A collection of hadiths regarding the surahs which prophet (pbuh) used to recite during the Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha'a prayers.
Narrated Aisha (r.a): The Prophet (ﷺ) never missed four rakat before the Zuhr prayer and two rakat before the Fajr prayer.
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُنْتَشِرِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ لاَ يَدَعُ أَرْبَعًا قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْغَدَاةِ. تَابَعَهُ ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ وَعَمْرٌو عَنْ شُعْبَةَ.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1182; Book 19, Hadith 59; Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 276
It was also narrated from Umm Habibah that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Twelve rak'ahs, whoever prays them Allah will build for him a house in Paradise: four rak'ahs before Zuhr and two rak'ahs after Zuhr, two rak'ahs before Asr, two rak'ahs after Maghrib and two rak'ahs before Subh prayer." (Grade: Sahih)
أَخْبَرَنَا الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا أَبُو الأَسْوَدِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي بَكْرُ بْنُ مُضَرَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَجْلاَنَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ الْهَمْدَانِيِّ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ أَوْسٍ، عَنْ عَنْبَسَةَ بْنِ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ أُمِّ حَبِيبَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً مَنْ صَلاَّهُنَّ بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْعَصْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ " .
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1801; Book 20, Hadith 204; Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1802
Abu Sa'eed also narrated that: Allah's Messenger said: "the key to Salat is the purification, its Tahrim is the Takbir, and its Tahlilis the Taslim, and there is no Salat for one who did not recite Al-Hamd and a Surah in the obligatory (prayer) or other prayers." (Grade: Da'if)
حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ وَكِيعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفُضَيْلِ، عَنْ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، طَرِيفٍ السَّعْدِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي نَضْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلاَةِ الطُّهُورُ وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ وَلاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بــ"الْحَمْدُ" وَسُورَةٍ _ فِي فَرِيضَةٍ أَوْ غَيْرِهَا " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ وَعَائِشَةَ . قَالَ وَحَدِيثُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فِي هَذَا أَجْوَدُ إِسْنَادًا وَأَصَحُّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ وَقَدْ كَتَبْنَاهُ فِي أَوَّلِ كِتَابِ الْوُضُوءِ . وَالْعَمَلُ عَلَيْهِ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَنْ بَعْدَهُمْ . وَبِهِ يَقُولُ سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ وَابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ وَالشَّافِعِيُّ وَأَحْمَدُ وَإِسْحَاقُ أَنَّ تَحْرِيمَ الصَّلاَةِ التَّكْبِيرُ وَلاَ يَكُونُ الرَّجُلُ دَاخِلاً فِي الصَّلاَةِ إِلاَّ بِالتَّكْبِيرِ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَسَمِعْتُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ أَبَانَ مُسْتَمْلِيَ وَكِيعٍ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ مَهْدِيٍّ يَقُولُ لَوِ افْتَتَحَ الرَّجُلُ الصَّلاَةَ بِسَبْعِينَ اسْمًا مِنْ أَسْمَاءِ اللَّهِ وَلَمْ يُكَبِّرْ لَمْ يُجْزِهِ وَإِنْ أَحْدَثَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ أَمَرْتُهُ أَنْ يَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعَ إِلَى مَكَانِهِ فَيُسَلِّمَ إِنَّمَا الأَمْرُ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ . قَالَ وَأَبُو نَضْرَةَ اسْمُهُ الْمُنْذِرُ بْنُ مَالِكِ بْنِ قُطَعَةَ .
Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 238; Book 2, Hadith 90; Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 238
Furthermore, Hudhayfah bin Al Yamaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu says he performed salah with Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam one night. (It has been reported in a few narrations that this incident took place during a night of Ramadan. It is possible that this was tahajjud or Taraweeh salah). After commencing the salah he recited:
Allahu Akbar, dhul malakuti wal jabaruti wal kibri-yaa-i wal a-za-mati.
Translation: Allah is supreme! Lord of Dominion, Power, Majesty, and Magnificence.
He then recited (after the Faatihah) Surah Baqarah, and performed ruku'. The length of the ruku' was as long as the qiyaam (standing posture). (The 'ulama give two meanings to this and both are possible. The first is that the ruku' was as long as the qiyaam. For example, if the qiyaam was for one hour, the ruku' was also for about one hour. Accordingly, this mas-alah is established, that if the ruku' and sajdah are longer than normal, the salaah will be valid. The second is that the qiyaam was longer than normal. In this instance if the qiyaam was for an hour, and the ruku' for fifteen minutes, then too it will be truly explaining this hadith.
