The benefit of reciting surah waqiah goes beyond reflection on the afterlife—it’s often linked to attracting wealth and blessings. But is this belief supported by authentic Islamic sources? In this article, we uncover the real meaning of Surah Al-Waqiah, its message about the Hereafter, and what scholars say about its connection to sustenance.
Summary of Surah Al-Waqiah
Surah Al-Waqiah is a Meccan surah that was revealed to strongly affirm the reality of the Day of Judgment and its terrifying events. It was named “Al-Waqiah” (The Inevitable) after its opening verse:
“إِذَا وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ”
“When the Inevitable Event takes place,”
The word “Al-Waqiah” means “the great event,” which is one of the names of the Day of Judgment. It is called so because of the certainty of its occurrence and the many severe events that will happen on that day.
The surah divides people into three categories, and each group’s fate is determined by their deeds in this life:
- The Foremost (Al-Sabiqun): Those with the highest ranks in Paradise.
- The People of the Right (Ahl al-Yamin): Believers who will enter Paradise but with middle or lower ranks.
- The People of the Left (Ahl ash-Shimal): Disbelievers who will be in Hell.
Main Themes of Surah Al-Waqiah:
- A reminder of the Day of Judgment and confirmation that it will surely happen, along with a description of what will occur in the world at that time.
- The state of the people of Paradise and some of the blessings they will enjoy.
- The state of the people of Hell, the torment they will endure, and how their rejection of resurrection led them to this fate.
- Evidence of the possibility of resurrection and that Allah can bring people back to life for judgment and reward.
- Evidence of Allah’s power in the creation of humans, the descending of rain, and the growth of crops.
- Confirmation that the Qur’an is revealed by Allah.
- Proofs of Allah’s power, such as His ability to take souls from bodies—something no one can prevent.
By reflecting on the summary of Surah Al-Waqiah, a believer rethinks the value of worldly life and prepares for the Hereafter through good deeds.
For many believers, the benefit of reciting Surah Waqiah is to strengthen their faith and remind themselves of the reality of the Day of Judgment.
hadith about surah waqiah
A well-known authentic hadith about surah waqiah is:
“حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاءِ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ شَيْبَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، قَدْ شِبْتَ، قَالَ: شَيَّبَتْنِي هُودٌ، وَالْوَاقِعَةُ، وَالْمُرْسَلاتُ، وَعَمَّ يَتَسَاءَلُونَ، وَإِذَا الشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ.”
“Ibn Abbas said: Abu Bakr said: “O Messenger of Allah, you have grayed!” He said: ‘I have been made gray-haired by Hud (Al-Qur’an; 11)), the calamity (Al-Qur’an; 56)), the winds sent forth (Al-Qur’an; 77)). what will they question one another about?’ (Al-Qur’an; 74)). and ‘when the sun is overthrown’ (Al-Qur’an; 81)’.”
(Ash-Shama’il Al-Muhammadiyah 41)
The Prophet ﷺ said this because of the intense descriptions in this surah about the punishment in the Hereafter and the detailed descriptions of Paradise.
There are also many other hadiths that mention the benefit of reciting surah waqiah, but most of them are weak and cannot be relied upon.
Does Surah Al-Waqiah increase wealth?
Many people believe that reciting Surah Al-Waqiah brings wealth and rizq. However, this has not been authentically confirmed from the Prophet ﷺ. They refer to the following hadith:
عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْوَاقِعَةِ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ لَمْ تُصِبْهُ فَاقَةٌ أَبَدًا» . وَكَانَ ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ يَأْمُرُ بَنَاتَهُ يَقْرَأْنَ بهَا فِي كل لَيْلَة. رَوَاهُ الْبَيْهَقِيّ فِي شعب الْإِيمَان
Ibn Mas’ūd reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who recites sūra al-Waqi’a (Qur’ān, 56) every night will never be afflicted by want.” Ibn Mas’ūd used to order his daughters to recite it every night.
Transmitted by Baihaqī in Shu’ab al-īmān.(Mishkat al-Masabih 2181)
However, scholars like Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn al-Jawzi, Al-Daraqutni, and Al-Bayhaqi stated that this hadith is weak.
Proven Ways to Increase Provision (Rizq) According to the Prophet ﷺ:
- St riving for provision and trusting Allah
Working hard, taking the means, and seeking forgiveness are among the reasons for increasing sustenance. As Allah says:
“فَقُلْتُ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارًۭا * يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًۭا”
“saying, ‘Seek your Lord’s forgiveness, ˹for˺ He is truly Most Forgiving.*He will shower you with abundant rain,”
- Being kind to parents and maintaining family ties also increases provision, as the Prophet ﷺ said:
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، وَيَعْقُوبُ بْنُ كَعْبٍ، – وَهَذَا حَدِيثُهُ – قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يُبْسَطَ لَهُ فِي رِزْقِهِ وَيُنْسَأَ لَهُ فِي أَثَرِهِ فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ ” .
Anas reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Anyone who is pleased that his sustenance is expanded and his age extended should do kindness to his near relatives. (Sunan Abi Dawud 1693)
- Observing Taqwa (God-consciousness) is also one of the reasons for increased provision. Allah says:
“وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجاً * وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَحْتَسِبُ “[الطلاق:2-3].
“And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them * and provide for them from sources they could never imagine.”
(At-Talaq 2-3 )
We’ve answered the question: Does Surah Al-Waqiah increase wealth? We’ve also confirmed—with evidence—that the hadith commonly quoted about this is weak and cannot be relied upon
Best Times to Recite Surah Waqiah
It is commonly believed that the Best Times to Recite Surah Waqiah is before sleeping. However, there is no authentic narration from the Prophet ﷺ specifying a particular time for its recitation.
The earlier hadith reported by Ibn Mas’ud has been declared weak by scholars and cannot be taken as evidence.
A Muslim is encouraged to read any part of the Qur’an at any time, day or night unless there is a clear and authentic hadith restricting it to a specific time.
Conclusion
Surah Al-Waqiah is a powerful reminder of the Day of Judgment. Its verses encourage reflection, strengthen faith, and guide believers to prepare for the Hereafter. While many believe in the benefit of reciting surah waqiah as a way to increase wealth, this is not supported by authentic hadith. However, reading the surah regularly remains spiritually rewarding and helps deepen one’s understanding of the Hereafter.
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