بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
The supererogatory Salat before the Subuh prayer is special. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said the performing the optional Salat is better than having the whole world and its fills. While performing the optional Salat, the Prophet would also recite Surah al-Kafirun and al-Ikhlas. The former during the first raka’ah and the latter during the second raka’ah.
But before going any further let’s look at the authentic Hadith regarding reciting those two Surahs when performing the Subuh Qobliyah prayer.
Hadith regarding Surah al-Kafirun and al-Ikhlas when performing the Subuh Qobliyah prayer
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ-رَضِيَ اَللَّهُ عَنْهُ-: { أَنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ - صلى الله عليه وسلم -قَرَأَ فِي رَكْعَتَيْ اَلْفَجْرِ: ( قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا اَلْكَافِرُونَ ) و: ( قُلْ هُوَ اَللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ) }
The Prophet (ﷺ) recited Surat al-Kafirun, and Surat al-Ikhlas in the two (voluntary) Rak’at of the Fajr (prayer).
Source: Bulugh al-Maram, Book 2, 268.
Narrated by: Abu Hurairah (RA)
وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما، قال رمقت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم شهرًا يقرأ في الركعتين قبل الفجر: {قل يا أيها الكافرون}، و: {قل هو الله أحد}. ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)).
I observed the Prophet (ﷺ) for one month reciting in the two supererogatory Raka’ah of the Fajr prayer Surat Al-Kafirun (No. 109) [in the first Rak’ah], and Surat al-Ikhlas (No. 112) [in the second Rak’ah].
Source: Riyad as-Salihin 1109
Narrated by: Ibn Umar (RA)
As you can see from the two hadiths above, the Prophet usually recited al-Kafirun and al-Ikhlas when performing the Salat Qobliyah Subuh. It is not a must for you to recite those two Surahs but you’ll be reviving the Prophet’s sunnah if you follow it.
And how else do you show your love for Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) if not by following His sunnahs. May Allah grant you many good deeds when you uphold the sunnahs.
The meanings of Surah al-Kafirun and al-Ikhlas
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “O you disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship, nor do you worship what I worship. I will never worship what you worship, nor will you ever worship what I worship.You have your way, and I have my Way.”
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “He is Allah—One ˹and Indivisible˺; Allah—the Sustainer ˹needed by all˺. He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him.”
Recitation of Surah al-Kafirun and al-Ikhlas
Conclusion about reciting Surah al-Kafirun and al-Ikhlas for Subuh Qobliyah prayer
Both Surahs are quite short with one coming with six ayahs and the other one with four ayahs. May it be easy for you to memorize both Surahs, InsyaAllah.
Following Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) sunnahs should be every Muslim’s aspiration. Lets try to replicate as much as we can as that is one of the ways to profess our love towards the Prophet other than saying the salawat.
As always, do share this article out to all of your family and friends. May it be one of the long lasting good deeds that rewards us well. Here and in the hereafter, InsyaAllah.