According to this saying the salaah remains in the normal manner. i.e. a fundamental action of salaah that was long, like qiyaam, remained long. And those that were short, like ruku' or sajdah, remained short. But certainly every fundamental action was longer than normal). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam repeated:
Subhaana rabbiyal azimi-Subhaana rabbiyal azimi.
Translation: Glory be to my Lord the Magnificient.
He lifted his head from the ruku' and stood. This standing was also long like that of the ruku'. At this moment he repeated:
Li rabbiyal hamdu-Li rabbiyal hamdu.
Translation: All praises are for my Lord. All praises are for my Lord.
He then performed the sajdah. The sajdah was as long as the qawmah (standing in between the ruku' and sajdah). and he recited:
Subhaana rabbiyal aa'laa-Subhaana rabbiyal aa'laa.
Translation: Glory be to my Lord the Exalted. Glory be to my Lord the Exalted.
He then sat up from the sajdah. This sitting was also long as that of the sajdah. Here he repeated:
Rabbigh-fir lee-Rabbig-fir lee.
Translation: O Lord forgive me. O Lord forgive me.
Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam recited in this salah Surah Baqarah, Surah Al 'Imran, Surah Nisa'a, Surah Maa-idah or Surah An'aam. The narrator (Sayyidina Shu'ba Radiyallahu'Anhu) is in doubt regarding the last two surahs, whether is it Maa-idah or An'aam.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ، رَجُلٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ، عَنْ رَجُلٍ مِنْ بَنِي عَبْسٍ، عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ الْيَمَانِ، أَنَّهُ صَلَّى مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنَ اللَّيْلِ، قَالَ: فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلاةِ، قَالَ: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ذُو الْمَلَكُوتِ وَالْجَبَرُوتِ، وَالْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ، قَالَ: ثُمَّ قَرَأَ الْبَقَرَةَ، ثُمَّ رَكَعَ رُكُوعَهُ نَحْوًا مِنْ قِيَامِهِ، وَكَانَ يَقُولُ: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ، سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ، فَكَانَ قِيَامُهُ نَحْوًا مِنْ رُكُوعِهِ، وَكَانَ يَقُولُ: لِرَبِّيَ الْحَمْدُ، لِرَبِّيَ الْحَمْدُ ثُمَّ سَجَدَ، فَكَانَ سُجُودُهُ نَحْوًا مِنْ قِيَامِهِ، وَكَانَ يَقُولُ: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى، سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ، فَكَانَ مَا بَيْنَ السَّجْدَتَيْنِ نَحْوًا مِنَ السُّجُودِ، وَكَانَ يَقُولُ: رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي حَتَّى قَرَأَ الْبَقَرَةَ، وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ، وَالنِّسَاءَ، وَالْمَائِدَةَ، أَوِ الأَنْعَامَ، شُعْبَةُ الَّذِي شَكَّ فِي الْمَائِدَةِ، وَالأَنْعَامِ.
