Surah Yaseen & its virtues

It is commonly known that Surah Yaseen is the “heart” of the Quran.

Why is this?

In our bodies, the heart is considered to be the most important organ. It supplies the entire body with blood to keep us functioning. Without the heart, the body cannot live. It is to emphasise the great importance of Surah Yaseen that it is called the “heart” of the Quran.

Therefore, reading Surah Yaseen comes with many benefits which true believers must not miss out on.

Surah Yaseen is a Makkan surah, revealed during the time the Messenger of Allah (SAW) lived in Makkah.

The Makkan Surahs focus upon three main aspects of Imaan (faith):

• Tawhid (the Oneness of Allaah)

• Risalah (that he is a messenger sent by Allah to guide all of creation and he receives divine revelation)

• The reality of the al-Aakhirah and what will be encountered therein.

Surah Ya-Sin’s (36) placement within the mus-haf, it follows Saba (34) and Faatir (35) which are also Makkan Surahs. Saba and Faatir are also Makkan Surahs so there focus is to discuss Tawhid, Risalah, and Al-Aakhirah.

Ya-Sin continues with these themes, but it takes a different tone. It starts by focusing more heavily on the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW). Faatir did discuss the Prophethood and the importance of believing in the Messenger of Allah (SAW), but mainly focuses on Tawhid. Surah Ya-Sin places a heavy emphasis on the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW).

There are many Ahaadith which talk about the benefits of reading Surah Yaseen. In today’s Halqah, we shall take a look at several hadith which mention the benefits of reading Surah Yaseen.

What are some of the benefits of reading Surah Yaseen?

1. Reading Surah Yaseen at the beginning of the day causes Allah to fulfil all your needs for that day.

Hadhrat ‘Ataa’ bin Abi Ribaah (RA) says that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said, “ Whoever reads Surah Yaseen in the beginning of the day, all his needs for that day are fulfilled.”

2. Reading Surah Yaseen is equivalent to reading the whole Quran 10 times.

“Everything has a heart and the heart of the Glorious Quran is Surah Yaseen. Whoever reads Surah Yaseen, Allah records for them a reward equal to that of reading the whole Quran 10 times.” [Maqal, Tirmidhi 2812/A &Dhahabi]

3. Reading Surah Yaseen and memorising Surah Yaseen invokes the blessings of Allah.

It is said that Allah recited Surah Yaseen and Surah Taha 1000 years before the creation of Heaven and Earth, and upon hearing this, the angels said, “Blessing is for the Ummah unto whom the Quran will be sent down; blessing is for the hearts that will memorise it, and blessing is for the tongues that will recite it.”

4. Reading Surah Yaseen invokes the mercy of Allah to forgive your sins.

“Whoever reads Surah Yaseen for the pleasure of Allah alone, all his earlier sins are forgiven. Therefore make a practice of reading this Surah over your dead.”

Read Surah Yaseen at every beginning of the day and every end of the day to have your prayers answered. Make sure you read it with knowledge and understanding. If you do not know Arabic, read a trusted translation of the Surah.

5. Reading Surah Yaseen benefits the reader in this life as well as in the Hereafter.

According to one hadith, Surah Yaseen is named in the Torah as “Mun’imah” i.e. Giver of Good Things. This is because it contains benefits of the reader both in this world and the next. It removes from them the afflictions of this worlds and the next. Surah Yaseen also takes away the dread of the next life. [Hashiya (footnote) of Tafsir Jalalalayn, pg 368].

6. Reading Surah Yaseen exalts the status of the believers both in this world and the next.

Surah Yaseen is also known as “Raafi’ahKhaafidhah” i.e. that which exalts the status of the believers and degrades the unbelievers. According to a Riwayat (narration), Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “My heart desires that Surah Yaseen should be present in the heart of everyone of my ummah.” So memorise Surah Yaseen to reap its benefits.

Imam Ghazali (RH) has said,

"Soundness of faith rests on acknowledging resurrection and judgment."

Since Surah Yaseen talks about both resurrection and judgement in a detailed manner, it contains so many virtues.

7. Reading Surah Yaseen causes you to die as a Shaheed.

According to one hadith, if anyone recites Surah Yaseen every night and then dies, they die as a Shaheed (martyr).

8. Reading Surah Yaseen wipes out sins, alleviates hunger and guides the lost.

“Whoever reads Surah Yaseen is forgiven; whoever reads it in hunger is satisfied; whoever reads it having lost their way, finds their way; whoever reads it on losing an animal, finds it. When one reads it apprehending that their food will run short, that food becomes sufficient. If one reads it beside a person who is in the throes of death, these are made easy for them. If anyone reads it on a woman experiencing difficulty in child-birth, her delivery becomes easy.”

Imam Tibi explained in his commentary on Mishkat al-Masabih that Surah Yaseen was called ‘the Heart of the Quran "because of what it contains of overwhelming proofs, decisive signs, subtle spiritual meanings, eloquent admonition, and stern warning."

9. Reading Surah Yaseen abolishes fear from your heart.

Maqri (RH) said, “If Surah Yaseen is read by one who fears the ruler or an enemy, one gets rid of this fear.”

10. Reading Surah Yaseen makes your dua’s to be answered.

According to one hadith, if somebody reads Surah Yaseen and Surah Was-Saaffaat on Friday and begs Allah something, their prayer is granted.

11. Read Surah Yaseen in the night for all your sins to be forgiven.

The Prophet said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Yasin in the night seeking Allah’s pleasure, Allah would forgive him’ [Ibn Hibban, Darimi 3283/A, Abu Yala, Tabarani, Baihaqi& Ibn Mardawaih]