Hazrat Umar (RA)

Hazrat Umar (RA) was one of the great Muslim Khalifa in history. H was also the best companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was born in a respectable Quraish family which was known for in depth knowledge of genealogy. Hence from childhood to manhood he became quite proficient in this branch of knowledge along with several other skills of swordsmanship, wrestling, and art of speaking. He chose to become a merchant like many other Arabs. The experience in trade gave him a keen insight into the affairs of men and ways to handle them. Umer (RA) personality was vibrant, self-assertive, frank and straight forward. He always spoke whatever was in his mind even if it displeased others. Because of these and many other eminent qualities he became the successor to Caliphate after Abu Bakr (RA).

Like many other Makkans, Umar was also against the spread of Islam. It enraged him so much one day that he swore to kill the Prophet. On his way he was informed that his own sister Fatima and her husband had accepted Islam too. He went straight to her house and beat her up. Her sister had been reading Quran before that. After the beatings subdued she said, “Umar (R.A), you can do what you like, but you cannot turn our hearts away from Islam.” These words had a strange effect on him and he demanded to hear what she had been reading. He was moved to the core by the words of the Qur’an and immediately grasped their truth. He went straight to the house where the Prophet was staying and vowed allegiance to him.

During his Khalifate Islamic state went through a vast expansion. Islam flourished and spread to Egypt, Iraq, Palestine and Iran. The greatness of Umar’s lied in his quality of leadership and expertness on Islamic jurist. He earned him the title Al-Faruq ("the one who distinguishes between right and wrong"). He was valiant and a strong disciplinary. Umar (R.A) gave his government an administrative structure. In a short period of 10 years he had many achievements and reforms done.

Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A) breathed his last on 26th Dhul-Hajj, 23 Hijri. He is buried next to the side of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). 

The Four Quls

There are four Quls in Quran i.e. Kaafiroon, Ikhlaas, Falaq and Naas. These are known as protecting powerful surahs. Surah Kaafiroon and Ikhlaas protects from shirk. Surah Ikhlaas is pure Tawheed and equal to 1/3rd of the Quran. Surahs falaq and naas protect from mischief of created things, envy, magic and the whisperings of the shaitaan. All the surahs start with the word ‘Qul’ which actually means ‘say’. Hence the four surahs are collectively called as ‘the four quls’. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would get revelations from Allah which would start with the word ‘say’ and he would exactly repeat the revelations to people. The four Quls start as:

Naas the first verse translates into:
[114.1] Say, 'I take refuge with the Lord of people,’
In Falaq:
[113.1] Say, 'I take refuge with the Lord of Daybreak’
In Ikhlaas:
[112.1] Say, 'He is Allah, the One,’
In Kaafiroon:
[109.1] Say, 'O unbelievers,’

The excellence of Surat-ul- Kaafiroon

Al Kaafiroon is equivalent to one fourth of Quran. Whoso ever recites surah al Ikhlaas and this surah before going to sleep, Allah would never let polytheism touch him. Furthermore if someone recites surah Kaafiroon and Ikhlaas in the obligatory  salats Allah would forgive his, his parents’ and his children’s sins, and if his name would be written in the register of virtuous and fortunate people, and on the day of judgment he would be raised with the martyrs. This surah along with Ikhlaas must be recited in the fajr prayer.

The excellence of Surat-ul- Ikhlaas

Al Kaafiroon is equivalent to one third of Quran. Whosoever recites surah al Ikhlaas before daybreak; also surah al Qadr and Ayat ul Kursi all fears would disappear, and the reciter would not do any wrong the whole day however much Iblis might try. It is also mentioned in one hadith that a sahabi always used to recite Surat-ul-Ikhlaas together with other Surahs in every rak'ah he used to perform. On being asked the reason, he replied that he loved this Surah very much. Upon this Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said "The love for this Surah will admit you into Jannah."

The excellence of Surat-ul -Falaq

Whoso recites, even from early age, every night 3 times surah al Falaq, 3 times surah al Naas, and 100 or 50 times surah al Ikhlaas, Allah would keep him safe from every evil-eye, all ailments that afflict children, all stomach ailments, low and high blood pressure; and so long as he keeps reciting like this he would remain safe from diseases till he dies. According to the Imams of Ahl ul Bayt it is better to recite surah al Falaq and surah al Ikhlaas in the rak-at of witr, in tahajjud.

The excellence of Surat-un- Naas

Whoso recites this surah on any pain-giving part of the body, the pain would disappear.
Whoso recites this surah before going to sleep he remains in the protection of Allah till morning; and there is protection and freedom from grief, sorrow, and pain for the reciter of this surah; and if it is recited in a house, it would remain free form jinn and evil spirits; and if written text of this surah is put around the neck of children as tawiz, they would remain safe from jinn.

It is mentioned in the Hadith that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said to a sahaba Uqbah bin Aamir (RA) : "Should I not teach you two Surahs which are beautiful in recitation?" Then he taught him the above two Surahs. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) then advised him to continue reciting them for he would never read any Surahs that are parallel (in beauty and excellence) to these two.

According to another Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:"Haven't you seen the (beautiful and strange) verses which were revealed during the night? You will not find their like at all. They are Qul A'oozu birabbil falaq and Qul A'oozu birabbin naas."