Reference: Book 39, Hadith 260; Book 40, Hadith 275
In addition to this, Jabir ibn Samurah narrates that- The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite in the noon and afternoon prayer: "By the Heaven and the Morning Star" (Surah 86) and "By the Heaven, holding mansions of the stars" (Surah 85) and similar surahs of equal length. (Grade: Hasan Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ سِمَاكِ بْنِ حَرْبٍ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الظُّهْرِ وَالْعَصْرِ بِالسَّمَاءِ وَالطَّارِقِ وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الْبُرُوجِ وَنَحْوِهِمَا مِنَ السُّوَرِ .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 805; Book 2, Hadith 415; Book 3, Hadith 804
Marwan b. a-hakkam also said that Zaid b. Thabit asked me: Why do you recite short surahs in the sunset prayer? I saw the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) reciting two long surahs at the sunset prayers. I asked him: which are those two long surahs? He replied: Al-A’raf(surah vii) and al-an’am(surah vi). I ( the narrator Ibn Juraij) asked Ibn Mulaikah (about these surahs): He said on his own accord: Al-ma’idah (surah v) and al-A’raf(furah vii) [Grade: Sahih]
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ مَرْوَانَ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ، قَالَ قَالَ لِي زَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ مَا لَكَ تَقْرَأُ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ بِقِصَارِ الْمُفَصَّلِ وَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ بِطُولَى الطُّولَيَيْنِ قَالَ قُلْتُ مَا طُولَى الطُّولَيَيْنِ قَالَ الأَعْرَافُ وَالأُخْرَى الأَنْعَامُ . قَالَ وَسَأَلْتُ أَنَا ابْنَ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ فَقَالَ لِي مِنْ قِبَلِ نَفْسِهِ الْمَائِدَةُ وَالأَعْرَافُ .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 812; Book 2, Hadith 422; Book 2, Hadith 811
Another hadith Narrated by Samurah ibn Jundub says that- The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite in the Friday prayer: "Glorify the name of your most high Lord" (Surah 87) and Has the story of the overwhelming event reached you? (Surah 88). [Grade: Sahih]
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ مَعْبَدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ، عَنْ سَمُرَةَ بْنِ جُنْدُبٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي صَلاَةِ الْجُمُعَةِ { سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى } وَ { هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ الْغَاشِيَةِ } .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1125; Book 2, Hadith 736; Book 3, Hadith 1120
Ibn ‘Abbas (r.a) also said: the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite in the morning prayer on Friday Surah Tanzil al-Sajdah (xxxii) and Surah al-Dahr(lxxi) [Grade: Sahih]
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ مُخَوَّلِ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ، عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ الْبَطِينِ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ تَنْزِيلَ السَّجْدَةِ وَ { هَلْ أَتَى عَلَى الإِنْسَانِ حِينٌ مِنَ الدَّهْرِ } .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1074; Book 2, Hadith 685; Book 2, Hadith 1069
This tradition has also been transmitted through a different chain of narrators. This version adds: In the Friday prayer he would recite Surah al-Jumu’ah (lxxi) and Surah al-Munafiqunn. (Grade: Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ مُخَوَّلٍ، بِإِسْنَادِهِ وَمَعْنَاهُ وَزَادَ فِي صَلاَةِ الْجُمُعَةِ بِسُورَةِ الْجُمُعَةِ وَ { إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ } .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1075; Book 2, Hadith 686; Book 2, Hadith 1070
Abdullah bin Buraidah narrated that his father (Buraidah) said: "Allah's Messenger would recite: By the sun and its brightness (Surah 91), or similar Surah for the latter Isha (prayer)." (Grade: Hasan)
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْخُزَاعِيُّ الْبَصْرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُبَابِ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ وَاقِدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ فِي الْعِشَاءِ الآخِرَةِ بِالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا وَنَحْوِهَا مِنَ السُّوَرِ . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ وَأَنَسٍ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ بُرَيْدَةَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ . وَقَدْ رُوِيَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَرَأَ فِي الْعِشَاءِ الآخِرَةِ بِالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ . وَرُوِيَ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الْعِشَاءِ بِسُوَرٍ مِنْ أَوْسَاطِ الْمُفَصَّلِ نَحْوِ سُورَةِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَأَشْبَاهِهَا . وَرُوِيَ عَنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالتَّابِعِينَ أَنَّهُمْ قَرَءُوا بِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ هَذَا وَأَقَلَّ فَكَأَنَّ الأَمْرَ عِنْدَهُمْ وَاسِعٌ فِي هَذَا . وَأَحْسَنُ شَيْءٍ فِي ذَلِكَ مَا رُوِيَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَرَأَ بِالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا وَالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ .
Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 309; Book 2, Hadith 161; Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 309
Narrated Uqbah ibn Amir: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded me to recite Mu'awwidhatan (the last two surahs of the Qur'an) after every prayer. (Grade: Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ الْمُرَادِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، عَنِ اللَّيْثِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، أَنَّ حُنَيْنَ بْنَ أَبِي حَكِيمٍ، حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ عُلَىِّ بْنِ رَبَاحٍ اللَّخْمِيِّ، عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ، قَالَ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ أَقْرَأَ بِالْمُعَوِّذَاتِ دُبُرَ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ .
