This surah is among a few surahs in the Quran that have been repeatedly emphasised and recommended to be recited every night.
- It is reported that the Holy Prophet used to recite Sūrat al-Sajdah (32) and this surah every night, even when he was travelling.
- The Holy Prophet is reported to have said: ‘I yearn that it [this surah] be in the heart of every believer [or every person among my nation].’ He also said: ‘Whoever recites Sūrat Tabāraka, it is as if he has stayed awake [in worship] on the Night of Ordainment (laylat al-qadr).’
- There are several traditions from the Holy Prophet, the Imams, and the companions saying that this surah is also called The Rescuer (al-munjiyah) and The Protector (al-māniʿah), for it shall indeed protect and save its reciter from the punishment of the grave and shall intercede for him in the hereafter. Imam al-Bāqir (a) said: ‘Sūrat al-Mulk is The Protector: it protects one against the punishment of the grave. It is also written in the Torah as Sūrat al-Mulk. Whoever recites it at night has indeed done ample and splendid [worship], and will not be counted among the heedless. Indeed I recite it in the supererogatory prayer that I perform while seated after the ʿishāʾ If one recites it on a daily basis during his life, when the two angels Nākir and Nakīr enter his grave from his foot-side, his feet will tell them: “You have no access to what is beyond us, for indeed this servant used to stand on us and recite Sūrat al-Mulk every day and night.” When the two angels approach him from his stomach, it will tell them: “You have no access from here on, for indeed this servant has retained Sūrat al-Mulk [within himself].” When they approach his tongue, it tells them: “You have no access to what lies behind me, for indeed this servant used to recite Sūrat al-Mulk every day and night.”’
- Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) said: ‘Whoever recites Blessed is He in whose hand is all kingdom in an obligatory prayer [i.e. the ʿishāʾ prayer] before he sleeps shall be continually in God’s protection until he enters the morning, and shall be in God’s protection on the Day of Resurrection until he enters paradise.’
These narrations suggest that this surah brings about a fundamental change in one’s thoughts and actions, such that the person will be rescued from errors, for the punishment of the grave and the hereafter is nothing but our errors and wrongdoings being returned to us. These rewards are completely in line with the content of the surah, which is one of awakening mankind to come to his senses, ponder upon his life and existence, and prepare for his journey and destination.
It is also noteworthy that there is a close affinity between this surah and Sūrat al-Sajdah (32) in terms of content. The Prophet used to recite both together. This surah can also be considered as an abridged version of Sūrat Yā Sīn (36), as most of its verses are closely related to those of Sūrat Yā Sīn, and they are both among the surahs that have been repeatedly recommended to be recited every day.
[1] Suyuti, 6/247. [2] Suyuti, 6/246-247; Tabrisi, 10/481. [3] Tabrisi, 10/481. [4] Tabrisi, 10/481; Suyuti, 6/246-247. [5] Tabrisi, 10/481-482. [6] Thawab, p. 119.