of the Day of Judgement.
Descriptions of Paradise (Jannah) and the Afterlife
Surah Waqiah extensively describes the luxuries for the successful people of Jannah. At the same time, it also tells you about the people of Jahannam and the punishment they will endure.
The Three Classes of People on the Day of Judgment
Three classes of people will be present on the day of Judgment, as narrated in Surah Waqiah.
- As-Sabiqun: foremost or people closest to Allah. These are the people who get the highest levels of Paradise.
- Ashab Al-Yameen; People of the Right. These are the people who will also get Jannah but are below the level of As-Sabiqun.
- Ashab Al-Shimal; People of the Left. These are the people whose destination is Jahannam.
Authentic Hadiths Regarding Surah Al-Waqiah
There’s a hadith present about Surah Al-Waqiah and the importance of the message it holds. It is present in Jami` at-Tirmidhi (3297) that the Holy Prophet (SAWW) said that Surah Waqiah has caused ageing in him, and he had gone grey because of the profound weight the message of this Surah holds for the believers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to Surah Waqiah instead of reading it?
Yes, you can listen to Surah Waqiah instead of reading it. Listening to the Holy Quran or any verse of it is also an act rewarded by Allah, the Almighty. However, recitation of Surah Waqiah holds greater rewards.
Is there a specific number of times to recite it?
There is no specific number of times advised for believers to recite Surah Waqiah. You can recite this siurah as many times as you want; there’s no restriction in it.
Does reciting Surah Waqiah guarantee wealth?
Yes, reciting Surah Waqiah removes poverty and financial difficulties for a believer. While there is no authentic hadith present on the subject, many scholars and Islamic traditions point towards this benefit.
What are the main themes of Surah Waqiah?
The main themes of Surah Waqiah are the;
- Certainty of the Day of Judgment.
- Division of people into three groups (As-Sabiqun; foremost; Ashab Al-Yameen; people of right; and Ashab Al-Shimal; people of left.
- Descriptions of Paradise and Hell.
- Allah’s signs in the creation of Human life and the facilities.
Why is Surah Waqiah called the “Surah of Wealth”?
Surah Waqiah is also called the ‘Surah of Wealth’ because its recitation is believed to remove financial adversity and increase sustenance for a believer.
Can I recite Surah Waqiah on my phone without Wudu?
Yes, you can recite Surah Waqiah on your phone without Wudu because you are not technically ‘touching’ the holy Quran. However, it’s better to make wudu if you can easily.
Is it better to read Surah Waqiah after Maghrib or Isha?
There’s no restriction in reading Surah Waqiah after Maghrib or Isha, i.e. you can recite anytime. However, reciting it before going to sleep, i.e. after Isha, is highly recommended by scholars.
How long does it take to recite Surah Waqiah?
The time required to recite Surah Waqiah is a subjective thing that varies for every reader. However, on average, you can expect around 10-15 minutes.
Which Sahaba (Companion) was known for reciting Surah Waqiah daily?
Abdullah ibn Maood (RA) was the Sahaba who was known for reciting Surah Waqiah every night and also instructed his daughters to do the same.
What is the meaning of the word “Al-Waqiah”?
Al-Waqiah means ‘The Event’ or ‘The Inevitable’. In the Islamic context, it refers to the inevitable event of the Day of Judgment, which is certain.
Can I recite Surah Waqiah for my business success?
Yes, you can recite Surah Waqiah for your business success because it is believed to offer financial prosperity and protection from poverty.
Is it okay to play an audio recording of Surah Waqiah in my house?
Yes, it is not only permissible but also recommended to plan an audio recording of Surah Waqiah in your house for blessings from Allah Almighty.
Can women recite Surah Waqiah during their monthly cycle?
Women can recite Surah Waqiah from memory or from a digital screen without physically touching the holy Quran during their monthly cycle. However, some scholars say that it’s better to do dhikr in the heart than verbally recite the holy Quran during these days.
How many Ayat (verses) are in Surah Waqiah?
There are 96 Ayah (verses) in Surah Waqiah.
In which Para (Juz) is Surah Waqiah located?
Surah Waqiah is present in the 27th Para between Surah Ar-Rahman and Surah Al-Hadid.
Is Surah Waqiah a Makki or Madani Surah?
Surah Waqiah is a Makki Surah because it was revealed to the Holy Prophet (SAWW) in Makkah.
What is the difference between Surah Waqiah and Surah Ar-Rahman?
Surah Waqiah speaks about the certainty of the Day of Judgment and describes the three groups of humanity in the hereafter. Surah Ar-Rahman, on the other hand, tells us repeatedly about Allah’s mercy and blessings in both worlds.
Should I read Surah Mulk or Surah Waqiah first at night?
You can read any Surah; there’s no restriction in reading Surah Mulk first and Surah Waqiah after or vice versa.