*Al-Mu'awwidhatan (Arabic: المعوذتان), sometimes translated as "Ayats of Refuge", is an Arabic term referring to the last two surahs (chapters) of the Qur'an, viz. al-Falaq (Surah 113), and An-Nās (Surah114), which are two consecutive short prayers both beginning with the verse "Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of...".Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1523; Book 8, Hadith 108; Book 8, Hadith 1518
Um al-fadl daughter of al-Harith said: I heard Ibn’Abbas reciting wa’l-mursalaturfan (surah lxxxvii). She said; sonny you have reminded me of this surah by your recitation. Thie is the last surah which I heard the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) reciting in the sunset prayer. (Grade: Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا الْقَعْنَبِيُّ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ أُمَّ الْفَضْلِ بِنْتَ الْحَارِثِ، سَمِعَتْهُ وَهُوَ، يَقْرَأُ { وَالْمُرْسَلاَتِ عُرْفًا } فَقَالَتْ يَا بُنَىَّ لَقَدْ ذَكَّرْتَنِي بِقِرَاءَتِكَ هَذِهِ السُّورَةَ إِنَّهَا لآخِرُ مَا سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ بِهَا فِي الْمَغْرِبِ .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 810; Book 2, Hadith 420; Book 2, Hadith 809
Moreover, Jubair b. Mut’im said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) reciting Al-Tur (surah lii) in the sunset prayer. (Grade: Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا الْقَعْنَبِيُّ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ مُطْعِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ بِالطُّورِ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 811; Book 2, Hadith 421; Book 2, Hadith 810
Narrated Abu Rafi': I offered the night prayer behind Abu Hurairah. He recited Surah Inshiqaq ("When the sky is rent asunder") and prostrated himself. I asked him: What is this prostration ? He replied: I prostrated myself on account of this (surah) behind Abu al-Qasim (i.e. the Prophet). I shall continue prostrating on account of this till I meet him.
(Grade: Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمُعْتَمِرُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا بَكْرٌ، عَنْ أَبِي رَافِعٍ، قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ الْعَتَمَةَ فَقَرَأَ { إِذَا السَّمَاءُ انْشَقَّتْ } فَسَجَدَ فَقُلْتُ مَا هَذِهِ السَّجْدَةُ قَالَ سَجَدْتُ بِهَا خَلْفَ أَبِي الْقَاسِمِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلاَ أَزَالُ أَسْجُدُ بِهَا حَتَّى أَلْقَاهُ .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1408; Book 7, Hadith 8; Book 7, Hadith 1403
The above-mention tradition has also been transmitted through a different chain of narrators by Humaid, but he did not mention the word “Supererogatory prayer” This version has: Al-Hasan (al-Basri) would recite fatihat al-kitab in the noon and afternoon prayers while he led in prayer or he was behind the imam and would glorify Allah, and would repeatedly say: “Allah is most great” and “ There is no god but Allah” (i.e takbir and tahlil) equal to the amount one recites al-Qaf (Surah 50) and al-Dhariyat (surah 51). [Grade: Sahih Maqtu']
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ، مِثْلَهُ لَمْ يَذْكُرِ التَّطَوُّعَ قَالَ كَانَ الْحَسَنُ يَقْرَأُ فِي الظُّهْرِ وَالْعَصْرِ إِمَامًا أَوْ خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ وَيُسَبِّحُ وَيُكَبِّرُ وَيُهَلِّلُ قَدْرَ ق وَالذَّارِيَاتِ .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 834; Book 2, Hadith 444; Book 2, Hadith 833
Likewise, Mu'adh ibn Abdullah al-Juhani narrated: A man of Juhaynah told him that he had heard the Prophet (ﷺ) reciting "When the earth is shaken" (Surah 99) in both rak'ahs of the morning prayer. But I do not know whether he had forgotten, or whether he recited it on purpose. (Grade: Hasan)
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرٌو، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي هِلاَلٍ، عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْجُهَنِيِّ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، مِنْ جُهَيْنَةَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ فِي الصُّبْحِ { إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الأَرْضُ } فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ كِلْتَيْهِمَا فَلاَ أَدْرِي أَنَسِيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَمْ قَرَأَ ذَلِكَ عَمْدًا .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 816; Book 2, Hadith 426; Book 3, Hadith 815
And, Anas (r.a) said: One of the Ansar used to lead the Ansar in Salat in the Quba' mosque and it was his habit to recite Qul Huwal-lahu Ahad whenever he wanted to recite something in Salat. When he finished that Surah, he would recite another one with it. He followed the same procedure in each Rak'a. His companions discussed this with him and said, "You recite this Surah and do not consider it sufficient and then you recite another. So would you recite it alone or leave it and recite some other." He said, "I will never leave it and if you want me to be your Imam on this condition then it is all right ; otherwise I will leave you." They knew that he was the best amongst them and they did not like someone else to lead them in Salat. When the Prophet (ﷺ) went to them as usual, they informed him about it. The Prophet (ﷺ) addressed him and said, "O so-and-so, what forbids you from doing what your companions ask you to do ? Why do you read this Surah particularly in every Rak'a ?" He repiled, "I love this Surah." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your love for this Surah will make you enter Paradise."
وَقَالَ عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ كَانَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ يَؤُمُّهُمْ فِي مَسْجِدِ قُبَاءٍ، وَكَانَ كُلَّمَا افْتَتَحَ سُورَةً يَقْرَأُ بِهَا لَهُمْ فِي الصَّلاَةِ مِمَّا يَقْرَأُ بِهِ افْتَتَحَ بِ ـ {قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ} حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْهَا، ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ سُورَةً أُخْرَى مَعَهَا، وَكَانَ يَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ، فَكَلَّمَهُ أَصْحَابُهُ فَقَالُوا إِنَّكَ تَفْتَتِحُ بِهَذِهِ السُّورَةِ، ثُمَّ لاَ تَرَى أَنَّهَا تُجْزِئُكَ حَتَّى تَقْرَأَ بِأُخْرَى، فَإِمَّا أَنْ تَقْرَأَ بِهَا وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَدَعَهَا وَتَقْرَأَ بِأُخْرَى. فَقَالَ مَا أَنَا بِتَارِكِهَا، إِنْ أَحْبَبْتُمْ أَنْ أَؤُمَّكُمْ بِذَلِكَ فَعَلْتُ، وَإِنْ كَرِهْتُمْ تَرَكْتُكُمْ. وَكَانُوا يَرَوْنَ أَنَّهُ مِنْ أَفْضَلِهِمْ، وَكَرِهُوا أَنْ يَؤُمَّهُمْ غَيْرُهُ، فَلَمَّا أَتَاهُمُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَخْبَرُوهُ الْخَبَرَ فَقَالَ " يَا فُلاَنُ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ أَنْ تَفْعَلَ مَا يَأْمُرُكَ بِهِ أَصْحَابُكَ وَمَا يَحْمِلُكَ عَلَى لُزُومِ هَذِهِ السُّورَةِ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ ". فَقَالَ إِنِّي أُحِبُّهَا. فَقَالَ " حُبُّكَ إِيَّاهَا أَدْخَلَكَ الْجَنَّةَ ".
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 774b; Book 10, Hadith 169; Vol. 1, Book 11, Hadith 741
However, Sufyan narrated: Ibn Shubruma said, "I wanted to see how much of the Qur'an can be enough (to recite in prayer) and I could not find a Surah containing less than three ayats, therefore I said to myself), "One ought not to recite less than three (Quranic) ayats (in prayer)."
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيٌّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ لِي ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ نَظَرْتُ كَمْ يَكْفِي الرَّجُلَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فَلَمْ أَجِدْ سُورَةً أَقَلَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثِ آيَاتٍ، فَقُلْتُ لاَ يَنْبَغِي لأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَقْرَأَ أَقَلَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثِ آيَاتٍ.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5051; Book 66, Hadith 75; Vol. 6, Book 61, Hadith 571
And also, Narrated by Aisha (r.a), Ummul Mu'minin: AbdulAziz ibn Jurayj said: I asked Aisha, mother of the believers: With which (surah) the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to observe witr? (She reported same as in the Hadith of Ubayy ibn Ka'b, No. 1418). This version adds: In the third rakah he would recite: "Say, He is Allah, the One" (Surah 112), and "Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak" (Surah 113), and "Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind" (Surah 114). [Grade: Sahih]
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ أَبِي شُعَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا خُصَيْفٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ بْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ أُمَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِأَىِّ شَىْءٍ كَانَ يُوتِرُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ مَعْنَاهُ قَالَ وَفِي الثَّالِثَةِ بِـ { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ } وَالْمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ .
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1424; Book 8, Hadith 9; Book 8, Hadith 1419
Rest Allah knows best.
Source: Sunnah.com